Which of the following is NOT an example of blunt dissection of tissue? a. using a gloved finger against tissue b. using a dissection sponge (peanut) c. surgeon and assistant pulling open peritoneum bilaterally d. using endo shears through laparoscopic trocar to separate tissue

Best practice states that all of the following items remain sterile until the patient leaves the room, EXCEPT the: a. back table. b. basin set. c. Mayo stand. d. surgical drapes.

When does the intraoperative phase of case management begin? a. when the patient is admitted to the hospital b. when the surgeon arrives in the operating room c. when the incision is made or an endoscope is inserted d. when the sterile dressings are applied

An example of an anticipatory skill that CST should learn is: a. reading X-rays. b. drawing blood samples. c. passing instruments to surgeon. d. administering medications.

What should a CST do if they notice a break in sterile technique during surgery? a. ignore it and continue with a task b. inform the surgeon after the surgery is complete c. recognize and correct the break in the sterile technique d. report it to the hospital administration

What should a CST do when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is opened during surgery? a. use the same Mayo stand for clean and dirty instruments b. move the clean Mayo stand away from the operative field c. maintain the same surgical setup throughout the procedure d. use a separate instrument pad for GI procedures

The neutral zone is used for: a. securing Bovie and suction. b. safe sharps handling. c. extra instruments. d. camera placement when not in use.

Which of the following types of communication is most common within the sterile field during surgery? a. written communication b. nonverbal communication c. verbal communication d. visual communication

When the surgeon asks for an item during surgery, the typical response from the CST is to: a. tell the surgeon to wait a minute. b. place the item on the surgeon’s hand. c. ignore the request if the item is not readily available. d. acknowledge the request and inform when the item is expected.

The primary principle when passing instruments to the surgeon is to: a. pass the instrument quickly to save time. b. place the instrument in a neutral zone. c. pass the instrument with the blade facing the surgeon. d. place instrument into a surgeon’s palm so that it is received as ready for use.

Which of the following instruments is considered one of the more dangerous instruments used in surgery? a. needle holder b. retractor c. scalpel d. laparotomy sponges

Which of the following practices is the best practice for counting laparotomy sponges during surgery? a. count them only at the end of the procedure b. count them as they are packed into the abdomen and keep an ongoing count c. leave the counting to the circulator d. count them only when they are removed from the abdomen

When the surgeon is on the same side of the table as the CST and to the CST’s left, which hand should the CST use for passing instruments to the surgeon’s right hand? a. CST’s left hand b. CST’s right hand c. the CST can choose either hand d. the CST should not pass instruments in this situation

One of the primary reasons for arranging instruments and supplies on the Mayo stand in a specific manner is: a. to make the surgical field look organized. b. to minimize the number of instruments needed. c. to ensure safe and efficient instrument transfer. d. to keep the sterile field clean for post-op inspection.

A kick bucket is used for: a. trash from the back table. b. sharps. c. used liquids. d. used sponges.

The CST should anticipate the continuing need for hemostasis during the surgical procedure: a. after the wound edges are retracted. b. during the final would inspection. c. when the wound is irrigated. d. throughout the entire procedure.

Which of the following individuals typically requests additional items to be added to the sterile field? a. The surgeon b. The CST c. The anesthesiologist d. The circulator

When adding items to the sterile field, it is important to consider: a. that they should be immediately placed in the surgeon’s hand. b. that the additional items should not disrupt the progression of the surgical procedure. c. that the CST should anticipate all potential needs in advance. d. that the circulator should handle all aspects of adding items to the field.

Which of the following statements describes how soiled sponges are counted? a. They are counted by the CST and placed in an impermeable plastic bag by circulator. b. They are counted by the CST and placed on the side table for better visualization. c. They are counted by the CST and the circulator and placed in an impermeable plastic bag. d. They are counted by the surgeon and the CST and placed on the side table.

Which of the following statements describes what should be done with used needles and scalpel blades during surgery? a. They should be placed under the towel for safety. b. They should be handed off to the circulator after use. c. They should be left on the Mayo stand. d. They should be placed in the sharps pad container on the back table.

The final count is performed during surgery: a. at the end of the procedure. b. when surgeon is the closing fascia. c. when patient leaving the operating room. d. when surgeon is closing the skin incision.

Which of the following individuals is responsible for labeling all the medication on the sterile field? a. CST b. RN c. surgeon d. first assistant

Which of the following procdures is the responsibility of the CST regarding specimen care? a. to prepare and label specimen b. to hand off unlabeled specimen to the circulator c. to ensure specimens are disposed of properly d. to ensure specimen is placed in the formalin

Which of the following types of specimens is usually immediately handed off the sterile field to the circulator for preparation and labeling? a. specimen for permanent section b. specimen for frozen section c. specimen for imaging d. specimen for research purposes

Which of the following methods is recommended for replacing a contaminated glove? a. assisted gloving b. re-gowning and re-gloving c. open gloving d. open gloving over contaminated glove

Which of the following choices should the CST provide to the surgeon for cleaning the incision site at the end of the procedure? a. a wet sponge b. a dry sponge c. a wet and a dry sponge d. a clean towel

The purpose of applying a nonadherent contact layer before dressing a wound is to: a. absorb excess blood. b. prevent infection. c. provide cushioning. d. avoid anything sticking to the wound.

Which of the following procedures is considered best practice regarding the maintenance of the sterility of the sterile back table, Mayo stand, and basin set? a. keep them sterile throughout the surgery only b. keep them sterile until the patient is transported out of the OR c. keep them sterile until surgeon leaves the OR d. keep them sterile until patient wakes up from anesthesia

The purpose of removing gloves one layer at a time during glove removal is to: a. prevent contamination of the gloves. b. avoid tearing the gloves. c. identify any glove punctures or tears. d. speed up the removal process.

The purpose of securing a patient’s closed wound drainage systems, such as a Hemovac or Jackson-Pratt drain, with tape is to: a. prevent infection. b. keep the patient warm. c. make it easier to move the patient. d. prevent the drain from being pulled out.

Which of the following individuals typically coordinates the transfer of an anesthetized patient from the operating bed to the stretcher? a. the CST b. the anesthesiologist c. the surgeon d. the circulator

Which of the following supplies is NOT typically found in a PACU cubicle? a. suture materials b. bedpans c. emesis basins d. surgical instruments

Which of the following criteria is used to evaluate patients for safe discharge from the PACU? a. ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) b. Aldrete score (consciousness, mobility, breathing, circulation, skin color) c. Glasgow Coma Scale d. pain level assessment

When called upon during an emergency situation in the PACU, the primary role of the CST is to: a. provide psychological support to the patient. b. assist with patient transportation. c. retrieve needed equipment and supplies. d. document the patient’s condition.

Which of the following complications might require the CST to assist with setting up wall suction and tubing in the PACU? a. nausea and vomiting b. airway occlusion c. emergence delirium d. neurologic complications

Which of the following procedures should be followed with all sharps, such as needles and scalpels, once the patient leaves the OR? a. keep them on the back table for next ten minutes in case of an emergency b. dispose of them in the regular trash bins c. throw them into the hazardous waste container d. hand them to the circulator

Which of the following statements explains why there are special considerations when instruments are used on a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease? a. It is a bacterial infection, and instruments may carry the bacteria. b. It is a prion disease, and prions are highly resistant to standard sterilization methods. c. It is a viral infection and highly resistant to standard sterilization. d. It is a fungal infection, and fungi can spread through the instruments.

Which of the following statements describes how suction canisters and tubing are typically disposed of? a. They are sent for sterilization and reused. b. They are discarded in the regular bins. c. They are placed in the linen hamper. d. They are discarded according to hospital policy, which may include hazardous waste disposal.

The purpose of covering contaminated items during transport to the decontamination area is to: a. hide how bloody instruments are. b. keep items moist. c. prevent contamination from spreading. d. make them easier to carry.

It is important to follow a consistent routine for room turnover in the OR to: a. allow more times for breaks between surgeries. b. make the OR staff’s job more intense. c. keep the schedule of procedures on track and prevent delays. d. reduce the number of staff needed in the OR.

Emergence delirium happens to pediatric patients more often than adults. True/False

True

The CST needs to ask for dressing material in the beginning of the surgery and keep it on the back table. True/False

False

The proper sequence for performing intraoperative and closing counts is operative site, Mayo stand, back table, basins, kick bucket or off field. True/False

True

The ability to anticipate the needs of the surgeon is one of the most important skills for a surgical technologist to develop. True/False

True

If the sleeve is contaminated, the circulator can open a sterile sleeve to the CST so that the CST does not have to break and don a new gown. True/False

True