Wound Closure and Postoperative Management Flashcards
6 cards from real Certified Surgical Technologist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Wound Closure and Postoperative Management flashcards as text
Which of the following suture materials is absorbable?
Answer: Polyglactin (Vicryl)
Polyglactin (Vicryl) is a synthetic absorbable suture that is broken down by hydrolysis over approximately 56–70 days.
The primary advantage of monofilament sutures over braided (multifilament) sutures is:
Answer: Less tissue drag and reduced risk of harboring infection
Monofilament sutures have a smooth surface that produces less tissue drag and fewer interstices where bacteria can colonize, lowering infection risk.
What does the 'size' designation of a suture (e.g., 2-0, 4-0) indicate?
Answer: Diameter of the suture material
Suture size refers to the diameter of the strand; higher numbers after a dash (e.g., 4-0) indicate smaller diameter sutures.
Retention (tension) sutures are used primarily to:
Answer: Provide additional support to a wound at high risk for dehiscence
Retention sutures are large, widely placed sutures that reinforce fascial closure in obese, malnourished, or high-risk patients to prevent wound dehiscence.
Skin staples used for wound closure are primarily composed of:
Answer: Stainless steel
Standard surgical skin staples are made of stainless steel, which is biocompatible, strong, and causes minimal tissue reaction.
Which closure technique describes suturing the wound in discrete individual loops, each tied separately?
Answer: Interrupted suture
Interrupted sutures are placed as separate loops; if one suture fails, the others maintain wound integrity — preferred in infected or high-risk wounds.