Certified Surgical Technologist Random 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The correct order of the sponge, instrument, and sharp count during a surgical procedure is:
- Before closure, after closure, before the procedure
- Before the procedure, before closure, after closure (Correct answer)
- After closure, before closure, at end of case
- Only at the end of the procedure
Correct answer: Before the procedure, before closure, after closure
Counts are performed at three key points: initially before the procedure starts, before cavity closure, and after wound closure is complete.
Question 2: Which draping technique is used to create a sterile field around the surgical incision site?
- Fenestrated draping (Correct answer)
- Impervious draping
- Adhesive incise draping
- Sequential square draping
Correct answer: Fenestrated draping
A fenestrated (aperture) drape has a pre-cut opening positioned over the incision site to expose only the operative area while covering the rest of the patient.
Question 3: When handing a scalpel to the surgeon, the surgical technologist should:
- Place it on a neutral zone on the sterile field (Correct answer)
- Hand it blade-first, handle toward the surgeon
- Hand it handle-first directly into the surgeon's palm
- Drop it into a sharps container if not needed immediately
Correct answer: Place it on a neutral zone on the sterile field
Sharps should be passed via a neutral zone (hands-free technique) to reduce the risk of needlestick or scalpel injury to either party.
Question 4: Which surgical position is associated with the highest risk of air embolism?
- Supine
- Prone
- Sitting (beach chair) (Correct answer)
- Lithotomy
Correct answer: Sitting (beach chair)
The sitting position elevates the operative site above the heart, creating negative venous pressure that can draw air into open vessels, causing air embolism.
Question 5: The purpose of using a skin stapler instead of sutures for wound closure is to:
- Provide stronger tensile strength than sutures
- Reduce closure time and lower infection rates in some wounds (Correct answer)
- Allow the wound to heal by secondary intention
- Eliminate the need for wound dressing
Correct answer: Reduce closure time and lower infection rates in some wounds
Skin staplers allow rapid closure with less tissue handling, and some studies show comparable or lower infection rates versus percutaneous sutures.
Question 6: Flash sterilization (immediate-use steam sterilization) should be used:
- As the routine sterilization method for all instruments
- Only when no other sterilized instrument is available for immediate patient use (Correct answer)
- For implantable devices whenever time is limited
- To sterilize heat-sensitive items quickly
Correct answer: Only when no other sterilized instrument is available for immediate patient use
Flash sterilization is reserved for situations where a needed instrument is unavailable and immediate use is required; it should not replace routine sterilization processes.
Question 7: During a total knee replacement, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) is used to:
- Fill bone defects caused by infection
- Anchor prosthetic components to the bone (Correct answer)
- Stimulate bone regeneration around the implant
- Lubricate the joint surface postoperatively
Correct answer: Anchor prosthetic components to the bone
Bone cement bonds the prosthetic implant components to the resected bone surfaces, providing immediate fixation in cemented arthroplasty.
Certified Surgical Technologist Random 5
The correct order of the sponge, instrument, and sharp count during a surgical procedure is: