CST Intraoperative Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a cesarean section, which layer is typically incised last before entering the uterus?
- Skin
- Fascia (Scarpa's)
- Peritoneum (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous tissue
Correct answer: Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the final layer entered before the uterine incision is made during a cesarean section.
Question 2: What is the purpose of irrigating a surgical wound with warm normal saline intraoperatively?
- To activate hemostatic agents
- To remove debris and reduce bacterial load (Correct answer)
- To dilute local anesthetic
- To cool the electrosurgery unit
Correct answer: To remove debris and reduce bacterial load
Wound irrigation with warm saline removes blood clots, tissue debris, and bacteria, reducing infection risk.
Question 3: A surgeon performing a bowel resection requests a GIA stapler. What does GIA stand for?
- Gastrointestinal Anastomosis (Correct answer)
- Gastric Intraluminal Apparatus
- General Intestinal Approximator
- Gastrointestinal Internal Anastomosis
Correct answer: Gastrointestinal Anastomosis
GIA stands for Gastrointestinal Anastomosis; this stapler simultaneously cuts and staples tissue on both sides of the cut line.
Question 4: Which position places the patient flat with legs elevated at 45 degrees, used for pelvic and lower abdominal surgeries?
- Trendelenburg (Correct answer)
- Reverse Trendelenburg
- Lithotomy
- Fowler's
Correct answer: Trendelenburg
Trendelenburg position tilts the patient head-down with legs elevated, shifting abdominal organs cephalad to improve pelvic exposure.
Question 5: When the surgeon requests a 'running suture,' the ST should anticipate providing:
- Multiple interrupted pre-tied sutures
- A continuous strand on a needle with no free ties (Correct answer)
- A pledgeted mattress suture
- Staples for skin closure
Correct answer: A continuous strand on a needle with no free ties
A running (continuous) suture uses a single uninterrupted strand passed repeatedly through tissue, requiring only two knots total.
Question 6: Which instrument is specifically designed to hold towels or drapes in place at the surgical site?
- Backhaus (towel) clamp (Correct answer)
- Allis clamp
- Sponge forceps
- Lahey clamp
Correct answer: Backhaus (towel) clamp
Backhaus (towel) clamps have sharp, curved, interlocking points designed to secure drapes to the patient's skin or to each other.
Question 7: During orthopedic surgery requiring a tourniquet, the ST should document the:
- Surgeon's preference card settings only
- Tourniquet inflation pressure, inflation time, and deflation time (Correct answer)
- Patient's preoperative blood pressure only
- Room temperature at time of inflation
Correct answer: Tourniquet inflation pressure, inflation time, and deflation time
Tourniquet time documentation including pressure, inflation, and deflation times is required for patient safety to prevent ischemic injury.
CST Intraoperative Procedures 3
During a cesarean section, which layer is typically incised last before entering the uterus?