CSFA Surgical Positioning and Draping 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of surgical positioning?
- To provide comfort for the surgical team
- To provide optimal access to the surgical site while protecting the patient (Correct answer)
- To reduce anesthesia requirements
- To minimize the use of surgical drapes
Correct answer: To provide optimal access to the surgical site while protecting the patient
Surgical positioning provides optimal exposure of the operative site while protecting the patient from injury such as nerve damage and pressure sores.
Question 2: Which surgical position places the patient flat on their back?
- Prone
- Lateral decubitus
- Supine (Correct answer)
- Lithotomy
Correct answer: Supine
The supine (dorsal recumbent) position has the patient lying flat on their back and is the most common surgical position used.
Question 3: In the lithotomy position, the patient's legs are placed in stirrups primarily to expose which surgical area?
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Perineum and lower abdomen (Correct answer)
- Upper extremities
Correct answer: Perineum and lower abdomen
The lithotomy position provides access to the perineal and lower abdominal areas and is commonly used for gynecological, urological, and colorectal procedures.
Question 4: Which nerve is most at risk for compression injury in the lithotomy position due to prolonged hip flexion and external rotation?
- Radial nerve
- Common peroneal nerve (Correct answer)
- Ulnar nerve
- Femoral nerve
Correct answer: Common peroneal nerve
The common peroneal nerve, which wraps superficially around the fibular head, is highly susceptible to compression when the legs are in stirrups.
Question 5: The Trendelenburg position is characterized by which table tilt?
- Head elevated above the feet
- Patient in a lateral position with spine flexed
- Head lowered and feet elevated (Correct answer)
- Patient prone with a chest roll
Correct answer: Head lowered and feet elevated
In the Trendelenburg position, the table is tilted so the head is lower than the feet, shifting abdominal organs cephalad to improve pelvic access.
Question 6: What is the most important goal when padding bony prominences during surgical positioning?
- Using the thinnest padding to maintain sterile field access
- Preventing pressure injuries and nerve compression (Correct answer)
- Keeping padding away from the incision site
- Using only foam padding regardless of procedure length
Correct answer: Preventing pressure injuries and nerve compression
Adequate padding of bony prominences prevents pressure injuries and nerve compression, which can cause significant postoperative morbidity.
Question 7: The beach chair (semi-sitting) position is most commonly used for which type of surgical procedure?
- Anterior cervical spine surgery
- Shoulder arthroscopy and open shoulder surgery (Correct answer)
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Total hip arthroplasty
Correct answer: Shoulder arthroscopy and open shoulder surgery
The beach chair position provides excellent access to the shoulder joint and is the preferred position for shoulder arthroscopy and many open shoulder procedures.
CSFA Surgical Positioning and Draping 1
What is the primary purpose of surgical positioning?