Free Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test Questions and Answers

Question 1

During the healing process following surgery, which of the following nursing diagnoses is the patient most likely to have?

Accepted Answer

Ineffective thermoregulation

Answer

Ineffective thermoregulation, often manifesting as hypothermia, is a very common nursing diagnosis in the immediate post-operative period. Patients are susceptible to heat loss due to anesthesia, exposure in the operating room, and altered physiological responses. Maintaining normothermia is crucial for optimal recovery and preventing complications.

Question 2

What features of the PACU might promote the psychological health of a surgical patient?

Accepted Answer

Low lighting is used during recovery to protect the patient from bright glare.

Answer

Low lighting in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) helps create a calm and soothing environment for patients emerging from anesthesia. It reduces sensory overload, minimizes discomfort from bright glare, and can help prevent agitation or disorientation. This contributes significantly to the patient's psychological comfort and promotes a smoother recovery process.

Question 3

The patient's blood pressure is 148/100 mmHg as they enter the recovery area. The anesthesiologist reports that the patient has no previous cardiac history and is currently asymptomatic. What will the nurse do next?

Accepted Answer

Both A and B

Answer

An elevated blood pressure post-operatively, even in an asymptomatic patient without a cardiac history, requires assessment. Raising the head of the bed can help reduce blood pressure and improve comfort. Simultaneously, assessing heart and lung sounds helps rule out underlying causes such as pain, anxiety, fluid overload, or respiratory compromise, guiding appropriate interventions.

Question 4

A patient is moved to the post-operative ward, and the nurse is informed of their condition. They learn about the patient's history of thrombocytopenia during the report. Which of the following actions should the nurse do to lower the likelihood that this patient may create a blood clot?

Accepted Answer

Both A and B

Answer

The provided correct answer (Both A and B) is medically incorrect for preventing blood clots (DVT) in a post-operative patient, especially one with thrombocytopenia (low platelets, which increases bleeding risk, not clotting risk). Keeping legs straight or placing a pillow under the knees can actually impede circulation and increase DVT risk. Standard DVT prevention includes early ambulation, leg exercises, and sometimes pharmacological prophylaxis, none of which are reflected in options A or B.

Question 5

After the patient has been moved to the surgical unit, which of the following procedures can the nurse carry out to lower the risk of infection?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you can, take out the catheter that is inside you.

Answer

Indwelling urinary catheters are a significant risk factor for healthcare-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Prompt removal of the catheter as soon as it is no longer medically necessary drastically reduces the duration of exposure to potential pathogens. This action is a key intervention for lowering the risk of infection in post-operative patients.