Free Certified Surgical Technologist (AST) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If an ovarian tumor is cancerous, what organs must be removed?
- Bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries, uterus (Correct answer)
- Upper arms, neckline and axillary region
- Never until the patient is discharged from the facility
- Patient marks with an “X” and witness verify
Correct answer: Bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries, uterus
When an ovarian tumor is cancerous, the standard surgical treatment often involves a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This procedure removes the uterus, both fallopian tubes, and both ovaries. This comprehensive removal ensures all potential cancerous tissue and areas of metastasis are excised, as ovarian cancer can spread locally to these adjacent organs.
Question 2: The inner ear's spiral, conical structure is called the
- Cochlea (Correct answer)
- Penrose
- Third
- Formalin
Correct answer: Cochlea
The cochlea is the correct answer because it is the spiral-shaped, fluid-filled cavity in the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses. This conical structure houses the organ of Corti, which contains the hair cells crucial for hearing, making it central to auditory perception.
Question 3: What is the name of the interaction between two organisms that coexist in the same space but where one benefits while the other is unaffected?
- Parotid
- Mitochondria
- Commensalism (Correct answer)
- Penrose
Correct answer: Commensalism
The correct answer is Commensalism. This term describes a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits from the interaction, while the other organism is neither significantly harmed nor helped. Unlike mutualism (where both benefit) or parasitism (where one benefits at the expense of the other), commensalism is characterized by a neutral effect on one of the participants.
Question 4: Is permission for treatment granted in full awareness of the risks?
- Artificial active
- Informed consent (Correct answer)
- Clostridium tetani
- Abdominal aortic
Correct answer: Informed consent
The correct answer is Informed Consent. This is a crucial ethical and legal principle in healthcare, requiring that a patient or their legal guardian grant permission for a medical procedure or treatment only after being fully informed of all relevant facts. This includes understanding the nature of the treatment, its potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and the consequences of refusing treatment, ensuring the decision is made with full awareness.
Question 5: Which one of the following constitutes a high-level disinfection technique?
- Acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
- 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Name, Date of birth, Physician
- Feet first, side rails up
Correct answer: 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes
High-level disinfection is a process that kills all microorganisms except for a high number of bacterial spores. Using 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes is a recognized method for achieving high-level disinfection, as glutaraldehyde is a potent chemical sterilant and disinfectant effective against a broad spectrum of microbes. This method is commonly used for heat-sensitive medical devices that cannot be sterilized by heat.
Question 6: Which of the following glands may have irritation if the mumps is present?
- Parotid (Correct answer)
- Third
- Hysterectomy
- 270-276
Correct answer: Parotid
The correct answer is the Parotid gland. Mumps is a viral infection primarily known for causing painful swelling of the parotid glands, which are the largest salivary glands located just below and in front of the ears. This characteristic swelling is a hallmark symptom of the disease.
Question 7: How should the stretcher be positioned when an elevator moves a patient to the or?
- Enter head first, exit feet first (Correct answer)
- Acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
- Repositioning penetrating towel clip
- Name, date of birth, physician
Correct answer: Enter head first, exit feet first
When transporting a patient on a stretcher in an elevator to the operating room, the stretcher should enter head first and exit feet first. This protocol ensures that the patient's head is always facing the direction of travel when entering or exiting the elevator. This allows the transporter to maintain visual contact with the patient's face and airway, and to react quickly in case of an emergency.
Question 8: Which of the following preparation methods is best for a split-thickness skin graft?
- anaerobes
- chlorhexidine (Correct answer)
- hypertension
- compound
Correct answer: chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine is considered the best preparation method for a split-thickness skin graft due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and persistent effect on the skin. Unlike some other antiseptics, chlorhexidine is less irritating to delicate tissues and has a lower risk of ototoxicity or neurotoxicity. This makes it a safer and more effective choice for use on both donor and recipient sites where tissue integrity is critical.
Question 9: What kind of operation would require tooth removal?
- systolic
- insulin
- bacillus
- extractions (Correct answer)
Correct answer: extractions
The correct answer is extractions. Tooth removal is medically referred to as a dental extraction. This procedure is performed when a tooth is severely damaged, decayed, impacted, or causing overcrowding, and cannot be saved through other dental treatments.
Question 10: Which of the following is an example of a fenestrated drape?
- systolic
- fistula
- mitochondria
- aperture (Correct answer)
Correct answer: aperture
An aperture drape is an example of a fenestrated drape. A fenestrated drape is a sterile surgical drape that has a pre-cut opening, or "aperture," designed to expose only the surgical site while covering the rest of the patient. This helps maintain a sterile field around the incision area and prevents contamination.
Question 11: What is the term for cardiac compression brought on by an excess of fluid or blood?
- daily
- flat
- fistula
- tamponade (Correct answer)
Correct answer: tamponade
The correct term for cardiac compression caused by an excess of fluid or blood in the pericardial sac is cardiac tamponade. This life-threatening condition occurs when fluid accumulation around the heart restricts its ability to fill with blood. This leads to decreased cardiac output and potentially circulatory collapse.
Question 12: What is the first part of the small intestine?
- fistula
- duodenum (Correct answer)
- cerumen
- love
Correct answer: duodenum
The duodenum is the first and shortest segment of the small intestine, immediately following the stomach. It plays a crucial role in digestion by receiving partially digested food (chyme) and mixing it with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. This initial segment is where most chemical digestion occurs before absorption primarily takes place in the jejunum and ileum.
Question 13: Which suffix denotes a fluid removal procedure during surgery?
- kyphosis
- fascia
- -centesis (Correct answer)
- subdural
Correct answer: -centesis
The suffix "-centesis" in medical terminology specifically denotes a surgical puncture procedure to aspirate or remove fluid from a body cavity or organ. Examples include thoracentesis (removal of fluid from the chest) or paracentesis (removal of fluid from the abdomen). This suffix is essential for describing procedures involving fluid drainage for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Question 14: Which of the following uses a binocular microscope to examine the cervix?
- trauma
- colposcopy (Correct answer)
- atherosclerosis
- acute
Correct answer: colposcopy
A colposcopy is a medical procedure that uses a colposcope, which is a specialized binocular microscope, to provide a magnified, illuminated view of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. This allows for close examination of these tissues for signs of disease, such as precancerous lesions. It is commonly performed after an abnormal Pap test result to further investigate cellular changes.
Question 15: Which middle ear ossicle has the oval window covered?
- parasitism
- 85
- daily
- stapes (Correct answer)
Correct answer: stapes
The stapes, also known as the stirrup, is the smallest bone in the human body and one of the three ossicles in the middle ear. Its footplate fits into and covers the oval window, a membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear to the inner ear. The stapes transmits sound vibrations from the incus to the fluid-filled cochlea, playing a critical role in hearing.
Question 16: When a patient is lying flat, where should the safety strap be fastened?
- after each case
- Ampulla of Vater
- pharynx and trachea
- over the thighs (Correct answer)
Correct answer: over the thighs
When a patient is lying flat (supine position) on the operating table, the safety strap should be securely fastened over the thighs. This placement helps to prevent the patient from falling off the table during movement or in the event of unexpected shifts. It ensures patient safety without restricting circulation or respiration, which could occur if placed over the chest or abdomen.
Free Certified Surgical Technologist (AST) Questions and Answers
If an ovarian tumor is cancerous, what organs must be removed?