CST OR Setup & Room Turnover 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the CORRECT sequence for donning sterile attire before a case?
- Gown, then gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves, then gown
- Mask, then gown, then gloves
- Either gown-first or glove-first is acceptable
Correct answer: Gown, then gloves
The gown is donned first because the hands must remain uncontaminated to open and position the gown; gloves are then applied over the gown cuffs.
Question 2: A case cart delivered to the OR contains a package with an expired sterilization date. The scrub tech should:
- Use the item if the packaging appears intact
- Return the item, obtain a replacement, and notify the charge nurse (Correct answer)
- Re-sterilize the item using the flash autoclave
- Document the expiration but proceed if the item is essential
Correct answer: Return the item, obtain a replacement, and notify the charge nurse
Expired sterilization dating means sterility cannot be guaranteed; the item must be replaced and the incident reported.
Question 3: The recommended minimum air exchanges per hour in a standard OR to maintain air quality is:
- 5 exchanges per hour
- 15 exchanges per hour (Correct answer)
- 25 exchanges per hour
- 35 exchanges per hour
Correct answer: 15 exchanges per hour
AORN and ASHRAE standards recommend a minimum of 15 air exchanges per hour in the OR, with at least 3 being fresh outside air.
Question 4: When creating a sterile field, the scrub technician should open the back table drape by:
- Unfolding it completely before placing it on the table
- Cuffing the drape over gloved hands and unfolding away from the body (Correct answer)
- Having the circulator unfold it and hand it over
- Dropping it from above onto the table
Correct answer: Cuffing the drape over gloved hands and unfolding away from the body
Cuffing the drape over gloved hands protects the sterility of the gloves while the drape is unfolded away from the body to prevent contamination.
Question 5: Ideally, the back table should be set up how far in advance of the surgical incision?
- No limit, as long as the room stays closed
- As close to the start of the case as practical; no more than 4 hours before the first incision (Correct answer)
- Exactly 1 hour prior
- 24 hours prior to allow all items to equilibrate
Correct answer: As close to the start of the case as practical; no more than 4 hours before the first incision
AORN recommends setting up the sterile field as close to the time of use as possible, with 4 hours as an accepted outer limit in most facilities.
Question 6: Which action BEST maintains the sterility of a wrapped sterile instrument set when opening it onto the back table?
- Peel the wrapper back quickly in one motion
- Open the outermost flap away from the scrub tech, then side flaps, then near flap (Correct answer)
- Open toward the scrub tech so they can inspect contents
- Cut the wrapper with sterile scissors
Correct answer: Open the outermost flap away from the scrub tech, then side flaps, then near flap
Opening the far flap first prevents the circulator's arm from passing over the sterile field and maintains directionality away from the scrub tech.
Question 7: Terminal cleaning of the OR differs from routine between-case cleaning primarily in that terminal cleaning:
- Uses stronger disinfectants
- Includes cleaning all surfaces including walls, ceilings, and equipment, performed at the end of each operative day (Correct answer)
- Is performed by an external cleaning company only
- Requires the room to be sealed for 12 hours
Correct answer: Includes cleaning all surfaces including walls, ceilings, and equipment, performed at the end of each operative day
Terminal cleaning is a comprehensive end-of-day cleaning covering all surfaces including walls and overhead equipment to reset the room to baseline cleanliness.
CST OR Setup & Room Turnover 3
Which of the following is the CORRECT sequence for donning sterile attire before a case?