Certified Surgical Technologist Basics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer of the surgical drape is considered the sterile field boundary?
- The entire drape surface
- Only the area directly over the incision site
- The top surface of the drape at table level and above (Correct answer)
- The underside of the drape closest to the patient
Correct answer: The top surface of the drape at table level and above
The sterile field includes the top surface of the drape at table level and above; anything below table level is considered contaminated.
Question 2: When passing a scalpel to the surgeon, the surgical technologist should:
- Hand it handle-first with the blade facing upward
- Place it in a neutral zone (basin or pad) to avoid direct hand-to-hand transfer (Correct answer)
- Pass it blade-first so the surgeon can grasp the handle
- Announce 'blade' and hand it directly blade-down
Correct answer: Place it in a neutral zone (basin or pad) to avoid direct hand-to-hand transfer
AORN recommends using a neutral zone (hands-free technique) when passing sharp instruments to reduce sharps injuries.
Question 3: The term 'counts' in the OR refers to:
- Tracking the number of surgical team members present
- Reconciling sponges, sharps, and instruments before wound closure (Correct answer)
- Recording the amount of irrigation fluid used
- Counting the number of suture packets opened
Correct answer: Reconciling sponges, sharps, and instruments before wound closure
Counts involve reconciling sponges, sharps, and instruments at specific intervals to prevent retained surgical items.
Question 4: Which suture material is classified as absorbable?
- Silk
- Nylon (Ethilon)
- Polyglycolic acid (Dexon) (Correct answer)
- Polypropylene (Prolene)
Correct answer: Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
Polyglycolic acid (Dexon) is a synthetic absorbable suture that is broken down by hydrolysis in body tissues.
Question 5: The purpose of a Mayo stand in the OR is to:
- Hold the patient's legs during lithotomy positioning
- Provide a sterile surface for frequently used instruments during surgery (Correct answer)
- Support the anesthesia machine and monitoring equipment
- Store sterile supplies until needed for the next case
Correct answer: Provide a sterile surface for frequently used instruments during surgery
The Mayo stand is positioned over or near the sterile field to hold instruments that the scrub tech hands to the surgeon most frequently.
Question 6: Which action breaks sterile technique during a procedure?
- Keeping gloved hands above the level of the OR table
- Reaching over the sterile field without touching it
- Turning your back on the sterile field while gowned and gloved (Correct answer)
- Adding sterile supplies by dropping them onto the sterile field
Correct answer: Turning your back on the sterile field while gowned and gloved
A sterile gown is only sterile on the front from chest to table level and the sleeves; turning your back to the field creates an unmonitored contamination risk.
Question 7: Electrosurgical unit (ESU) grounding pads should be placed:
- Directly over a bony prominence for best contact
- On a well-vascularized, hair-free muscle mass close to the surgical site (Correct answer)
- On the patient's chest to minimize current travel distance
- Anywhere convenient as long as the pad adheres fully
Correct answer: On a well-vascularized, hair-free muscle mass close to the surgical site
The dispersive electrode (grounding pad) should be placed on a well-vascularized muscle mass, avoiding bony prominences, scar tissue, and metal implants.
Certified Surgical Technologist Basics 2
Which layer of the surgical drape is considered the sterile field boundary?