Certified Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist MCQ 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instrument is used to approximate (bring together) the edges of a sternotomy incision after cardiac surgery?
- Bailey rib approximator
- Sternal wire passer and wire (Correct answer)
- Lebsche knife
- Finochietto retractor
Correct answer: Sternal wire passer and wire
Stainless steel wires are passed through or around the sternum and twisted together to close the sternotomy after open heart surgery.
Question 2: During a laparoscopic procedure, CO2 insufflation pressure is typically maintained at:
- 5–8 mmHg
- 10–15 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 20–25 mmHg
- 30–35 mmHg
Correct answer: 10–15 mmHg
CO2 pneumoperitoneum is maintained at 10–15 mmHg to provide adequate visualization while minimizing hemodynamic and respiratory effects.
Question 3: A patient scheduled for surgery is identified as NPO. This means the patient should:
- Receive IV fluids only through a central line
- Have nothing by mouth for the specified period before surgery (Correct answer)
- Be prepped with oral antiseptic rinse only
- Receive a nasogastric tube before induction
Correct answer: Have nothing by mouth for the specified period before surgery
NPO (nil per os) means nothing by mouth, preventing aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia induction.
Question 4: Which position is used for perineal procedures such as hemorrhoidectomy, placing the patient face down with hips flexed?
- Lithotomy
- Jackknife (Kraske) (Correct answer)
- Lateral decubitus
- Reverse Trendelenburg
Correct answer: Jackknife (Kraske)
The jackknife (Kraske) position places the patient prone with the hips over the table break, flexing the hips to expose the perineum and anus.
Question 5: Which suture material is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to bovine or ovine collagen products?
- Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
- Polypropylene (Prolene)
- Plain or chromic gut (Correct answer)
- Polyester (Ethibond)
Correct answer: Plain or chromic gut
Plain and chromic gut sutures are derived from sheep intestinal submucosa or bovine serosa and can trigger allergic reactions in sensitized patients.
Question 6: During a craniotomy, the surgical technologist should have which instrument ready to control bleeding from the bone edges?
- Electrosurgical pencil only
- Bone wax (Correct answer)
- Gelfoam pledgets only
- Bone rongeur
Correct answer: Bone wax
Bone wax is a sterile beeswax preparation applied to the cut edges of bone to mechanically occlude bleeding from bone marrow vessels.
Question 7: When setting up a sterile back table, the surgical technologist should place sharps (needles, blades) in which location?
- Randomly distributed across the back table for easy access
- In a designated sharps zone or needle counter mat at a consistent location (Correct answer)
- On the Mayo stand only, never on the back table
- Covered with a sterile towel between uses
Correct answer: In a designated sharps zone or needle counter mat at a consistent location
Sharps must be kept in a consistent, designated zone on the sterile field to prevent accidental needlestick injuries and facilitate accurate counting.
Certified Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist MCQ 5
Which instrument is used to approximate (bring together) the edges of a sternotomy incision after cardiac surgery?