Certified Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instrument is specifically used to clamp and divide the cystic duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
- Babcock clamp
- Hem-o-lok clip applier (Correct answer)
- Kocher clamp
- Allis clamp
Correct answer: Hem-o-lok clip applier
Hem-o-lok polymer clips are applied to the cystic duct and cystic artery with a clip applier before division during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Question 2: A patient with a documented latex allergy is scheduled for surgery. Which glove material should the surgical team use?
- Powdered latex gloves
- Latex gloves without powder
- Neoprene or nitrile synthetic gloves (Correct answer)
- Vinyl gloves for all team members
Correct answer: Neoprene or nitrile synthetic gloves
Neoprene or nitrile synthetic gloves are the appropriate latex-free alternative for patients and staff with latex allergies.
Question 3: During a total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon uses a pneumatic tourniquet. What is the maximum recommended inflation time to prevent ischemic injury?
- 30 minutes
- 60 minutes
- 90 minutes (Correct answer)
- 120 minutes
Correct answer: 90 minutes
Pneumatic tourniquet inflation is generally limited to 90 minutes to reduce the risk of ischemia, nerve damage, and compartment syndrome.
Question 4: Which electrosurgical mode cuts tissue with minimal hemostasis by using a continuous high-frequency current?
- Fulguration
- Coagulation
- Pure cut (Correct answer)
- Bipolar coagulation
Correct answer: Pure cut
Pure cut mode delivers a continuous waveform that vaporizes tissue rapidly with little lateral thermal spread, providing minimal hemostasis.
Question 5: When counting sponges at the end of a case and the count is incorrect, what is the FIRST action the surgical technologist should take?
- Notify the surgeon immediately (Correct answer)
- Search the sterile field and the patient's wound
- Complete an incident report
- Close the wound and recount outside
Correct answer: Notify the surgeon immediately
The surgeon must be notified immediately of an incorrect count so wound closure can be halted and a search initiated.
Question 6: Which nerve is at greatest risk during a thyroidectomy and must be identified and preserved?
- Vagus nerve
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve (Correct answer)
- Phrenic nerve
- Hypoglossal nerve
Correct answer: Recurrent laryngeal nerve
The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove near the thyroid and controls vocal cord movement; injury causes hoarseness or voice loss.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the 'time-out' performed immediately before a surgical incision?
- To allow the anesthesiologist to administer the final drug dose
- To verify patient identity, procedure, site, and antibiotic administration (Correct answer)
- To confirm all instruments have been counted
- To allow the surgeon to review imaging
Correct answer: To verify patient identity, procedure, site, and antibiotic administration
The surgical time-out is a WHO safety checklist step that actively confirms correct patient, correct procedure, correct site, and antibiotic prophylaxis before incision.
Certified Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist MCQ 3
Which instrument is specifically used to clamp and divide the cystic duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?