CST Perioperative Patient Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which position is most commonly used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
- Supine with reverse Trendelenburg (Correct answer)
- Prone with arms extended
- Lateral decubitus
- Lithotomy with steep Trendelenburg
Correct answer: Supine with reverse Trendelenburg
Supine with reverse Trendelenburg allows gravity to displace abdominal organs away from the operative field during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the time-out procedure in the OR?
- To allow the anesthesia provider to document medications
- To verify patient identity, procedure, and surgical site before incision (Correct answer)
- To confirm sterile field setup is complete
- To check that all instruments are counted
Correct answer: To verify patient identity, procedure, and surgical site before incision
The time-out is a final active communication check to confirm correct patient, procedure, and site before the initial incision.
Question 3: A patient undergoing surgery has an allergy to latex. Which of the following is the most critical intervention?
- Place the patient last on the surgical schedule
- Ensure the room is fully latex-free and document the allergy prominently (Correct answer)
- Administer prophylactic diphenhydramine before surgery
- Use only powder-free latex gloves
Correct answer: Ensure the room is fully latex-free and document the allergy prominently
Creating a latex-free environment and prominently flagging the allergy prevents anaphylaxis in latex-sensitive patients.
Question 4: Which intraoperative complication is characterized by a sudden rise in end-tidal CO2, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity?
- Anaphylaxis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Malignant hyperthermia (Correct answer)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Correct answer: Malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia is a hypermetabolic crisis triggered by certain anesthetic agents, presenting with rising CO2, hyperthermia, and rigidity.
Question 5: When transferring an unconscious patient from the OR table to a gurney, the surgical technologist should:
- Move the patient quickly to minimize exposure time
- Ensure at least four personnel are available and protect the airway (Correct answer)
- Allow the circulator to perform the transfer alone
- Transfer the patient without a draw sheet to prevent skin shear
Correct answer: Ensure at least four personnel are available and protect the airway
Safe patient transfer requires adequate personnel to prevent falls and protect the patient's airway and IV lines.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the purpose of sequential compression devices (SCDs) used perioperatively?
- Maintain intraoperative normothermia
- Prevent deep vein thrombosis by promoting venous return (Correct answer)
- Reduce intraoperative blood pressure fluctuations
- Stabilize the patient's position on the OR table
Correct answer: Prevent deep vein thrombosis by promoting venous return
SCDs apply intermittent pneumatic compression to the lower extremities to promote venous blood flow and reduce DVT risk.
Question 7: During a procedure, the scrub technologist notices the surgeon's gown sleeve has contacted an unsterile surface. The correct action is to:
- Inform the circulator and continue the case, monitoring closely
- Immediately inform the surgeon and replace the contaminated gown (Correct answer)
- Apply a sterile drape over the contaminated area
- Continue the case since brief contact does not cause contamination
Correct answer: Immediately inform the surgeon and replace the contaminated gown
Any breach of sterility requires immediate correction; the contaminated gown must be replaced to maintain the sterile field.
CST Perioperative Patient Care 2
Which position is most commonly used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?