Free Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a BMI of 30 is admitted for surgery. What potential difficulties during the surgical procedure can be brought on by obesity?
- An infection is more prone to spread to the patient (Correct answer)
- Anemia is more likely to develop in the patient
- Diarrhea is more likely to strike the sufferer
- Postoperative bleeding is more likely to occur in the patient
Correct answer: An infection is more prone to spread to the patient
Obesity significantly increases the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) due to several factors. Adipose tissue has poor vascularity, which impairs oxygen delivery and antibiotic penetration to the surgical site, hindering healing and immune response. Additionally, larger incisions, increased tension on wound edges, and difficulty maintaining sterile fields can contribute to a higher susceptibility to infection in obese patients.
Question 2: Before a colon resection, the nurse assesses a patient and finds that their blood pressure is excessive at 142/90 mmHg. The nurse should do what comes next, right?
- Tell the patient they must lie flat for the next hour while you lower the bed's head
- Please note the vital sign in the patient's chart, let them rest peacefully in a room, and then check again in 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Obtain a prescription for antihypertensive drugs to maintain a healthy blood pressure level
- Report the blood pressure reading to the doctor and consider rescheduling the surgery
Correct answer: Please note the vital sign in the patient's chart, let them rest peacefully in a room, and then check again in 30 minutes
A blood pressure reading of 142/90 mmHg, while slightly elevated, is not an immediate contraindication for surgery unless accompanied by other severe symptoms or a history of uncontrolled hypertension. The appropriate nursing action is to document the finding, allow the patient to rest, and recheck the blood pressure after 30 minutes. This allows for potential reduction due to pre-operative anxiety and provides a more accurate baseline before escalating concerns to the physician.
Question 3: Which of the following is an intervention the nurse can use with a patient who has memory issues during the preoperative period's teaching phase?
- Reduce outside distractions by closing the door and turning off the television (Correct answer)
- Request a private conversation with the patient to avoid interference from the patient's family
- None of the above
- To avoid upsetting the patient, do not correct incorrect facts
Correct answer: Reduce outside distractions by closing the door and turning off the television
When teaching a patient with memory issues during the preoperative period, reducing outside distractions is a crucial intervention. By closing the door and turning off the television, the nurse creates a quiet and focused environment that minimizes sensory overload and improves the patient's ability to concentrate and retain information. This strategy enhances the effectiveness of teaching for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Question 4: When attempting to interview a patient with a language barrier but no interpreter is available, which of the following should the nurse do?
- Avoid using well-known words in the patient's native tongue if pronounced improperly
- Speak slowly and loudly to make sure the patient can hear you
- When an interpreter is there, refrain from speaking to the patient
- Act out some words while saying them to facilitate better understanding (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Act out some words while saying them to facilitate better understanding
When an interpreter is unavailable for a patient with a language barrier, acting out some words while saying them (using gestures and pantomime) can significantly facilitate understanding. This non-verbal communication can bridge the language gap by providing visual cues that reinforce the spoken words. While not a substitute for a professional interpreter, it can be a helpful temporary strategy to convey basic information and assess immediate needs.
Question 5: During a preoperative checkup, the nurse uses a tongue depressor to depress and move the patient's tongue. Which cranial nerve is being examined by this test?
- VII (facial)
- V (trigeminal)
- XII (hypoglossal) (Correct answer)
- X (Vagus)
Correct answer: XII (hypoglossal)
The hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) is primarily responsible for the motor control of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Depressing and moving the tongue with a tongue depressor directly assesses the function of these muscles. This test evaluates the integrity of the hypoglossal nerve, as damage can impair tongue movement, speech, and swallowing.
Question 6: What needs to be discussed by the nurse before using Hypaque for arteriography?
- Is the patient allergic to shellfish? (Correct answer)
- Does the patient have high blood pressure?
- What is the patient’s ethnic background?
- Does the patient have anxiety?
Correct answer: Is the patient allergic to shellfish?
Hypaque is an iodinated contrast agent used in arteriography. Patients with a known allergy to shellfish often have a cross-sensitivity to iodine-based contrast media due to the presence of iodine in shellfish. Therefore, screening for shellfish allergies is crucial to prevent potentially severe allergic reactions to the contrast agent.
Question 7: When the surgery is finished, the patient is extubated. The mouth and tube have been suctioned, and the cuff deflated. What comes next in this procedure?
- To make it easier to remove the tube, bend the patient's head downward and toward the chest
- Ten more minutes of assisted ventilation should be provided using a bag attached to the ET tube
- Apply cricoid pressure to the neck while carefully removing the tube with the thumb and forefinger
- Insert a suction catheter into the tube and apply suction while pulling the tube out (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Insert a suction catheter into the tube and apply suction while pulling the tube out
When extubating a patient, it is essential to clear any secretions from the airway to prevent aspiration. Inserting a suction catheter into the endotracheal tube and applying suction while simultaneously removing the tube helps to remove secretions that may have accumulated. This technique minimizes the risk of the patient aspirating these secretions as the tube passes through the glottis.
Question 8: Which safety measures must the nurse take into account when weighing a patient who requires a sling scale?
- When rolling the patient onto the sling, make sure the bed rails are raised.
- Drains or tubing should be allowed to dangle over the edge of the sling so as not to add weight.
- Every time you weigh the patient, make sure they are dressed similarly.
- Both A and C (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and C
When weighing a patient using a sling scale, safety and accuracy are paramount. Raising the bed rails prevents the patient from falling during transfer, ensuring safety. Additionally, ensuring the patient is dressed similarly each time maintains consistency and accuracy in weight measurements, as clothing variations can alter the recorded weight.
