CST Perioperative Patient Care 3

Question 1

What is the correct sequence for surgical hand antisepsis using a brush-stroke method?

Accepted Answer

Nails, fingertips, hands, wrists, forearms

Answer

Surgical scrubbing proceeds from most contaminated (nails/fingertips) to least contaminated (forearms) to prevent recontamination of cleaner areas.

Question 2

Foley catheter insertion in the perioperative setting is primarily performed to:

Accepted Answer

Measure urine output and decompress the bladder during lengthy procedures

Answer

Indwelling urinary catheters allow continuous monitoring of urine output and prevent bladder distension during prolonged surgeries.

Question 3

Which patient position places the greatest risk for brachial plexus injury?

Accepted Answer

Supine with arms abducted more than 90 degrees

Answer

Abducting the arm beyond 90 degrees stretches the brachial plexus, leading to potential nerve injury during surgery.

Question 4

A patient's preoperative checklist reveals they took their daily aspirin this morning. This is most significant because aspirin:

Accepted Answer

Inhibits platelet aggregation and increases bleeding risk

Answer

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase, impairing platelet function and increasing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding risk.

Question 5

When counting sponges intraoperatively, the scrub and circulator should:

Accepted Answer

Count together aloud, with the scrub separating each sponge

Answer

Two-person simultaneous counting with audible verbalization and physical separation of each sponge ensures an accurate and accountable count.

(CST) Certified Surgical Technician Practice Test