scrub nurse
2
3.9
- noun
- /skrʌb nɜrs/
- Specialized
:
enfermera de quirófano
- The scrub nurse's role in the operating theatre is to assist the surgeon throughout the surgical procedure.
- working as a scrub nurse
But it doesn't make sense for the scrub nurse to make the incision.
- But it doesn't make sense for the scrub nurse to make the incision.
Examples
-
The scrub nurse assisted, sponging up blood and handing him hemostats.
Fiction book (1998) -
The scrub nurse was staring at him, her eyes wide over the surgical mask.
Fiction book (1998) -
Meet your volunteer scrub nurses.
-
A scrub nurse presents an operating tray to Bauman.
Fiction book (1992) -
He looked up and saw the scrub nurse frowning at him over her surgical mask.
Fiction book (1998) -
The scrub nurse took hold of the stainless steel retractors and gently tugged open the wound.
Fiction book (1998) -
The scrub nurse diligently prepared the surgical instruments for the operation.
-
During the surgery, the scrub nurse maintained a sterile field and passed tools to the surgeon.
-
As the scrub nurse handed the scalpel to the surgeon, she remained focused on keeping everything clean.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A person trained to care for sick people under a doctor's supervision
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound literally links 'scrub' (cleaning/scrubbing) with 'nurse', so a learner can infer it refers to a nurse involved with cleaning/sterility; the constituents thus provide a partial clue. However, the specific surgical role (assisting the surgeon, handling instruments, 'scrubbing in') is a specialized extension of 'scrub' that many B1 learners may not know, so the exact occupational meaning is not fully predictable.
Etymology
Scrub nurse comes from the action scrub, because these nurses wash their hands and arms carefully before an operation to keep things 'sterile'. They stand close to the surgeon to pass instruments and 'assist' during the operation, so the name helps you remember they keep the surgical area clean and ready.