Tourniquets?

Having been both a circulating nurse and PACU nurse, I have to admit I would have flipped also.

Even though the cuff was not inflated, when you place a cuff on an extremity you put it on the extremity as snug as you can so that it doesn't slip during positioning/draping prior to inflation. Even though this cuff was not inflated it is likely that it was to some degree interfering with circulation, especially given post-operative swelling/edema. Had the PACU nurse not spotted it there could have been considerable damage done to the patient - nerve, vascular, compartment syndrome problems etc.

In instances like this, "we nurses are blamed" because actually as a circulator you were to blame for this even if you didn't put it on and even if someone else at the field usually takes if off. Being the last line of defense for your patient is the circulator's primary role and responsibility in the OR. It is your job to intervene, even if it isn't your job. I know this sounds harsh, especially as you are new, but instead of getting ticked off about being blamed for this you should be thankful that it was caught and no harm was done. Lear from this experience!

Thanks for the input. I was merely trying to understand how this could have caused harm to the pt. I understand now. I was not ticked off. I was confused.