Which instrument is used for removing scalpel blades, holding tourniquets, clamping vessels, and holding skin tags and toenails, and may be curved or straight?

• A. Iris scissors
• B. Needle holder
• C. Hemostats (also called clamps)
• D. Adson forceps

Answer: (C)

Hemostats are the versatile gripping instruments designed to control bleeding and handle small tissues during procedures. They clamp vessels to stop bleeding, which makes them essential for maintaining a clean field. Their jaws can grip skin tags, toenails, or other small tissues securely, and they can also be used to hold or secure a tourniquet in place. The ability to come in curved or straight shapes lets you reach different angles and workspaces. A key feature is the locking mechanism (the ratchet), which lets you maintain clamping pressure without continuous hand effort—great when you need a steady hold while you work or remove a blade safely. Iris scissors are for delicate cutting, needle holders are for suturing, and Adson forceps are for tissue grasping without a locking clamp, so they don’t offer the same clamping versatility and locking capability as hemostats.