Practice Test Geeks(CST) Certified Surgical Technician Practice Test
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Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment Flashcards

7 cards from real CST 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 Instrumentation & Equipment flashcards as text

  1. Which stapler is used to create an anastomosis between two hollow organs end-to-end?

    Answer: Circular end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) stapler

    The circular EEA stapler fires two concentric rows of staples and cuts a lumen between them, creating a secure end-to-end anastomosis of hollow structures.

  2. What is the correct action when a drill bit breaks during an orthopedic procedure?

    Answer: Inform the surgeon immediately and retrieve all fragments

    A broken drill bit is a retained foreign body risk; the ST must immediately alert the surgeon and all fragments must be retrieved and accounted for.

  3. Which instrument is specifically designed for blunt dissection of tissue planes?

    Answer: Peanut (Kittner) dissector

    A peanut (Kittner) dissector is a small gauze-tipped instrument loaded on a clamp and used to bluntly separate tissue planes without cutting.

  4. The harmonic scalpel uses which energy source to cut and coagulate tissue?

    Answer: Ultrasonic vibration

    The harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic vibration (55,500 Hz) to simultaneously cut tissue and coagulate blood vessels with minimal thermal spread.

  5. What is the proper care for a flexible endoscope immediately after use?

    Answer: Wipe the insertion tube and suction channels at the bedside, then send for high-level disinfection

    Flexible endoscopes must be bedside-wiped and all channels flushed immediately after use, then processed with high-level disinfection because they cannot withstand steam sterilization.

  6. A self-retaining retractor such as the Balfour is used primarily for exposure of which surgical area?

    Answer: Abdominal cavity

    The Balfour retractor is a large, self-retaining abdominal retractor with a central blade and two lateral blades used for open abdominal procedures.

  7. Which instrument is used to approximate (hold together) tissue edges while sutures are placed?

    Answer: Tissue forceps

    Tissue forceps (such as Adson or Brown-Adson) grasp and approximate wound edges to assist the surgeon in placing sutures accurately.

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Sources & references

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