CST Patient Care & Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which action should the surgical technologist take when a patient states they are allergic to latex just before entering the OR?
- Proceed with surgery using standard gloves
- Notify the surgical team immediately and prepare a latex-free environment (Correct answer)
- Document the allergy and continue setup without changes
- Ask the patient if they have had latex exposure before
Correct answer: Notify the surgical team immediately and prepare a latex-free environment
A latex allergy requires immediate notification of the team and conversion to a fully latex-free environment to prevent anaphylaxis.
Question 2: When positioning a patient in the lithotomy position, what complication is the surgical technologist most vigilant about preventing?
- Pressure ulcers on the occiput
- Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities (Correct answer)
- Brachial plexus injury from arm abduction
- Corneal abrasion
Correct answer: Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities
Lithotomy position places legs in stirrups, increasing risk of compartment syndrome due to compromised perfusion and elevated limb pressure.
Question 3: What is the correct order of steps for performing a surgical hand scrub using the anatomical scrub method?
- Nails, fingers, hand, forearm working distal to proximal (Correct answer)
- Forearm, hand, fingers, nails working proximal to distal
- Hand, forearm, fingers, nails in any order
- Nails only, then full arm rinse
Correct answer: Nails, fingers, hand, forearm working distal to proximal
The anatomical timed scrub proceeds distal to proximal: nails first, then each finger, hand, and forearm, to avoid recontaminating cleaner areas.
Question 4: A patient's informed consent form is missing a signature. What is the surgical technologist's most appropriate action?
- Witness the patient signing in the OR holding area
- Notify the surgeon and circulating nurse before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Have the anesthesia provider obtain the signature
- Proceed if the patient verbally consents
Correct answer: Notify the surgeon and circulating nurse before proceeding
The surgical technologist should notify the surgeon and circulating nurse; the surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent before surgery proceeds.
Question 5: During a procedure, the surgical technologist notices the patient's tourniquet has been inflated for 115 minutes. What is the priority action?
- Continue and document the time
- Deflate the tourniquet immediately without notifying anyone
- Alert the surgeon to the extended inflation time (Correct answer)
- Increase tourniquet pressure to compensate
Correct answer: Alert the surgeon to the extended inflation time
Prolonged tourniquet inflation risks ischemia and nerve damage; the surgeon must be alerted so a decision to deflate or proceed can be made.
Question 6: Which solution is used to confirm a patient's identity and correct surgical site before incision under the Universal Protocol?
- Anesthesia induction record
- Surgical safety checklist Time-Out (Correct answer)
- Preoperative nursing assessment
- OR schedule printout
Correct answer: Surgical safety checklist Time-Out
The Time-Out, part of the Universal Protocol, is the final verification step performed immediately before incision to confirm patient identity, site, and procedure.
Question 7: What is the purpose of applying a grounding pad (dispersive electrode) to the patient during electrosurgery?
- To increase the cutting current at the active electrode
- To provide a safe return path for electrical current back to the generator (Correct answer)
- To prevent burns at the surgical site
- To monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm
Correct answer: To provide a safe return path for electrical current back to the generator
The dispersive electrode provides a large-surface return path for electrosurgical current, dispersing energy safely to prevent burns.
CST Patient Care & Safety 2
Which action should the surgical technologist take when a patient states they are allergic to latex just before entering the OR?