CST Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a craniotomy, which powered instrument is used to cut through the skull?
- Oscillating saw
- Gigli saw
- Craniotome (pneumatic or electric) (Correct answer)
- Stryker cast saw
Correct answer: Craniotome (pneumatic or electric)
A craniotome (also called a perforator/drill with a craniotome attachment) is used to make burr holes and cut the bone flap during a craniotomy.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a nerve hook during surgery?
- To cut nerve tissue
- To gently retract or identify a nerve without damaging it (Correct answer)
- To measure nerve conduction
- To ligate a nerve
Correct answer: To gently retract or identify a nerve without damaging it
A nerve hook is a blunt, curved instrument used to gently identify, separate, and retract delicate nerve structures during dissection.
Question 3: Which instrument would be used to grasp and manipulate the appendix during an appendectomy?
- Deaver retractor
- Babcock clamp (Correct answer)
- Rochester-Pean clamp
- Sponge stick
Correct answer: Babcock clamp
The Babcock clamp has atraumatic, fenestrated jaws that grasp hollow or tubular structures such as the appendix or bowel without crushing.
Question 4: Flash sterilization (immediate-use steam sterilization) should be used:
- Routinely for all instruments
- Only when no other option exists and the item is needed immediately for an urgent case (Correct answer)
- For all heat-sensitive items
- For implantable devices only
Correct answer: Only when no other option exists and the item is needed immediately for an urgent case
IUSS (flash sterilization) is acceptable only when items are needed urgently and there is no time for standard sterilization; it is not for routine use or implants.
Question 5: What is the proper sequence for passing a sharp instrument such as a loaded scalpel?
- Hand it directly handle-first with the blade exposed
- Use the neutral zone (no-touch technique) to place and retrieve the instrument (Correct answer)
- Toss it gently to the surgeon
- Hand it blade-first so the surgeon can grip the handle
Correct answer: Use the neutral zone (no-touch technique) to place and retrieve the instrument
The neutral zone (hands-free technique) requires placing sharps in a designated area rather than hand-to-hand transfer to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 6: Which vessel loop material is used to tag and retract delicate blood vessels or nerves during surgery?
- Silk suture tie
- Silastic (silicone) vessel loop (Correct answer)
- Cotton umbilical tape
- Penrose drain
Correct answer: Silastic (silicone) vessel loop
Silastic vessel loops are thin, pliable silicone bands used to gently identify, isolate, and retract delicate vessels and nerves without causing damage.
Question 7: Which instrument is used to dilate the cervix during a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure?
- Hegar dilators
- Van Buren sounds
- Pratt dilators
- Both Hegar and Pratt dilators (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both Hegar and Pratt dilators
Both Hegar and Pratt dilators are cervical dilators used progressively from small to large to open the cervical os before uterine curettage.
CST Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment 5
During a craniotomy, which powered instrument is used to cut through the skull?