Which surgical instrument is designed with serrated tips, ring handles, ratchets, and box locks to firmly grasp curved needles for insertion?

• A. Retractors
• B. Scissors
• C. Forceps
• D. Needle holders

Answer: (D)

The instrument designed to firmly grasp curved needles for insertion is the needle holder. Its serrated tips grip the needle securely, the ring handles give precise control, and the ratchet with a box lock lets you lock the grip in place so you can advance the needle without losing your hold. This combination is specifically built for suturing, enabling steady, accurate needle passage through tissue.

Retractors keep tissue open, scissors cut, and forceps grasp tissue or other objects; none of these are optimized to hold and drive a curved needle with a locking grip the way a needle holder is.