CST Instrument Tray Assembly 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assembling a basic laparotomy tray, which instrument is used to retract the edges of a wound and maintain exposure of the operative field?
- Richardson retractor (Correct answer)
- Metzenbaum scissors
- Kocher clamp
- Adson forceps
Correct answer: Richardson retractor
Richardson retractors are hand-held instruments placed by assistants to hold back wound edges and maintain exposure during abdominal procedures.
Question 2: Which counting sponge is most commonly placed on the instrument tray for tracking during a surgical procedure?
- Raytec (4x4) sponge (Correct answer)
- Laparotomy (lap) sponge
- Telfa dressing
- Kerlix roll
Correct answer: Raytec (4x4) sponge
Raytec sponges (4x4 radiopaque sponges) are the standard counted sponge placed on the instrument tray for use during surgery.
Question 3: A CST is assembling a tray and notices a crack in a needle holder. The correct action is to:
- Remove it from the tray and replace it with an intact instrument (Correct answer)
- Tape the crack and continue
- Use it only for small sutures
- Inform the surgeon and let them decide
Correct answer: Remove it from the tray and replace it with an intact instrument
Damaged instruments must be removed from service immediately to prevent instrument failure during a procedure and potential patient injury.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a towel clip on an instrument tray?
- To secure sterile drapes to the patient (Correct answer)
- To hold suture material
- To clamp bleeding vessels
- To grasp tissue during dissection
Correct answer: To secure sterile drapes to the patient
Towel clips (backhaus clamps) are used to secure sterile drapes in place around the operative field.
Question 5: During tray assembly, instruments should be arranged in which order to improve efficiency?
- Order of use during the surgical procedure (Correct answer)
- Alphabetical order by instrument name
- Size order from smallest to largest
- Grouped by manufacturer
Correct answer: Order of use during the surgical procedure
Organizing instruments in the order they will be used during the procedure allows the scrub technician to pass them quickly and efficiently.
Question 6: Which instrument on a standard instrument tray is used for blunt dissection of tissue planes?
- Kelly hemostat (Correct answer)
- Scalpel blade #10
- Allis clamp
- Deaver retractor
Correct answer: Kelly hemostat
A Kelly hemostat can be used for blunt dissection by inserting it closed and spreading the jaws to separate tissue planes.
Question 7: On a mayo stand, where should the sterile field boundary be considered to begin?
- One inch from the edge of the drape on all sides (Correct answer)
- At the exact edge of the mayo stand cover
- Two inches below the top surface
- At the instrument clamps attached to the drape
Correct answer: One inch from the edge of the drape on all sides
The sterile field extends to one inch from the edges of the mayo stand drape, which are considered non-sterile border zones.
CST Instrument Tray Assembly 2
When assembling a basic laparotomy tray, which instrument is used to retract the edges of a wound and maintain exposure of the operative field?