Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a procedure, the surgeon asks for a clamp to grasp the fascia. Which of the following instruments is designed with sharp, interlocking teeth, making it suitable for securely holding this tough tissue, even though it is considered traumatic?
- Babcock clamp
- Allis clamp (Correct answer)
- Foerster sponge forceps
- DeBakey forceps
Correct answer: Allis clamp
The Allis clamp is designed with short, sharp, interlocking teeth to grasp tough, fibrous tissue like fascia or tissue that is being removed. [14, 8] It is considered a traumatic clamp. A Babcock clamp is atraumatic with fenestrated, rounded jaws for delicate tissues. [19] Foerster forceps are used for holding sponges, and DeBakey forceps are atraumatic and used for delicate vascular tissue.
Question 2: During a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon notes that the abdomen is deflating and the pneumoperitoneum is difficult to maintain. The surgical technologist should anticipate a problem with which piece of equipment?
- The light source
- The electrosurgical unit (ESU)
- The insufflator (Correct answer)
- The video camera
Correct answer: The insufflator
The insufflator is the device responsible for delivering CO2 gas to the abdominal cavity to create and maintain the pneumoperitoneum. [12, 21] A failure to maintain abdominal distention points directly to an issue with the insufflator, its settings, the CO2 tank, or the tubing and connections to the trocar.
Question 3: Which of the following instruments is primarily classified in the cutting and dissecting category?
- Weitlaner retractor
- DeBakey forceps
- Metzenbaum scissors (Correct answer)
- Poole suction tip
Correct answer: Metzenbaum scissors
Metzenbaum scissors are designed for cutting and dissecting delicate tissues. [3, 2] The Weitlaner is a self-retaining retractor (retracting/exposing), DeBakey forceps are for grasping delicate tissue (grasping/holding), and the Poole suction tip is for aspirating fluid (suctioning/aspirating).
Question 4: On a ring-handled instrument, such as a hemostat or needle driver, what is the name of the interlocking mechanism that holds the jaws in a closed position?
- Box lock
- Shank
- Jaw
- Ratchet (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ratchet
The ratchet is the component with interlocking teeth located on the shanks of the instrument, which allows it to be locked at various degrees of pressure. [7, 16] The box lock is the hinge, the shank is the body, and the jaws are the working tips of the instrument.
Question 5: A surgical technologist is preparing powered instruments, such as a drill and saw, for decontamination after an orthopedic procedure. What is the MOST critical first step according to standard guidelines?
- Place the entire assembly in an ultrasonic cleaner to loosen bioburden.
- Immerse the handpiece and attachments in an enzymatic soak.
- Disassemble the components and wipe them down, keeping the power unit/cable connections dry. (Correct answer)
- Send the assembled instruments directly to central sterile processing without pre-cleaning.
Correct answer: Disassemble the components and wipe them down, keeping the power unit/cable connections dry.
Powered surgical instruments cannot be fully submerged due to their electrical components. The correct initial step is to follow the manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU), which typically involves disassembling the device, wiping down the exterior, and manually cleaning attachments, while ensuring the power unit, cable, and battery housing remain dry to prevent damage. [31, 26]
Question 6: During a craniotomy, the surgeon requires a self-retaining retractor system that can be fixed to the skull and uses flexible arms to gently retract delicate brain tissue. Which of the following retractors would be appropriate?
- Balfour retractor
- Leyla-Yasargil retractor (Correct answer)
- Bookwalter retractor
- Weitlaner retractor
Correct answer: Leyla-Yasargil retractor
The Leyla-Yasargil retractor is a specialized, self-retaining brain retractor used in neurosurgery. [9, 10] It attaches to a fixation base on the skull and uses flexible arms to hold brain spatulas for gentle retraction. [4, 18] The Balfour, Bookwalter, and Weitlaner retractors are used for abdominal, pelvic, or general surgery. [6, 15]
Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment Questions and Answers
During a procedure, the surgeon asks for a clamp to grasp the fascia.
Which of the following instruments is designed with sharp, interlocking teeth, making it suitable for securely holding this tough tissue, even though it is considered traumatic?