Surgical Positioning and Draping Flashcards
7 cards from real CSFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Positioning and Draping flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of surgical draping?
Answer: To create and maintain a sterile field around the operative site
Surgical draping establishes and maintains a sterile field by covering all areas except the operative site, directly reducing the risk of surgical site infection.
When placing surgical drapes, the correct direction is to drape:
Answer: From the incision site outward to the periphery
Draping proceeds from the incision site outward to the periphery to protect the sterile operative area from contact with less-clean surrounding regions.
A fenestrated surgical drape contains:
Answer: A pre-cut opening that exposes the operative site
A fenestrated drape has a pre-cut opening (fenestration) positioned over the operative site, exposing only the area to be incised while keeping everything else covered.
When positioning a patient in the prone position, which combination of areas requires the most vigilant pressure injury protection?
Answer: Eyes, ears, breasts (women), genitalia (men), and bony prominences
In the prone position, the eyes, ears, breasts, male genitalia, and all bony prominences must be carefully padded and protected from direct pressure.
Which positioning device is most effective in preventing patient sliding during steep Trendelenburg position?
Answer: A vacuum bean bag or padded shoulder braces
Vacuum bean bags or padded shoulder braces are the most effective devices for preventing cephalad patient migration during steep Trendelenburg positioning.
The reverse Trendelenburg position tilts the patient so that:
Answer: The head is elevated above the feet
In reverse Trendelenburg, the table is tilted so the head is higher than the feet, used for upper abdominal surgery and laparoscopic procedures to allow viscera to fall away from the upper abdomen.
Which surgical position carries the greatest risk of venous air embolism?
Answer: Sitting (upright/beach chair)
The sitting (upright) position places the surgical site above the level of the heart, creating a negative pressure gradient that can entrain air into opened veins.