Which instruments should be passed to a surgeon to achieve hemostasis at the beginning of an operation? (Select three correct answers.)

To achieve hemostasis at the beginning of an operation, the instruments used are those that either directly control bleeding or aid in the identification and access to blood vessels that need to be addressed. The electrosurgical pen, also referred to as an electrocautery or diathermy device, is specifically designed to cut and coagulate tissue with electrical current, thus controlling bleeding effectively. This makes it a critical instrument for achieving hemostasis early in the surgical process.

In this context, while other instruments like the scalpel are necessary for making incisions, they do not directly contribute to controlling bleeding. Sponge forceps can be helpful in manipulating sponges to absorb blood but are not primarily focused on hemostasis. A suction device is essential for clearing blood from the surgical field but does not stop bleeding itself. Consequently, the electrosurgical pen stands out as the principal instrument for managing hemostasis at the onset of surgery.