During a thoracotomy procedure, a cardiac arrest occurs. What is the surgical technologist's responsibility?

During a thoracotomy procedure, if a cardiac arrest occurs, the surgical technologist’s responsibility is to prepare the internal defibrillator paddles. In the setting of an emergency such as cardiac arrest, timely intervention is critical. The internal defibrillator paddles are essential for delivering electrical shocks directly to the heart to restore a normal rhythm, and their prompt preparation is crucial for the surgical team to respond effectively to the situation.

While other responsibilities, like informing the family, suctioning the airway, or counting surgical instruments, are important in their respective contexts, they do not directly address the immediate medical emergency of cardiac arrest within the operating room. The priority in this scenario is to resume the heart's function as quickly as possible, making the preparation of defibrillator paddles the most critical action a surgical technologist can take at that moment.