CFA Surgical Positioning & Draping 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which surgical position places the patient supine with the head lower than the feet?
- Fowler's
- Trendelenburg (Correct answer)
- Reverse Trendelenburg
- Lithotomy
Correct answer: Trendelenburg
Trendelenburg position places the patient supine with the head lower than the feet, commonly used to improve surgical access to pelvic organs by allowing gravity to shift viscera cephalad.
Question 2: The axillary roll used during lateral decubitus positioning is placed to prevent injury to which structure?
- Ulnar nerve
- Femoral nerve
- Brachial plexus (Correct answer)
- Radial nerve
Correct answer: Brachial plexus
The axillary roll is positioned under the thorax distal to the axilla to relieve pressure on the brachial plexus of the dependent arm, preventing neuropraxia.
Question 3: Which position provides optimal surgical access to the posterior skull and spine structures?
- Supine
- Lateral decubitus
- Prone (Correct answer)
- Lithotomy
Correct answer: Prone
The prone position allows the surgeon to access posterior structures of the skull and spine, as the patient lies face-down exposing the dorsal surface.
Question 4: When draping the surgical site, sterile gloves must not drop below which boundary to maintain sterility?
- The patient's waist
- The level of the OR table (Correct answer)
- The instrument back table
- The anesthesia screen
Correct answer: The level of the OR table
The OR table surface is considered the lower boundary of the sterile field; gloved hands or instruments that fall below table level are considered contaminated.
Question 5: Which padding device is most effective for protecting heels and preventing pressure injuries during prolonged supine positioning?
- Bean bag positioner
- Gel heel protectors (Correct answer)
- Axillary roll
- Kidney rest
Correct answer: Gel heel protectors
Gel heel protectors conform to the heel's contours and distribute pressure away from bony prominences, reducing pressure injury risk during lengthy procedures.
Question 6: When placing a patient in lithotomy position, what is the correct method for raising and lowering the legs?
- Raise and lower both legs simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Raise one leg at a time to allow team repositioning
- Have the anesthesiologist lift both legs from the head end
- Position legs fully before anesthesia induction
Correct answer: Raise and lower both legs simultaneously
Both legs must be raised and lowered simultaneously in lithotomy position to prevent asymmetric stress on the lumbosacral spine and hip joints that could cause injury.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a fenestrated surgical drape?
- To cover anesthesia equipment during the procedure
- To expose only the surgical site while covering the rest of the patient (Correct answer)
- To provide a sterile surface for instrument placement
- To secure the patient to the OR table
Correct answer: To expose only the surgical site while covering the rest of the patient
A fenestrated drape has a pre-cut opening that exposes only the operative site, maintaining sterile coverage over the entire patient while allowing surgical access.
CFA Surgical Positioning & Draping 1
Which surgical position places the patient supine with the head lower than the feet?