CST Instrument Tray Assembly 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following instrument sets would be assembled for a cesarean section (C-section)?
- OB tray with uterine clamps and bladder retractors (Correct answer)
- Basic laparotomy tray only
- Orthopedic tray with bone rasps
- Thoracotomy tray with rib spreaders
Correct answer: OB tray with uterine clamps and bladder retractors
A C-section tray includes specialized instruments like DeLee retractors for bladder retraction and Pennington clamps for uterine edge control.
Question 2: A Weitlaner retractor differs from a handheld retractor in that it:
- Is self-retaining and maintains position without an assistant (Correct answer)
- Is used only for deep abdominal surgery
- Must be attached to a table-mounted retractor system
- Requires a clamp to hold it open
Correct answer: Is self-retaining and maintains position without an assistant
Weitlaner retractors are self-retaining because their ratcheted arms lock open to hold tissue without manual assistance.
Question 3: When loading a scalpel blade onto a handle, the CST should use which technique?
- Use a needle holder or hemostat to slide the blade onto the handle (Correct answer)
- Use gloved fingers to slide the blade on by hand
- Use a blade breaker device
- Use forceps to slide the blade notch over the handle ridge
Correct answer: Use a needle holder or hemostat to slide the blade onto the handle
OSHA guidelines require using an instrument such as a needle holder to load and unload scalpel blades to prevent sharps injuries.
Question 4: Which type of scissors on a general surgery tray is designed for cutting suture?
- Straight Mayo scissors (Correct answer)
- Curved Metzenbaum scissors
- Iris scissors
- Potts-Smith scissors
Correct answer: Straight Mayo scissors
Straight Mayo scissors have heavy, blunt blades designed for cutting suture and heavy tissue, distinguishing them from Metzenbaum scissors used for delicate dissection.
Question 5: A Bookwalter retractor system is most commonly assembled for which type of procedure?
- Deep pelvic or abdominal procedures requiring prolonged retraction (Correct answer)
- Short superficial skin procedures
- Ophthalmic surgery
- Neurosurgical craniotomy
Correct answer: Deep pelvic or abdominal procedures requiring prolonged retraction
The Bookwalter is a table-mounted ring retractor system that provides stable, hands-free retraction for prolonged deep abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Question 6: Which instrument on a vascular tray is used to remove thrombus from the lumen of a blood vessel?
- Fogarty balloon catheter (Correct answer)
- Potts scissors
- DeBakey forceps
- Bulldog clamp
Correct answer: Fogarty balloon catheter
The Fogarty balloon catheter is inserted past the clot, inflated, and withdrawn to mechanically extract thrombus from vessels.
Question 7: When assembling a tray for a procedure requiring magnification, the scrub technician should include which type of instruments?
- Micro-instruments with smooth, fine-tipped jaws (Correct answer)
- Standard heavy-tissue clamps
- Large bone-holding forceps
- Wide-blade retractors
Correct answer: Micro-instruments with smooth, fine-tipped jaws
Microsurgery requires delicate micro-instruments with fine tips capable of handling tiny structures without crushing or tearing.
CST Instrument Tray Assembly 3
Which of the following instrument sets would be assembled for a cesarean section (C-section)?