Which of the following is recommended to mark the surgical site?

• A. Sharpie
• B. Pen with a ball point
• C. Gentian violet
• D. All of the above

Answer: (C)

Marking the surgical site requires a durable, visible mark that can withstand skin prep and draping while staying within sterile technique. Gentian violet is used for this purpose because it provides a persistent dye on the skin that remains visible after routine preps and is safe for application to the patient’s skin when used as directed. This helps ensure the correct site is identified before you proceed, reducing the risk of wrong-site surgery.

In contrast, a Sharpie or a ballpoint pen are not ideal for sterile surgical marking: their ink can smear, fade, or be removed by prep solutions, and they are not designed for use in the sterile field. That’s why the all-of-the-above option isn’t suitable here; Gentian violet is the recommended choice.