Mixed Deck — All NBSTSA Topics Flashcards

An item is considered sterile if it was sterilized by steam autoclave and stored in a clean, closed cabinet for:

Answer: Indefinitely, as long as packaging is intact

Per event-related sterility, an item sterilized by autoclave remains sterile indefinitely as long as the packaging remains intact and undamaged.

The scrub technologist's role in the final wound count is to:

Answer: Count with the circulator and verbally confirm all counts are correct before closure

The scrub person and circulator count together, both visualizing each item, and verbally confirm counts are correct to the surgeon before wound closure is completed.

During a sentinel lymph node biopsy, the surgeon uses a radioactive tracer and/or blue dye. Why must the scrub tech understand the specimen handling protocol for this procedure?

Answer: The radioactive node must be sent fresh (without formalin) to nuclear medicine, then to pathology for frozen section

Sentinel lymph node specimens follow a special chain of custody: the radioactive node is identified with a Geiger counter intraoperatively, then sent fresh (never in formalin) to nuclear medicine for counting and subsequently to pathology for frozen section analysis. Adding formalin would destroy the radioactive signal and prevent frozen section processing.

Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS), formerly called flash sterilization, should be used in which circumstance?

Answer: Only when an item is urgently needed and no sterile replacement is available

IUSS is intended only for emergency situations where a needed item is contaminated or dropped intraoperatively and no pre-packaged sterile replacement is available. It should never be used routinely because items are transported without packaging, increasing contamination risk, and cycle monitoring is reduced.

What bacteria can survive without oxygen?

Answer: anaerobes

Anaerobes are microorganisms, typically bacteria, that are capable of growing and thriving in environments completely devoid of oxygen. Unlike aerobes, which require oxygen for respiration, anaerobes utilize other molecules as electron acceptors for their metabolic processes. Some anaerobes are even harmed or killed by the presence of oxygen.

Which low-temperature sterilization method uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide combined with plasma energy and produces only water vapor and oxygen as byproducts?

Answer: Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (Sterrad)

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization (brand name Sterrad) uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide energized into a plasma state at low temperatures. It is effective for moisture-sensitive instruments, requires no aeration period, and produces only non-toxic byproducts (water vapor and oxygen).

A patient is positioned in lithotomy for a vaginal hysterectomy. Which complication is the surgical technologist most concerned about preventing?

Answer: Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities

In lithotomy, legs are elevated in stirrups. Prolonged elevation can reduce blood flow to the lower extremities, leading to compartment syndrome — a potentially limb-threatening complication unique to this position. Both legs must be raised and lowered simultaneously.

Which type of needle holder is specifically designed to prevent suture damage when working with delicate, fine suture material?

Answer: Castroviejo needle holder

The Castroviejo needle holder has fine, smooth jaws designed for ophthalmic and microsurgical procedures where delicate suture material must not be damaged.

Which aneurysm typically forms in the iliac and renal arteries?

Answer: abdominal aortic

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized enlargement or ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the body's largest artery. While primarily affecting the aorta, AAAs frequently extend into or involve the iliac arteries, which branch off the aorta. Although renal arteries are not directly part of the aneurysm, their proximity means they can be affected if the aneurysm is located near them.

What is the minimum sterile field margin from the edge of a draped table that is considered non-sterile?

Answer: 1 inch

The outer 1-inch border of a draped sterile field is considered non-sterile and must not be used for sterile items.

How are rickettsial diseases passed on?

Answer: arthropod bites

Rickettsial diseases are a group of infections caused by Rickettsia bacteria, which are obligate intracellular parasites. These diseases are primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected arthropods, such as ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. These arthropods act as vectors, carrying the bacteria from one host to another.

The drug category that includes midazolam (Versed) and is commonly used for preoperative anxiolysis and amnesia is:

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine that provides preoperative anxiolysis, sedation, and anterograde amnesia by enhancing GABA-mediated CNS inhibition.

Which type of surgical drain is commonly placed in the bile duct after common bile duct exploration?

Answer: T-tube drain

A T-tube drain is placed in the common bile duct after choledochotomy to maintain patency, allow bile drainage, and permit postoperative cholangiography.

Which heart valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle?

Answer: Mitral (bicuspid) valve

The mitral (bicuspid) valve is positioned between the left atrium and left ventricle, controlling blood flow from the pulmonary veins to the systemic circulation.

During the preoperative assessment, the surgical technologist notes the patient is taking warfarin. What is the primary concern with this medication in the perioperative period?

Answer: Increased bleeding risk

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, significantly increasing the risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding.

Protamine sulfate is administered intraoperatively to:

Answer: Reverse the effects of heparin

Protamine sulfate is the specific reversal agent for heparin anticoagulation, forming an inactive complex with heparin molecules.

Which anatomical landmark defines the transition from the jejunum to the ileum in the small bowel?

Answer: There is no distinct anatomical landmark

There is no distinct gross anatomical landmark between the jejunum and ileum; they are distinguished by histological differences, caliber, and relative position in the peritoneal cavity.

Which artery is the primary blood supply to the stomach along its lesser curvature?

Answer: Left and right gastric arteries

The left and right gastric arteries run along the lesser curvature of the stomach and are the primary arterial supply to that region.

A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. What is the standard NPO (nothing by mouth) guideline for clear liquids prior to elective surgery?

Answer: 2 hours

Current ASA guidelines allow clear liquids up to 2 hours before elective procedures under general anesthesia to reduce aspiration risk.

In surgical terminology, 'anastomosis' refers to:

Answer: A surgically created connection between two hollow structures

Anastomosis is a surgically created junction between two hollow tubular structures, such as segments of bowel (after resection), blood vessels (in bypass surgery), or other organs. Restoring bowel continuity after colectomy is a common example.