Surgical Positioning & Draping Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Positioning & Draping flashcards as text
Which positioning device conforms to the patient's body contours and provides stable support in the lateral decubitus position?
Answer: Bean bag positioner
A bean bag positioner uses small beads that mold to the patient's body when suction is applied, creating a rigid, custom-contoured support for the lateral position.
Which complication associated with prone positioning can result from direct pressure on the orbital region?
Answer: Ischemic optic neuropathy causing blindness
In prone position, direct orbital pressure can compress blood flow to the optic nerve, causing ischemic optic neuropathy and potentially resulting in permanent vision loss.
The kidney rest is elevated to improve surgical access during which type of procedure?
Answer: Flank surgery for retroperitoneal access
The kidney rest elevates the flank and lumbar region to open the space between the iliac crest and rib cage, improving retroperitoneal access during kidney surgery.
When applying a sterile drape, the first assistant should protect sterility by:
Answer: Cuffing the drape over gloved hands before contact with the patient
Cuffing the drape over gloved hands creates a sterile barrier that prevents the gloves from contacting non-sterile patient skin or table surfaces during draping.
Which arm position during supine surgery presents the greatest risk for brachial plexus injury?
Answer: Arms hyperabducted beyond 90°
Abducting the arms beyond 90° places excessive stretch on the brachial plexus, which can result in neuropraxia or permanent nerve injury.
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, what is the recommended table position to improve visualization of the gallbladder?
Answer: Reverse Trendelenburg with right side elevated
Reverse Trendelenburg with right-side-up tilt uses gravity to displace bowel away from the liver and gallbladder, improving laparoscopic visualization of the hepatobiliary operative field.
If a sterile drape becomes contaminated during placement, what is the correct action?
Answer: Remove and replace the drape immediately with a new sterile drape
A contaminated drape must be removed entirely and replaced with a new sterile drape; sterility cannot be restored once a breach has occurred.