CST Operating Room Setup & Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which position requires the use of a beanbag positioner and axillary roll to protect the patient?
- Supine
- Lithotomy
- Lateral decubitus (Correct answer)
- Prone
Correct answer: Lateral decubitus
The lateral decubitus (lateral) position requires a beanbag positioner for stability and an axillary roll placed under the dependent chest to protect the brachial plexus.
Question 2: What is the function of a smoke evacuator in the OR?
- To remove excess oxygen from the field
- To capture and filter surgical plume from electrosurgery or laser use (Correct answer)
- To cool the electrosurgical unit
- To ventilate the sterile field between instrument passes
Correct answer: To capture and filter surgical plume from electrosurgery or laser use
Smoke evacuators capture and filter surgical plume — the smoke generated by electrosurgery or laser — which contains harmful particles and viable cellular material.
Question 3: When counting sponges at the beginning of a case, how many sponges are typically found in each standardized pack?
- 5
- 10 (Correct answer)
- 15
- 20
Correct answer: 10
Standardized sponge packs typically contain 10 sponges, and they must be counted before use and reconciled at closure.
Question 4: What is the primary reason radiopaque markers are woven into surgical sponges?
- To make sponges easier to see in low-light conditions
- To allow retained sponges to be detected on postoperative radiographs (Correct answer)
- To track sponge absorption capacity
- To prevent static electricity buildup
Correct answer: To allow retained sponges to be detected on postoperative radiographs
Radiopaque markers in surgical sponges allow them to appear on X-ray so retained sponges can be identified if a count discrepancy occurs.
Question 5: During a laparoscopic procedure, what device is used to maintain pneumoperitoneum?
- Suction-irrigation system
- Insufflator (Correct answer)
- Trocar obturator
- Hasson cannula alone
Correct answer: Insufflator
An insufflator delivers and regulates CO₂ gas into the peritoneal cavity to create and maintain pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic procedures.
Question 6: What is the correct order of layers when draping a patient for an abdominal procedure?
- Side drapes → fenestrated drape → leggings → barrier drape
- Barrier drape under patient → side drapes → fenestrated top drape (Correct answer)
- Fenestrated drape first → then side drapes → then leggings
- Leggings first → fenestrated drape → then side towels
Correct answer: Barrier drape under patient → side drapes → fenestrated top drape
Draping typically proceeds from the operative site outward: first a barrier drape under the patient, then side drapes to create the sterile field borders, followed by the fenestrated top drape.
Question 7: The surgical technologist notices a hole in a sterile drape during a procedure. What is the correct action?
- Continue the procedure since the drape is mostly intact
- Cover the hole with an additional sterile drape
- Inform the surgeon and circulator, then reinforce with a sterile impervious drape (Correct answer)
- Remove all drapes and re-drape the patient
Correct answer: Inform the surgeon and circulator, then reinforce with a sterile impervious drape
A compromised drape must be addressed by informing the team and reinforcing the area with a sterile impervious drape to maintain the sterile barrier.
CST Operating Room Setup & Management 3
Which position requires the use of a beanbag positioner and axillary roll to protect the patient?