During room preparation, which step involves pushing the Mayo stand to the side out of traffic?

• A. Open sterile packets and drop sterile instruments on the field without contaminating them
• B. Confirm that the room is clean and all surfaces have been disinfected
• C. Gather any necessary equipment or supplies
• D. Push the Mayo stand to the side out of traffic

Answer: (D)

Maintaining a safe, clear path around the sterile field is essential during room setup. The Mayo stand is a movable surface that holds instruments and supplies used in the procedure. Pushing it to the side out of traffic reduces obstacles and helps prevent accidental contact with sterile items or contamination of the field as staff move around the room. This step directly supports keeping the sterile field intact and minimizes interruptions or accidents during the procedure.

Other prepping tasks, like opening sterile packets, confirming cleanliness, or gathering equipment, are important for overall readiness, but they don’t specifically address managing traffic and keeping the pathway clear around the sterile field in the moment.