CST Ethics & Professionalism 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient expresses wishes in a living will that differ from the surgeon's planned procedure. The surgical team should:
- Proceed with the planned surgery since the surgeon knows best
- Disregard the living will as it may be outdated
- Alert the surgeon and delay the procedure until the conflict is resolved (Correct answer)
- Ask the scrub tech to amend the consent form
Correct answer: Alert the surgeon and delay the procedure until the conflict is resolved
A living will is a legal advance directive that must be respected; conflicts must be resolved before proceeding with elective surgery.
Question 2: Which term describes the ethical obligation to treat all patients equally regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status?
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Justice (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Justice
Justice requires equitable treatment and fair distribution of care to all patients without discrimination.
Question 3: A CST accidentally contaminates the sterile field and says nothing to avoid slowing down the surgery. This violates which principle?
- Autonomy
- Veracity (Correct answer)
- Justice
- Beneficence
Correct answer: Veracity
Veracity requires honesty; failing to report a sterile field contamination deceives the team and endangers the patient.
Question 4: A surgical technologist who witnesses suspected abuse of a pediatric patient is ethically and legally obligated to:
- Maintain patient confidentiality and say nothing
- Report suspicions to the charge nurse or social worker (Correct answer)
- Confront the suspected abuser directly
- Wait for the surgeon to make the determination
Correct answer: Report suspicions to the charge nurse or social worker
Surgical technologists are mandated reporters in most states and must report suspected child abuse to the appropriate party.
Question 5: When a CST disagrees with a surgeon's clinical decision, the most professionally appropriate action is to:
- Voice concerns privately through proper communication channels (Correct answer)
- Publicly challenge the surgeon during the procedure
- Comply silently and document nothing
- Refuse to assist until the surgeon changes the plan
Correct answer: Voice concerns privately through proper communication channels
Concerns should be communicated respectfully and through proper channels to maintain professionalism and patient safety.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'informed consent' in the surgical setting?
- The patient signs a form before any anesthesia is administered
- The patient understands risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to surgery (Correct answer)
- The surgeon explains the procedure after it is completed
- The hospital obtains a signature upon patient admission
Correct answer: The patient understands risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to surgery
Informed consent requires the patient to receive and understand information about risks, benefits, and alternatives prior to agreeing to surgery.
Question 7: A CST who accepts a gift from a pharmaceutical representative for recommending their products is exhibiting:
- Acceptable professional networking
- A conflict of interest that violates ethical standards (Correct answer)
- Standard industry practice
- An example of beneficence
Correct answer: A conflict of interest that violates ethical standards
Accepting gifts in exchange for product recommendations creates a conflict of interest and compromises professional integrity.
CST Ethics & Professionalism 3
A patient expresses wishes in a living will that differ from the surgeon's planned procedure.
The surgical team should: