Certified Surgical Technologist Random 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following describes the 'scrub role' of the surgical technologist?
- Coordinating the surgical schedule
- Managing the sterile field and passing instruments (Correct answer)
- Monitoring anesthesia levels
- Operating the endoscopy equipment from outside the sterile field
Correct answer: Managing the sterile field and passing instruments
The scrub surgical technologist maintains the sterile field, prepares instruments, and passes them to the surgeon during the procedure.
Question 2: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is best prevented in the OR through:
- Routine antibiotic prophylaxis for all patients
- Contact precautions and strict hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- High-level disinfection of all surfaces between cases
- Laminar airflow systems alone
Correct answer: Contact precautions and strict hand hygiene
Contact precautions including gown, gloves, and rigorous hand hygiene are the cornerstone of MRSA prevention in the surgical environment.
Question 3: The Bookwalter retractor system differs from hand-held retractors because it:
- Is used only in minimally invasive procedures
- Attaches to the OR table and holds retractors without assistant effort (Correct answer)
- Requires a dedicated assistant to maintain position
- Is disposable and used for a single case only
Correct answer: Attaches to the OR table and holds retractors without assistant effort
The Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor system that mounts to the OR table rail, freeing assistants' hands during open abdominal cases.
Question 4: Which anesthesia type allows the patient to remain conscious while a specific body region is numbed?
- General anesthesia
- Regional anesthesia (Correct answer)
- Moderate sedation
- Inhalation anesthesia
Correct answer: Regional anesthesia
Regional anesthesia blocks nerve conduction in a specific area, allowing surgery while the patient remains awake or lightly sedated.
Question 5: Which complication is associated with prolonged use of a tourniquet during extremity surgery?
- Hypothermia
- Ischemic injury and reperfusion injury (Correct answer)
- Increased bleeding at the operative site
- Venous thromboembolism prevention
Correct answer: Ischemic injury and reperfusion injury
Prolonged tourniquet application causes tissue ischemia, and release can trigger reperfusion injury with inflammatory and systemic effects.
Question 6: In the OR, the circulator's primary role regarding sterile technique is to:
- Scrub in and directly handle sterile instruments
- Maintain asepsis from outside the sterile field and supply the scrub team (Correct answer)
- Perform the surgical skin prep
- Count sponges while standing within the sterile field
Correct answer: Maintain asepsis from outside the sterile field and supply the scrub team
The circulator works in the unsterile zone, opening supplies, documenting, and supporting the sterile team without entering the sterile field.
Question 7: Which wound classification is assigned to a case involving a perforated appendix?
- Class I – Clean
- Class II – Clean-Contaminated
- Class III – Contaminated
- Class IV – Dirty-Infected (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Class IV – Dirty-Infected
A perforated appendix with peritoneal soilage is classified as Class IV (Dirty-Infected) because it involves an existing infection or perforated viscus.
Certified Surgical Technologist Random 4
Which of the following describes the 'scrub role' of the surgical technologist?