FREE Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Questions and Answers
Which of the following actions will cause contamination when operating in a sterile field?
Explanation:
Field contamination will come from adjusting the patient's drape after installation. To preserve the sterile field, drapes are placed on patients and typically fastened using clips. Once they're in position, they shouldn't be changed or moved because doing so could contaminate the area close to the incision. Except in cases when they are torn, drapes should stay in place during the surgery.
What one of the following is invasive hemodynamic monitoring used for during surgery?
Explanation:
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring is done during surgery in order to gauge the efficiency of the heart muscle. A clinical picture of the heart's function is provided to the nurse by hemodynamic monitoring. This kind of monitoring frequently alerts the nurse to potential cardiac alterations even before the patient begins to exhibit clinical status changes.
Which safety measures must the nurse take into account when weighing a patient who requires a sling scale?
Explanation:
When weighing a patient on a sling scale, the nurse should make sure the patient is dressed the same each time and that the bed rails are up before rolling them into the sling. When patients dress the same way, the likelihood of large weight discrepancies attributable to apparel is reduced; for the majority of weights, a patient can wear a hospital gown. The patient cannot roll out of bed and suffer an injury while being transferred to the sling if the bed rails are raised.
Why does central processing send a case cart with operating room materials for a surgical procedure?
Explanation:
When a case cart is delivered from central processing for a surgical procedure, the amount of supplies and materials in the operating room are decreased, making more space available for the surgery. While case carts, which should contain the majority of the surgical team's supplies for a surgery, can be distributed via central processing, other supplies can be kept in storage in the operating room. After the process, the cart can be returned for material sterilization, freeing up space for the subsequent surgery.
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?
Explanation:
Inserting a suction catheter into the tube and applying suction while drawing the line out is the next stage in the extubation procedure. This procedure helps eliminate tracheal secretions while also getting rid of the tube. If the patient doesn't tolerate the process immediately, the nurse should be prepared to provide oxygen once the line has been removed.
Where should a patient be placed for a temporal craniectomy by the perioperative nurse?
Explanation:
The patient having a temporal craniectomy would probably be sitting down. The surgeon has unobstructed access to the temporal bone of the skull from this posture. The patient is fastened to the table and has their hands on their lap. To avoid changes in blood pressure if the patient is shifted from this posture to one of a lower level, such as semi-Fowler or supine, repositioning and moving after the surgery must be done gradually.
When attempting to interview a patient with a language barrier but no interpreter is available, which of the following should the nurse do?
Explanation:
When speaking to a patient with a language barrier without an interpreter, the nurse should act out some words to aid in better comprehension. It's possible that the nurse needs to be made aware of the patient's actual English proficiency. When a nurse pantomimes while speaking, the patient may see what the nurse is attempting to say.
When administering furosemide to a patient, which of the following interventions must the nurse take into account?
Explanation:
Furosemide must be given gently, over a period of two minutes, and the nurse must monitor and record the patient's potassium levels once the medication has been given. A diuretic, such as furosemide, will make the patient excrete more urine. Increased excretion of potassium through the urine raises the likelihood of developing hypokalemia.
When setting up or operating a laser unit for surgery, which of the following steps does the nurse need to take into account?
Explanation:
Laser equipment must be handled carefully by the nurse to prevent bumping into things or breaking internal parts. Depending on the technology, moving laser units can be challenging or the perioperative nurse might not be in charge of carrying them. However, moving this equipment requires careful thought of the route to be taken in order to prevent hitting it or damaging it. This can result in equipment issues, which can be extremely hazardous when attempting to use the laser in subsequent surgeries.
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?
Explanation:
The patient may need to drink water during the insertion of a nasogastric tube in order to progress the tube. Sipping water makes it easier for the tube to pass through any little impediment it may encounter as it is being inserted towards the back of the throat. During the process, the patient's tendency to gag or vomit may be lessened by swallowing while drinking water.
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?
Explanation:
When a nurse checks a patient's preoperative blood pressure and finds that it is elevated at 142/90 mmHg, she should note this information in the patient's records, let the patient rest quietly in a room, and then recheck the patient in 30 minutes. The patient's high blood pressure could be caused by anxiety over the impending procedure or another medical issue. The nurse should inform the surgeon, but a new date for the system is only sometimes necessary.
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?
Explanation:
The nurse should encourage the patient to breathe more deeply. Following anesthesia, the patient can be in a relaxed state and the tongue muscle might fall back, partially occluding the airway. When the patient is stimulated, they might slightly awaken and take several deep breaths, which will lessen their snoring while also increasing their respiratory effort and oxygen saturations. The nurse should think about moving the patient and giving them oxygen if their respirations remain low.
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?
Explanation:
The nurse can lessen outside distractions while imparting knowledge to a memory-loss patient by shutting the door and turning off the television. This action could encourage the patient to pay closer attention to what the nurse says. To help the patient understand the operation, involving family members and communicating ideas is crucial. The nurse can handle this by writing down details regarding the surgery for the patient to recall to dispel misconceptions rather than letting the patient become misled.
A patient with a BMI of 30 is admitted for surgery. What potential difficulties during the surgical procedure can be brought on by obesity?
Explanation:
An infection is more likely to spread in an obese patient. Obesity-related increases in fat cells make them more susceptible to infection following surgery. Additionally, the extra weight makes it harder for the obese patient to turn and move, which raises the risk of disease from inactivity.
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?
Explanation:
Examining cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, can involve depressing and manipulating the patient's tongue with a tongue depressor. This nerve regulates tongue motion and affects how saliva is swallowed. The patient's ability to eat and speak may be impacted by tongue injury if intubated during the surgical operation.
What needs to be discussed by the nurse before using Hypaque for arteriography?
Explanation:
The nurse should find out if the patient has a shellfish allergy. An allergy to shellfish may be a sign of iodine sensitivity, one of Hypaque's ingredients. For tests like arteriography, this solution serves as a contrast medium. The nurse should test the patient for iodine sensitivity before delivering the contrast to prevent allergic reactions.
