Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Positioning 1

Question 1

Which surgical position places the patient flat on their back with arms either tucked or extended on arm boards?

Accepted Answer

Supine

Answer

The supine position has the patient lying flat on their back and is the most commonly used position for anterior abdominal, thoracic, and extremity surgeries.

Question 2

Which position places the patient face-down on the operating table to allow access to the posterior body?

Accepted Answer

Prone

Answer

The prone position has the patient lying face-down and is used for spinal, posterior cranial, and rectal surgeries requiring dorsal access.

Question 3

The lithotomy position is most commonly used for which category of surgical procedures?

Accepted Answer

Gynecological and perineal procedures

Answer

Lithotomy elevates and flexes the legs in stirrups, providing optimal access to the perineum, vagina, and lower rectum.

Question 4

Which nerve is most at risk for compression injury from stirrups in the lithotomy position?

Accepted Answer

Common peroneal nerve

Answer

The common peroneal nerve wraps around the lateral fibular head and is vulnerable to direct stirrup pressure, causing foot drop if injured.

Question 5

In the Trendelenburg position, the patient is tilted so that:

Accepted Answer

The head is lower than the feet

Answer

Trendelenburg tilts the table head-down to shift abdominal organs cephalad, improving pelvic visualization during lower abdominal and laparoscopic surgery.

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Positioning 1