CST Study Guide 2 Flashcards
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should the ST anticipate as the NEXT step?
Suction the fluid from the abdomen
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical
technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before
pushing everything back. According to best practice, which of the following should be
the NEXT step?
Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the
contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist should request additional
lap sponges.
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
epiphyseal plate.
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious
patient for a surgical procedure?
The patient’s durable POA requests it be continued.
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure?
to aid visual inspection for leakage
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is
15-25
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted?
Pathology
A patient’s dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper procedure for the care of the dentures?
Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient’s chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety
precaution, the surgical technologist should have which of the following special
equipment open and available?
smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery?
vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including
sodium, potassium, and calcium
Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding occurring from needle holes in vessel anastomosis?
pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation?
green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by
incision of the dura mater.
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs
the initial skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at
this time?
Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field intraoperatively because it
is sent to pathology immediately.
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer?
0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist’s glove. What should the surgical technologist do NEXT?
Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) setup?
resectoscope
Which of the following terms describes airway assessment by listening with a stethoscope?
auscultation
Which of the following techniques promotes safety and protection of the surgical technologist during the intraoperative phase?
establishing a neutral zone
Which of the following verifies that autoclave sterilization has occurred?
biological indicator
Which of the following instruments is used in otorhinolaryngology surgery?
Baron
Which of the following instruments is used in otorhinolaryngology surgery?
AAMI
For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a second mayo stand
for the placement of dirty surgical instruments. Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to be placed on the second mayo stand?
Allis forceps
When loading items in a gravity-displaced steam sterilizer, heavy packs should be placed
at the periphery of the load
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A surgical
technologist should prepare a suture attached to which of the following types of
needles?
blunt
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a vascular graft from one incision to another?
tunneler
Which of the following combination of medications are commonly used during a MAC?
nerve conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or
amnesics
Which of the following items must the surgical technologist have available after a thyroidectomy?
scalpel, hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube.
Which of the following is the name of the avascular strip of tissue at the midline which runs from the xiphoid process to the pubis?
linea alba
A three-way Foley catheter is inserted following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in order to
irrigate and aid in hemostasis
A patient is in the supine position for a procedure. After the arms are placed on arm boards, padding is placed under the elbows to decrease pressure on which of the following nerves?
ulnar
Which of the following supplies should be pulled by the surgical technologist for a thoracic procedure?
water-sealed drainage system
The FIRST sign of malignant hyperthermia is
unexplained tachycardia.
Prior to the closure of an arteriotomy, which of the following solutions should the surgical technologist have ready for irrigation of the operative site?
heparinized saline
Herniation of the rectum through a weakened posterior vaginal wall is known as
a rectocele.
If a surgeon requests Gelfoam soaked with thrombin, the method to maintain hemostasis is
chemical
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which of the following procedures might be performed on the patient in the OR?
proctoscopy
During which of the following phases of infection do pathogens actively replicate, but
the host shows no symptoms?
incubation
Which of the following conditions should be treated FIRST?
obstructed airway
During a partial nephrectomy, the surgeon asks for a large chromic suture and Gelfoam. The surgeon would like the Gelfoam to be cut into pledget squares and loaded onto the suture. The MAIN purpose for the use of the Gelfoam and suture is to
topically stop bleeding
Which of the following is a tonsillolith?
a stone within the tonsil
Which of the following should be the MINIMUM exposure time in an immediate use sterilizer for unwrapped instruments?
3 minutes
Which of the following hormones regulates urine concentration based on reabsorption?
ADH
Anti diuretic hormone (ADH) is responsible for the dilution of urine. ADH may be
secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and may be released if fluid levels shift as little as 1% due to dehydration or blood loss.
A surgeon has just completed an incisional biopsy and would like to have an immediate
diagnosis. The MOST appropriate NEXT step is to send the specimen to pathology in a
dry specimen container so that a frozen section can be completed.
In the break room, a precepting surgical technologist is overheard discussing a
student’s lack of instrument knowledge. The precepting surgical technologist just
committed
slander
Which of the following must be done before sterilizing an instrument with a lumen?
Inject a small amount of distilled water into the lumen.
Which of the following should occur after a Veress needle is inserted?
Connect the insufflation tubing.
Prions are unique from other infectious agents because they lack which of the following?
DNA
Prions are non-living protein strands which lack DNA and RNA.
In metastatic cancer, which of the following systems allows for tumors to extend
beyond the regional area?
lymphatic
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is gathering supplies to initiate a Bier block for the surgical patient. Which of the following items does the surgical technologist give to
the ACP to assist in displacing the blood?
Esmarch bandage
For which of the following procedures is Gelfoam MOST commonly used?
myringotomy
Which of the following is the receiving nerve end of all transmission?
dendrite
A surgical “time out” must be performed prior to
making the initial incision.
The opening in the occipital bone which the spinal cord passes through is the foramen
magnum.
When preparing cannulated instruments for steam sterilization, the instrument lumen should be
dry for dynamic air removal and wet for gravity displacement.
When steam comes into an autoclave from an outside source, the steam is heated in the
jacket
The jacket heats the steam, then it is forced into the chamber.
