CST Perioperative Patient Care 4

Question 1

Which electrosurgical unit (ESU) setting is used to cut tissue with a continuous waveform?

Accepted Answer

Cut

Answer

The 'cut' mode uses a continuous, unmodulated waveform that generates heat rapidly enough to vaporize cells and divide tissue.

Question 2

A patient arrives to the OR suite and states, 'I have a pacemaker.' The surgical team's most important action is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify the anesthesia provider and plan to use bipolar electrosurgery or ultrasonic devices when possible

Answer

Monopolar ESU can interfere with pacemaker function; the team should alert anesthesia and plan to minimize or substitute electrosurgery.

Question 3

Normothermia is maintained intraoperatively primarily because hypothermia can cause:

Accepted Answer

Coagulopathy, surgical site infection risk, and cardiac dysrhythmias

Answer

Intraoperative hypothermia impairs platelet function and coagulation cascade enzymes, increases SSI risk, and predisposes to cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct placement of the electrosurgical dispersive electrode pad?

Accepted Answer

On a large muscle mass close to the surgical site, away from implants or ECG leads

Answer

The dispersive pad must be placed on a well-vascularized muscle mass near the site to complete the circuit safely and avoid burns.

Question 5

Intraoperative awareness under general anesthesia is most strongly associated with which patient scenario?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac or obstetric surgery patients who receive reduced anesthetic doses

Answer

Cardiac and obstetric surgeries often require lighter anesthesia to protect hemodynamic stability or the fetus, increasing intraoperative awareness risk.

(CST) Certified Surgical Technician Practice Test

(CST) Certified Surgical Technician Practice Test

CST Perioperative Patient Care 4