Certified Surgical Technologist Intraoperative Procedures 3

Question 1

During a craniotomy, bone wax is used to:

Accepted Answer

Control bleeding from cancellous bone of the skull

Answer

Bone wax is a hemostatic agent packed into bleeding diploë (cancellous bone) of the skull to mechanically tamponade hemorrhage.

Question 2

Which position places the patient flat on their back with legs elevated in stirrups?

Accepted Answer

Lithotomy

Answer

Lithotomy position has the patient supine with hips flexed and legs elevated in stirrups, used for gynecological, urological, and colorectal procedures.

Question 3

When handing a scalpel to the surgeon, the scrub tech should use the:

Accepted Answer

Neutral zone (hands-free) technique placing it in a designated area

Answer

The neutral zone (hands-free) technique requires placing sharp instruments in a designated basin or pad so neither party is exposed to simultaneous contact with the blade.

Question 4

The purpose of a self-retaining retractor such as a Balfour retractor is to:

Accepted Answer

Hold the wound open without requiring manual effort

Answer

Self-retaining retractors like the Balfour maintain wound exposure independently, freeing surgical team members from manual retraction duties.

Question 5

Raytec (X-ray detectable) sponges are used intraoperatively rather than standard gauze because:

Accepted Answer

They can be identified on postoperative X-ray if accidentally retained

Answer

Raytec sponges contain a radiopaque filament detectable on X-ray, which allows identification of any retained sponge during postoperative imaging.

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Intraoperative Procedures 3