Which of the following structures form major parts of the brain?
brain stem, cerebellum, diencephalon, cerebrum
Which of the following wound classes is assigned to a surgery in which the bowel was accidently perforated during the procedure?
III
Class III indicates that gross spillage from the gastrointestinal tract occurred during the procedure.
A Javid shunt is used for which of the following procedures?
carotid endarterectomy
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, which of the following types of staplers should the surgical technologist have ready on the back table for removing the appendix and
ensuring no spillage of bowel content?
linear
During a transurethral resection of the prostate, bleeding is controlled by
cauterization.
During the intraoperative phase, which of the following activities can be completed by both sterile and non-sterile members of the surgical team?
handling of the specimen
When using an ultrasonic cleaner, which of the following should be done FIRST?
Visible debris and biologic matter should be removed.
Which of the following important considerations should be taken by the surgical technologist when it comes to the suture material for third intention closure?
A low-capillary action suture will not retain moisture.
Which of the following is the name of the biological indicator used for hydrogen
peroxide gas plasma?
Bacillus atrophaeus
Which of the following is MOST likely to be used when applying a sterile dressing to a skin graft recipient site?
bolster
A pressure dressing or bolster is most often used over a skin graft. Slight pressure on the graft site prevents serous fluid from lifting the skin graft away from the
recipient site.
Which of the following surgical instruments will a surgeon use in dissection of a breast tumor?
Metzenbaum scissors
A surgical incision that is sutured together so that the wound edges are in direct
contact with one another is referred to as which of the following types of closure?
primary intention
The anterior chamber of the eye is located between the cornea and the
iris
After completion of a procedure, the nurse notices that the arms were extended beyond 90 degrees. This may have caused injury to the
brachial plexus.
Which of the following types of connective tissue fastens muscle to bone?
tendon
What does the acronym TM stand for in otorhinolaryngology surgery?
tympanic membrane
A surgeon requests a patient to be placed into the lithotomy position for the surgical procedure. Which of the following positioning devices must be obtained?
leg stirrups
When using a laparoscopic set-up, potential hazards associated with the equipment include
fiberoptic beam fire.
When performing a parotidectomy, which of the following nerves is identified and preserved with the use of a nerve stimulator?
facial
A patient is undergoing a laser vocal cord nodule ablation. During the procedure, the
anesthetist calls for all action to cease due to an airway fire that has suddenly occurred. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the fire?
The laser-specific endotracheal tube was not used.
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon determines that the procedure will convert to an open case. Which of the following incisions is preferred for access?
subcostal
Which of the following is a heavy, curved, tapered needle?
Mayo
During a procedure, a major piece of equipment malfunctions and causes a patient’s death. Which of the following is this situation MOST likely to be classified as?
sentinel event
Which of the following items should be disposed of in an appropriate sharps container?
drill pin
Which of the following is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection?
Allen
The Allen clamp is an intestinal clamp.
During a Nissen fundoplication, after the pneumoperitoneum is established and trocars
are placed, which of the following is the NEXT step?
The stomach is mobilized and divided from the omentum.
Which of the following should be included on an orthopedic set-up?
Key elevator
A Key elevator is used to separate the periosteum from the bone.
A surgeon is performing a procedure to repair damage from a gunshot wound to the chest. Which of the following types of drains should the surgical technologist have
available at the end of the procedure?
underwater
A thyroidectomy that was done earlier in the day is being brought back for excessive bleeding from the incision. Which of the following items are needed for this case?
laps, silk ties, and hemoclips
A plastic surgeon performs surgery PRIMARILY on which of the following anatomical systems?
integumentary
An effective packaging material used for steam sterilization of a Balfour retractor
permits penetration by the sterilant.
Which of the following wounds is MOST likely in the inflammatory phase of wound healing?
an abdominal incision, 20 minutes post-closure
Preparing instrument sets and packages for sterilization requires a label indicating the
sterilization date, sterilizer ID, load number, and preparer’s initials.
A surgeon repeatedly asks the surgical technologist to refill the 10 cc syringe with local anesthetic. If the surgical technologist refilled the syringe three times and there was 5 cc left in the syringe, how much anesthetic was used?
35
At the conclusion of a surgical case, how should the surgical technologist aid in reducing bioburden on instruments as the FIRST step in the sterilization cycle?
hand cleaning
To maintain ergonomic positioning while completing continuing education credits at a computer, the surgical technologist should
maintain wrists and hands in line with forearms.
Which of the following instruments may be used to extend the arteriotomy during carotid endarterectomy?
Potts
Which of the following test monitors indicate if there is any residual air in the
sterilization chamber?
Bowie-Dick test
While removing the drapes, the surgical technologist recognizes some bleeding
through the dressing. Which of the following should be the surgical technologist’s
FIRST step?
Apply pressure and notify the surgeon.
Which of the following instruments is used to grasp the base of the hemorrhoid during
a hemorrhoidectomy?
Allis
The surgical incision that allows for the BEST visualization for a Billroth I procedure is
midline
During an open repair of an indirect hernia, which of the following drains should a
surgical technologist have available to pass the surgeon once the spermatic cord has been dissected?
Penrose
During ophthalmic procedures, the surgeon will use which of the following paralytic agents to dilate the pupil?
cycloplegics
Which of the following is a benign fluid-filled sac that develops in the anterior testis?
hydrocele
