SELF/Perioperative Nursing/Laparoscopy Setup/Psychomotor Skills Practice Assessment

Assessment Rubric: Laparoscopy Setup and Assistance – Perioperative Nursing (ECSACONM)

Overview

This page provides a psychomotor assessment rubric for laparoscopy setup and assistance, developed for perioperative nursing training under ECSACONM (East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing). It accompanies the corresponding psychomotor skills practice worksheet and is used to assess learner performance across each step.

Each step is assessed by one of two methods. Articulated steps are scored as either "Not done" (clinically unacceptable) or "Done" (excellent), with no intermediate levels. Observed steps are scored on a five-point scale, with performance anchors defined at level 1 (clinically unacceptable), level 3 (clinically acceptable), and level 5 (excellent); levels 2 and 4 represent performance between the defined anchors. The Assistant column records the task expected of the assisting learner where applicable.

Assessment Rubric

#	Step Name	Assistant	Assessment Method	1 – Clinically Unacceptable	3 – Clinically Acceptable	5 – Excellent
1	Prepare laparoscopic equipment and sterile supplies	N/A	Articulated	Not done		Done
2	Verify procedure requirements	N/A	Articulated	Not done		Done
3	Position laparoscopic tower and monitor	Assists with moving and positioning tower	Observed	Tower blocks team movement, monitor position is unsuitable for viewing, cables create hazards, or wheels remain unlocked.	Tower is positioned opposite the surgeon, monitor at appropriate viewing height, wheels locked, and cables routed safely.	Tower placement optimizes ergonomics, movement, visualization, and cable management without requiring adjustment.
4	Connect power and perform initial equipment check	N/A	Observed	Equipment connected incorrectly, startup sequence incomplete, warning messages ignored, or faulty equipment not identified.	All equipment connected securely, powered on correctly, startup checks completed, and faults identified before proceeding.	Performs systematic startup efficiently while identifying and correcting minor problems before testing continues.
5	Assemble, connect, and test insufflation system	Connects CO₂ source if required	Observed	Gas source, tubing, or settings incorrect; alarms ignored; leaks or abnormal function not recognized.	Correct gas source connected, tubing secure, prescribed pressure and flow set, and normal function confirmed.	Performs a complete functional check efficiently, recognizes subtle abnormalities, and verifies readiness without prompting.
6	Assemble and connect camera system	N/A	Observed	Components connected incorrectly or image quality not verified before completion.	Camera, scope, and cables connected correctly with a clear, stable image demonstrated.	System assembled efficiently with excellent image quality and immediate recognition of any connection issues.
7	Assemble and connect light source	N/A	Observed	Cable connected unsafely, damaged cable overlooked, or illumination inadequate.	Light cable inspected, connected correctly, and produces stable illumination without unsafe routing.	Demonstrates excellent cable handling, optimal routing, and verifies illumination while preventing cable damage.
8	Assemble suction, irrigation, and smoke evacuation systems	Assists with wall suction and smoke evacuation connections	Observed	Tubing assembled incorrectly, leaks present, system not primed, or function not tested.	Tubing assembled correctly, primed, tested, and functioning without leaks.	Performs efficient setup while anticipating and correcting potential assembly errors before testing.
9	Connect and test energy systems	Assists with foot pedal placement and accessory acquisition	Observed	Incorrect accessories, incorrect settings, damaged equipment overlooked, or activation not tested safely.	Correct equipment assembled, settings verified, accessories compatible, and activation tested safely.	Demonstrates systematic inspection, confirms compatibility independently, and identifies subtle equipment defects.
10	Inspect and organize laparoscopic instruments	Obtains replacements when requested	Articulated	Cannot articulate how to inspect instruments or misses major defects such as damaged insulation, stiff jaws, missing parts, or wrong instruments.	Correctly articulates inspection of tips, jaws, shafts, insulation, handles, locks, rotation, and logical organization by function.
11	Establish sterile laparoscopic field	Opens supplies aseptically	Observed	Sterile field contaminated or instruments arranged in a disorganized manner.		Maintains excellent sterile awareness while organizing equipment for efficient workflow and anticipating surgical needs.
12	Drape camera, cables, and sterile equipment	Holds non-sterile portions during draping	Observed	Sterile covers torn, contamination occurs, or equipment function compromised.		Applies covers smoothly while maintaining sterility and preventing cable tension or connection problems.
13	White balance, focus, and prepare visualization system	Assists with image display if needed	Observed	White balance omitted, image remains blurred, poorly orientated, or colour inaccurate.		Optimizes focus, colour, brightness, and orientation rapidly while confirming excellent visualization.
14	Perform pre-procedure system readiness check	Assists with troubleshooting if needed	Observed	One or more systems not tested or equipment faults remain unidentified.		Performs a comprehensive verification efficiently while identifying and resolving minor faults independently.
15	Participate in surgical safety briefing	N/A	Articulated	Not done		Done
16	Manage laparoscopic equipment during surgery	Provides supplies and operates non-sterile equipment as requested	Observed	Equipment requests delayed, poor organization interrupts workflow, or equipment readiness not maintained.	Responds appropriately to equipment needs while maintaining organized equipment throughout the procedure.	Anticipates equipment requirements, maintains continuous readiness, and supports uninterrupted surgical flow.
17	Perform point-of-use instrument cleaning and protection	N/A	Articulated	Not done		Done
18	Complete counts, specimen handling, and equipment handoff	N/A	Articulated	Not done		Done

References

Page data
Keywords	surgery, health
SDG	SDG03 Good health and well-being
Authors	Ian-laurel
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Organizations	SELF, ECSACONM
Language	English (en)
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Created	July 29, 2026 by Ian-laurel-1
Last edit	July 29, 2026 by StandardWikitext bot
Cite as	Ian-laurel-1 (2026). "SELF/Perioperative Nursing/Laparoscopy Setup/Psychomotor Skills Practice Assessment". Appropedia. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
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