When counting laparotomy sponges, you count six. After counting them a second time, you still have six. What should you do next?

The correct course of action is to ask the circulator to take them out of the surgical suite and get another pack. This is important because maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring the safety of the patient is paramount in surgical procedures. If there is uncertainty about the number or condition of the sponges, removing the sponges from the surgical area prevents any potential mix-ups that could lead to retained foreign bodies. Getting a new pack also ensures that there is no risk of using sponges that may have already been counted improperly or that could compromise the sterility of the field.

Continuing to count them repeatedly may lead to unnecessary delays without guaranteeing resolution of the issue. Reporting to the surgeon may not be immediately necessary unless the sponges are confirmed to be more than expected or if there is a specific concern about sponge retention. Disposing of the sponges immediately without confirming their count could also result in complications, particularly if the count has not been verified, which could affect surgical safety and protocol compliance. Thus, proactively seeking a replacement while ensuring sterile conditions is the most appropriate and prudent action.