Which item is part of the surgical checklist?

• A. When the patient last ate food or drank fluids
• B. Whether any special equipment, devices or implants will be needed
• C. Whom the surgeon should talk to after surgery
• D. What pharmacy the patient uses

Answer: (B)

Ensuring that any special equipment, devices, or implants will be needed is a key part of the surgical safety checklist. Before the incision, the team confirms that all required items are available, properly prepared, and appropriate for the patient and procedure. This includes instruments, devices, implants (such as prosthetics or intraoperative hardware), and any specialized equipment. Verifying these details ahead of time helps prevent last‑minute scrambles, ensures compatibility with the patient’s anatomy and the planned operation, and reduces the risk of intraoperative delays or device-related complications.

The other options relate to preoperative instructions or postoperative planning rather than the safety checklist itself. For example, NPO status is typically documented during preop assessment, postoperative communication planning is part of care planning, and medication history like pharmacy use is handled through medication reconciliation.