Which instrument would you use to incise or cut skin in a surgical procedure?

The scalpel is the correct instrument to use for incising or cutting skin during a surgical procedure due to its sharp blade design, which allows for precise and clean cuts. It is specifically designed for surgical applications, making it ideal for initiating incisions on various types of tissue, including skin. The scalpel typically has a sterile blade that can be replaced as needed, ensuring optimal sharpness and minimizing the risk of tissue damage during surgical procedures.

In contrast, a dental elevator is designed to assist in the extraction of teeth and would not be suitable for making incisions in the skin. The spay hook is primarily used for retrieving the ovaries during spay surgeries and is not intended for cutting skin. Forceps are instruments used to grasp or manipulate tissue but lack the cutting capability needed for incisional purposes. Thus, the scalpel stands out as the most appropriate tool for surgical incisions.