CST Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the OR, traffic patterns are controlled primarily to:
- Reduce noise levels during surgery
- Minimize airborne contamination and maintain sterility (Correct answer)
- Improve surgical team communication
- Comply with fire safety regulations
Correct answer: Minimize airborne contamination and maintain sterility
Controlling traffic in the OR reduces the number of people and movements that generate airborne particles and contamination near the sterile field.
Question 2: A sterile item falls below the level of the sterile field edge. What should the scrub technologist do?
- Retrieve it quickly since it was only briefly below the field
- Consider it contaminated and request a replacement (Correct answer)
- Ask the circulator to inspect the item before using it
- Wipe it with a sterile towel before returning it to the field
Correct answer: Consider it contaminated and request a replacement
Any item that falls below the level of the sterile field is considered contaminated and must be replaced.
Question 3: Which of the following describes the correct order for surgical hand antisepsis using a scrub brush?
- Fingertips → fingers → hand → wrist → forearm (Correct answer)
- Forearm → wrist → hand → fingers → fingertips
- Palm → back of hand → fingers → fingertips → forearm
- Hand → forearm → wrist → fingers → fingertips
Correct answer: Fingertips → fingers → hand → wrist → forearm
The anatomical scrub proceeds from the most contaminated area (fingertips/nails) proximally toward the forearm to move contamination away from the hands.
Question 4: A sterile wrapper that has a hole of any size is considered:
- Sterile if the hole is smaller than 1 cm
- Compromised only if the item inside was visibly touched
- Unsterile regardless of hole size (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if covered by a second outer wrap
Correct answer: Unsterile regardless of hole size
Any breach in a sterile wrapper, regardless of size, compromises sterility and the item must be reprocessed.
Question 5: During a procedure, an unsterile person needs to walk past a sterile field. They should:
- Pass as close as possible to reduce time near the field
- Face the sterile field while passing
- Face away from the sterile field while passing at a safe distance (Correct answer)
- Walk between two sterile fields if space requires
Correct answer: Face away from the sterile field while passing at a safe distance
Unsterile persons must face away from the sterile field and maintain a safe distance to prevent accidental contamination.
Question 6: What does the term 'cuff' refer to when the scrub technologist opens sterile supplies?
- A contaminated fold created by improper technique
- A protective fold of the sterile drape over the gloved hands (Correct answer)
- The manufacturer's seal on a sterile package
- The inner wrapper layer of a double-wrapped package
Correct answer: A protective fold of the sterile drape over the gloved hands
Cuffing refers to folding the sterile drape or wrap over the gloved hands to prevent the sterile gloves from contacting the unsterile outer surface.
Question 7: Sterile gloves torn or punctured during a procedure must be:
- Covered with a second pair of sterile gloves over the damaged pair
- Changed immediately after notifying the surgeon (Correct answer)
- Assessed for depth of puncture before deciding to change
- Left in place until a critical step in the procedure is complete
Correct answer: Changed immediately after notifying the surgeon
Torn or punctured gloves must be changed immediately because the barrier is broken and microorganisms can migrate to the sterile field.
CST Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique 3
In the OR, traffic patterns are controlled primarily to: