Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a procedure on a patient's hand, the surgeon requests "Xylocaine with epinephrine." The surgical technologist notes the scheduled procedure is a digital nerve block for the index finger. What is the most critical concern with this request?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine can cause severe vasoconstriction, leading to digital ischemia.

Answer

Epinephrine is a potent vasoconstrictor. Its use in areas with end-arterial circulation, such as fingers, toes, the nose, and the penis, is traditionally contraindicated because it can restrict blood flow to the point of causing tissue necrosis.

Question 2

A surgeon performing a coronary artery bypass graft requests papaverine to be applied topically to the internal mammary artery. The primary function of papaverine in this application is to:

Accepted Answer

prevent vasospasm.

Answer

Papaverine is a direct-acting smooth muscle relaxant and vasodilator. In vascular surgery, it is applied topically to harvested vessels, like the internal mammary artery or saphenous vein, to prevent or reverse spasms of the vessel wall, which ensures adequate blood flow through the graft.

Question 3

During a vascular procedure, the anesthesia provider announces that they are administering protamine sulfate. The surgical technologist should recognize that this drug is being used to reverse the effects of which medication?

Accepted Answer

Heparin

Answer

Protamine sulfate is a specific antidote for heparin. It binds with the strongly acidic heparin to form a stable, inactive salt, thereby neutralizing heparin's anticoagulant effect. It is commonly used after cardiovascular or vascular procedures where systemic heparinization was required.

Question 4

Which of the following is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent characterized by a rapid onset and very short duration of action, often used for endotracheal intubation?

Accepted Answer

Succinylcholine (Anectine)

Answer

Succinylcholine is the only depolarizing neuromuscular blocker in common clinical use. It works by binding to acetylcholine receptors, causing initial muscle fasciculations followed by paralysis. Its rapid onset and short duration make it ideal for facilitating rapid sequence intubation.

Question 5

The surgical technologist is preparing a hemostatic agent by mixing a powder with thrombin. The final product is a spongy material that will be applied topically to an oozing surface. The circulator reminds the team, "This should never be injected." Which of the following agents fits this description?

Accepted Answer

Absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam)

Answer

Absorbable gelatin sponges like Gelfoam are often soaked in a thrombin solution to enhance their hemostatic properties. The product labeling explicitly warns against placing it in intravascular compartments because if this combination were injected, it would cause extensive clotting (thrombosis) and could lead to a fatal embolism.

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test

Certified Surgical Technologist Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia Questions and Answers