CSFA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CSFA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, which materials are incompatible with this process? → Cellulose-based materials such as paper or linen
2. Which of the following accurately describes the purpose of a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain in postoperative care? → To evacuate fluid and blood from a surgical site using closed suction
3. Which type of surgical drain relies on gravity and capillary action for passive drainage, without suction? → Penrose drain
4. Which muscle is responsible for plantar flexion AND inversion of the foot, making it important in clubfoot deformity correction? → Tibialis posterior
5. Which intervention is MOST effective in preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty? → Combination of pharmacologic anticoagulation and mechanical compression devices
6. Which layer of the abdominal wall is closed with a running or interrupted suture using a heavy delayed-absorbable or permanent suture for fascial strength? → Anterior rectus fascia / aponeurosis
7. When closing a midline laparotomy incision using a running suture, what suture-to-wound length ratio is recommended to minimize dehiscence? → 4:1
8. A patient develops bronchospasm during anesthesia induction. Which drug class is the FIRST-LINE bronchodilator used intraoperatively? → Beta-2 agonists
9. Which physiologic response describes the shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right, favoring oxygen release to tissues? → Bohr effect caused by decreased pH, increased CO2, and increased 2,3-DPG
10. Which layer of the abdominal wall is avascular and serves as a surgical landmark during laparotomy closures? → Scarpa's fascia
11. Before applying surgical drapes, what must the surgical team verify? → The skin prep solution is dry and the correct operative site is confirmed
12. A scrub technologist notices a hole in the outer wrap of a sterile pack just before opening it. The correct action is to: → Return the pack to sterile processing for repackaging and re-sterilization
13. What is the correct needle holder technique when driving a curved needle through tissue? → Follow the arc of the needle's curvature with a pronating wrist motion
14. In thoracic surgery, which structure lies immediately posterior to the esophagus in the posterior mediastinum and is at risk during esophagectomy? → Descending thoracic aorta
15. A surgical robot's 'EndoWrist' instruments are designed to provide what advantage over straight laparoscopic instruments? → Seven degrees of freedom with 360° articulation, mimicking open surgical hand movement
16. Which intravenous anesthetic agent is preferred for patients with a history of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) due to its antiemetic properties? → Propofol
17. Which volatile anesthetic agent is CONTRAINDICATED in patients with a known or suspected susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia? → Sevoflurane
18. Which medication is used intraoperatively to treat acute intraoperative anaphylaxis as the DRUG OF CHOICE? → Epinephrine
19. During an open cholecystectomy, the surgical first assistant must identify Calot's triangle. Which THREE structures define this anatomical triangle? → Common hepatic duct, liver edge, and cystic duct
20. What is the correct sequence for surgical hand antisepsis using a surgical hand scrub? → Scrub fingernails and subungual areas first, then hands, wrists, and forearms
21. Which nerve is most at risk for compression injury in the lithotomy position due to prolonged hip flexion and external rotation? → Common peroneal nerve
22. The hepatoduodenal ligament (free edge of the lesser omentum) contains all of the following EXCEPT: → Hepatic veins
23. A patient returning from a 4-hour laparoscopic procedure is shivering vigorously in the PACU with a core temperature of 35.2°C. The PRIORITY intervention is: → Active external rewarming with forced-air warming blanket
24. Which knot is most appropriate when tying a deep pelvic suture with limited visibility and restricted hand movement? → Instrument tie
25. During a cesarean section, the surgical first assistant assists with uterine closure. Which suture configuration is most commonly used for the uterine incision? → Two-layer closure with running absorbable suture
26. When assisting during an open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, what maneuver is performed to control proximal hemorrhage before clamping the aorta? → Infrarenal aortic compression against the spine
27. Which of the following is the correct rate for adult chest compressions during CPR according to the AHA guidelines? → 100-120 compressions per minute
28. Gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) achieves hemostasis primarily by which mechanism? → Providing a scaffold for platelet aggregation and clot formation
29. What is the primary purpose of a chemical indicator (CI) placed inside a sterilization pack? → Confirm the pack was exposed to the sterilant parameters
30. Which surgical specialty case would most likely be classified as a clean-contaminated (Class II) wound? → Elective sigmoid colectomy with bowel entered under controlled conditions