Certified Surgical Technologist Basics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Trendelenburg position places the patient:
- On their side with the operative side up
- Supine with the head elevated 30–45 degrees
- Supine with the head tilted downward and feet elevated (Correct answer)
- Prone with the head turned to the side
Correct answer: Supine with the head tilted downward and feet elevated
Trendelenburg position is supine with the head down and feet up, commonly used for lower abdominal and pelvic surgeries.
Question 2: Which type of wound closure uses staples or sutures placed through all layers of the abdominal wall?
- Primary closure
- Secondary closure
- Retention (tension) sutures (Correct answer)
- Delayed primary closure
Correct answer: Retention (tension) sutures
Retention (tension) sutures are large sutures placed through all layers of the abdominal wall to prevent wound dehiscence in high-risk patients.
Question 3: Flash sterilization (IUSS) is best described as:
- A cold chemical sterilization method for heat-sensitive items
- Rapid steam sterilization of unwrapped instruments for immediate use (Correct answer)
- EtO sterilization with a shortened aeration cycle
- Plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide vapor
Correct answer: Rapid steam sterilization of unwrapped instruments for immediate use
Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS/flash) uses high-temperature steam on unwrapped items intended for immediate use, not for storage.
Question 4: Which instrument is used to retract the liver during upper abdominal procedures?
- Deaver retractor (Correct answer)
- Army-Navy retractor
- Senn retractor
- Weitlaner retractor
Correct answer: Deaver retractor
The Deaver retractor is a large, curved, handheld retractor commonly used to retract the liver and other large organs.
Question 5: The 'sterile conscience' principle means the surgical technologist must:
- Report all contamination events, even self-caused ones, immediately (Correct answer)
- Keep all sterile items covered until the surgeon enters the room
- Defer to the surgeon's judgment when a contamination event is questionable
- Document every item opened onto the sterile field
Correct answer: Report all contamination events, even self-caused ones, immediately
A sterile conscience requires every team member to immediately report any break in sterile technique, regardless of who caused it.
Question 6: Which dressing type is most appropriate for a wound with heavy exudate?
- Transparent film dressing (e.g., Tegaderm)
- Hydrocolloid dressing
- Wet-to-dry gauze dressing
- Alginate dressing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Alginate dressing
Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and ideal for wounds with heavy drainage, as they form a gel on contact with exudate.
Question 7: Standard surgical attire in the semi-restricted OR area requires:
- Full gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection at all times
- Scrub suit, surgical cap covering all hair, and closed-toe shoes (Correct answer)
- Street clothes covered by a disposable gown when entering
- Scrub suit and mask only when sterile items are present
Correct answer: Scrub suit, surgical cap covering all hair, and closed-toe shoes
Semi-restricted areas require scrub attire with all hair covered by a surgical cap and appropriate footwear, but masks are required only in restricted areas.
Certified Surgical Technologist Basics 3
The Trendelenburg position places the patient: