CST Postoperative Duties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After the final sponge count is confirmed correct, what is the surgical technologist's next priority before closing?
- Document the count and inform the surgeon (Correct answer)
- Remove all instruments from the sterile field
- Begin breaking down the back table immediately
- Turn off the overhead surgical lights
Correct answer: Document the count and inform the surgeon
The ST must document the correct count and verbally inform the surgeon so the incision can be safely closed.
Question 2: Which action is correct when handling a contaminated surgical specimen postoperatively?
- Place it in a labeled specimen container per facility protocol (Correct answer)
- Wrap it in a sterile drape until pathology arrives
- Store it in the instrument tray until the case is closed
- Rinse it with saline before placing it in the container
Correct answer: Place it in a labeled specimen container per facility protocol
Specimens must be placed in properly labeled containers per institutional and pathology protocols to ensure accurate identification.
Question 3: During wound closure, the scrub ST should pass suture using which technique?
- Load the needle holder and pass handle-first to the surgeon (Correct answer)
- Drop the suture onto the sterile field for the surgeon to pick up
- Hand the suture packet directly to the circulator
- Pass the needle directly without a needle holder
Correct answer: Load the needle holder and pass handle-first to the surgeon
Suture should be loaded on a needle holder and passed handle-first (or in a neutral zone) to minimize needlestick injury risk.
Question 4: What is the purpose of applying a sterile dressing at the end of a procedure?
- Protect the wound from contamination and absorb drainage (Correct answer)
- Replace the need for postoperative antibiotic therapy
- Indicate the surgery site for postoperative staff
- Secure surgical drains permanently in place
Correct answer: Protect the wound from contamination and absorb drainage
A sterile dressing protects the surgical wound from environmental contamination and absorbs any drainage from the incision.
Question 5: When removing surgical drapes postoperatively, the ST should roll them:
- Inward (contaminated side in) to contain debris and fluids (Correct answer)
- Outward quickly to speed up room turnover
- Off the patient and directly into a trash can across the room
- Onto the instrument table for reuse on the next case
Correct answer: Inward (contaminated side in) to contain debris and fluids
Drapes are rolled inward to contain blood, fluids, and debris and prevent spreading contamination to the OR environment.
Question 6: After the patient is transferred to the gurney postoperatively, who is responsible for monitoring the patient's airway until handoff to the PACU nurse?
- The anesthesia provider (Correct answer)
- The scrub surgical technologist
- The circulating nurse
- The surgeon
Correct answer: The anesthesia provider
The anesthesia provider maintains responsibility for the patient's airway and hemodynamic stability during transport to the PACU.
Question 7: Instruments with heavy bioburden (bone, tissue, cement) should be pre-treated before transport to the decontamination area by:
- Removing gross debris and keeping them moist with a damp towel or enzymatic spray (Correct answer)
- Soaking them in bleach solution for 10 minutes
- Dry-wrapping them in paper towels to absorb moisture
- Placing them directly in a dry, closed container without treatment
Correct answer: Removing gross debris and keeping them moist with a damp towel or enzymatic spray
Removing gross debris and keeping instruments moist prevents bioburden from drying and hardening, which makes cleaning and sterilization more effective.
CST Postoperative Duties 2
After the final sponge count is confirmed correct, what is the surgical technologist's next priority before closing?