CST Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a laparoscopic procedure, the Veress needle is used to:
- Cut tissue under direct vision
- Introduce CO2 to create pneumoperitoneum (Correct answer)
- Irrigate the abdominal cavity
- Pass sutures through the abdominal wall
Correct answer: Introduce CO2 to create pneumoperitoneum
The Veress needle is a spring-loaded needle inserted blindly through the abdominal wall to insufflate CO2 and establish pneumoperitoneum before trocar placement.
Question 2: What type of scissors are best for cutting delicate structures such as bile ducts or blood vessels?
- Mayo scissors
- Metzenbaum scissors (Correct answer)
- Iris scissors
- Bandage scissors
Correct answer: Metzenbaum scissors
Metzenbaum scissors have long, slender blades and are designed for fine dissection and cutting of delicate tissue like bile ducts and vessels.
Question 3: Which instrument would the surgical technologist pass to the surgeon for initial skin incision?
- #10 scalpel blade on a #3 handle (Correct answer)
- #15 scalpel blade on a #7 handle
- #11 scalpel blade on a #4 handle
- #22 scalpel blade on a #3 handle
Correct answer: #10 scalpel blade on a #3 handle
A #10 blade on a #3 handle is the standard combination for making large skin incisions in general surgery.
Question 4: A Penrose drain is classified as which type of drain?
- Active closed-suction drain
- Passive open drain (Correct answer)
- Active open drain
- Sump drain
Correct answer: Passive open drain
A Penrose drain is a soft rubber tube that drains passively by gravity and capillary action without suction.
Question 5: What is the function of a trocar in laparoscopic surgery?
- To irrigate the surgical field
- To provide a port of entry for laparoscopic instruments (Correct answer)
- To retract the liver
- To control hemorrhage
Correct answer: To provide a port of entry for laparoscopic instruments
Trocars create sealed access ports through the abdominal wall that allow laparoscopic instruments to be inserted while maintaining pneumoperitoneum.
Question 6: Which instrument is used to clamp the cystic duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
- Babcock clamp
- Titanium clip applier
- Hemoclip
- Both titanium clip applier and hemoclip (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both titanium clip applier and hemoclip
Both titanium clip appliers and hemoclips are used to ligate (clamp) the cystic duct and cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Question 7: The primary purpose of a suction-irrigator device during laparoscopy is to:
- Provide pneumoperitoneum
- Remove blood and fluid while introducing saline for visibility (Correct answer)
- Seal tissue with heat
- Staple bowel ends together
Correct answer: Remove blood and fluid while introducing saline for visibility
The suction-irrigator simultaneously aspirates blood and debris and delivers saline irrigation to maintain clear visualization of the operative field.
CST Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment 3
During a laparoscopic procedure, the Veress needle is used to: