CST Preoperative Preparation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary purpose of applying a tourniquet during extremity surgery?
- Stabilize the limb on the OR table
- Provide a bloodless operative field (Correct answer)
- Prevent venous thromboembolism
- Reduce the risk of nerve injury
Correct answer: Provide a bloodless operative field
A tourniquet inflated proximal to the surgical site occludes arterial and venous blood flow, creating a bloodless field that improves visibility.
Question 2: When setting up a sterile back table, which action maintains sterility?
- Reaching across the sterile field to hand an instrument to the surgeon
- Opening sterile packages by flipping them onto the field from outside the sterile zone (Correct answer)
- Placing non-sterile items on the drape to keep them accessible
- Keeping sterile gloved hands below the table level when idle
Correct answer: Opening sterile packages by flipping them onto the field from outside the sterile zone
Sterile items should be flipped or dropped onto the sterile field by an unsterile person without the wrapper crossing the sterile boundary.
Question 3: Which preoperative assessment finding would most concern the surgical team regarding anesthesia induction?
- BMI of 22
- Last oral intake 8 hours ago
- Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
- Hemoglobin A1c of 11.2% (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hemoglobin A1c of 11.2%
Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >9%) increases infection risk and impairs wound healing; it may also affect anesthesia management and surgical timing.
Question 4: The surgeon requests a Foley catheter be placed preoperatively. Which gauge catheter is standard for most adult patients?
- 8 Fr
- 14–16 Fr (Correct answer)
- 20–22 Fr
- 28–30 Fr
Correct answer: 14–16 Fr
14–16 French catheters are the standard size for adult urinary drainage; larger sizes are used for specific clinical indications such as hematuria.
Question 5: Which of the following is the MOST important reason to perform a pre-incision Time Out?
- To allow the anesthesia provider to check vital signs
- To confirm correct patient, site, side, procedure, and position before incision (Correct answer)
- To ensure instrument counts are complete
- To verify the OR suite is at the correct temperature
Correct answer: To confirm correct patient, site, side, procedure, and position before incision
The Time Out (per Joint Commission Universal Protocol) pauses all activity to verify the five rights: patient, procedure, site, side, and position.
Question 6: Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are applied preoperatively primarily to prevent which complication?
- Arterial embolism
- Deep vein thrombosis (Correct answer)
- Pressure ulcer formation
- Intraoperative hypothermia
Correct answer: Deep vein thrombosis
SCDs intermittently compress the lower extremities to promote venous return, reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during prolonged surgery.
Question 7: A patient arrives to the holding area wearing a hearing aid. What should the surgical technologist do?
- Remove it immediately and place in the patient's chart
- Leave it in place until general anesthesia is induced so the patient can communicate (Correct answer)
- Discard it with the patient's clothing
- Document its presence but take no action
Correct answer: Leave it in place until general anesthesia is induced so the patient can communicate
Leaving the hearing aid in place during the preoperative period allows the patient to hear instructions and reduces anxiety; it is removed at the appropriate time before anesthesia.
CST Preoperative Preparation 3
Which of the following is the primary purpose of applying a tourniquet during extremity surgery?