Question 9: As part of a preoperative process, the nurse is getting ready to place a nasogastric tube inside of a patient. Which of the following statements about nasogastric tube placement is accurate?
- During placement, the patient is positioned in the reverse-Trendelenburg position.
- A CT scan is used to confirm where the nasogastric tube should be placed.
- To help the tube proceed during the surgery, the patient might need to drink water. (Correct answer)
- Both B and C
Correct answer: To help the tube proceed during the surgery, the patient might need to drink water.
During nasogastric (NG) tube insertion, having the patient swallow or drink sips of water can facilitate the tube's passage down the esophagus. Swallowing helps to open the epiglottis and guide the tube into the esophagus rather than the trachea. This makes the insertion process smoother, reduces discomfort, and is a common technique to aid NG tube placement.
Question 10: What one of the following is invasive hemodynamic monitoring used for during surgery?
- To measure effectiveness of the heart muscle. (Correct answer)
- To confirm changes in the patient’s clinical status.
- To assess for depletion or restoration of electrolytes.
- Both A and C
Correct answer: To measure effectiveness of the heart muscle.
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring involves placing catheters into blood vessels and the heart to directly measure pressures, volumes, and cardiac output. These measurements provide real-time, precise data on the heart's pumping ability and overall cardiovascular function. This allows clinicians to assess the effectiveness of the heart muscle and guide interventions during surgery.
Question 11: When administering furosemide to a patient, which of the following interventions must the nurse take into account?
- After administration, check and record the patient's potassium levels.
- Keep an eye out for the patient's face flushing and tachypnea.
- Give the medication carefully, over about two minutes.
- Both A and C (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and C
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that can cause significant electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia. Therefore, monitoring potassium levels after administration is crucial to prevent complications. Additionally, administering furosemide intravenously too rapidly can lead to ototoxicity and hypotension, so it should be given carefully over about two minutes to mitigate these risks.
Question 12: Where should a patient be placed for a temporal craniectomy by the perioperative nurse?
- Lateral recumbent
- Sitting (Correct answer)
- Prone
- Supine
Correct answer: Sitting
For a temporal craniectomy, which involves accessing the temporal lobe of the brain, the sitting position is often preferred. This position allows for optimal surgical access to the temporal region and facilitates venous drainage to reduce intracranial pressure. Proper padding and support are crucial to prevent nerve damage and ensure patient safety.
Question 13: When setting up or operating a laser unit for surgery, which of the following steps does the nurse need to take into account?
- So that the surgeon can easily access the foot control device, place it next to all other foot pedals underneath the table.
- Move laser equipment with caution to prevent hitting things or injuring internal parts. (Correct answer)
- Instead of placing liquids and solutions directly on top of the laser device, leave them adjacent to it.
- Only if the laser device breaks down should you let the doctor remove the external component.
Correct answer: Move laser equipment with caution to prevent hitting things or injuring internal parts.
Laser units are delicate and expensive pieces of medical equipment containing sensitive optical and electronic components. Moving them with caution and avoiding bumps or impacts is essential to prevent damage to their internal parts. Proper handling ensures the longevity and reliable operation of the device, preventing costly repairs or safety hazards during surgery.
Question 14: Why does central processing send a case cart with operating room materials for a surgical procedure?
- It leaves more space in the operating room for the surgery by reducing the number of supplies and materials there. (Correct answer)
- It enables the central processing unit to decide which materials are required for each distinct procedure.
- It saves time for the nursing team in deciding what supplies are required.
- It adds to the workload of those working in central processing.
Correct answer: It leaves more space in the operating room for the surgery by reducing the number of supplies and materials there.
A case cart system is designed to deliver all necessary sterile supplies and instruments for a specific surgical procedure to the operating room (OR) in an organized manner. By pre-assembling and delivering only the required items, it minimizes clutter and reduces the overall volume of supplies stored within the OR itself. This optimization of space enhances efficiency, safety, and workflow during the surgical procedure.
Question 15: Which of the following actions will cause contamination when operating in a sterile field?
- Dropping items onto the sterile field.
- Getting around the perimeter of a sterile space.
- Keeping your gloved hands in front of your body, above your waist.
- Following positioning, adjusting the patient's drape. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Following positioning, adjusting the patient's drape.
Once a sterile drape has been placed on a patient, it establishes a sterile field. Any adjustment or movement of the drape after it has been positioned is considered a break in sterile technique. This is because the underside of the drape, which may have contacted non-sterile surfaces, could be brought into the sterile field, introducing the risk of contamination.
Question 16: When a patient is brought into the PACU, they exhibit snoring breathing patterns and minimal chest expansion. Their oxygen saturations are at 94% and are starting to decline, the nurse observes. What does the nurse do first?
- Open the airway by giving the jaw a shove.
- Encourage the sufferer to breathe more deeply. (Correct answer)
- Inform the doctor right away.
- The patient should be prone.
Correct answer: Encourage the sufferer to breathe more deeply.
Snoring breathing patterns and minimal chest expansion in the PACU, especially with declining oxygen saturation, suggest upper airway obstruction or hypoventilation. The initial, least invasive intervention is to encourage the patient to take deeper breaths. This can help clear minor obstructions, improve lung expansion, and increase oxygen intake, potentially resolving the issue before more aggressive interventions are needed.
Free Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Questions and Answers
A patient with a BMI of 30 is admitted for surgery.
What potential difficulties during the surgical procedure can be brought on by obesity?