Random Flashcards
7 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 7 Random flashcards as text
The correct order of the sponge, instrument, and sharp count during a surgical procedure is:
Answer: Before the procedure, before closure, after closure
Counts are performed at three key points: initially before the procedure starts, before cavity closure, and after wound closure is complete.
Which draping technique is used to create a sterile field around the surgical incision site?
Answer: Fenestrated draping
A fenestrated (aperture) drape has a pre-cut opening positioned over the incision site to expose only the operative area while covering the rest of the patient.
When handing a scalpel to the surgeon, the surgical technologist should:
Answer: Place it on a neutral zone on the sterile field
Sharps should be passed via a neutral zone (hands-free technique) to reduce the risk of needlestick or scalpel injury to either party.
Which surgical position is associated with the highest risk of air embolism?
Answer: Sitting (beach chair)
The sitting position elevates the operative site above the heart, creating negative venous pressure that can draw air into open vessels, causing air embolism.
The purpose of using a skin stapler instead of sutures for wound closure is to:
Answer: Reduce closure time and lower infection rates in some wounds
Skin staplers allow rapid closure with less tissue handling, and some studies show comparable or lower infection rates versus percutaneous sutures.
Flash sterilization (immediate-use steam sterilization) should be used:
Answer: Only when no other sterilized instrument is available for immediate patient use
Flash sterilization is reserved for situations where a needed instrument is unavailable and immediate use is required; it should not replace routine sterilization processes.
During a total knee replacement, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) is used to:
Answer: Anchor prosthetic components to the bone
Bone cement bonds the prosthetic implant components to the resected bone surfaces, providing immediate fixation in cemented arthroplasty.