Ethics & Professionalism Flashcards
7 cards from real CST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics & Professionalism flashcards as text
A surgical technologist notices a surgeon consistently skips a required timeout step before incision. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Report the pattern to the charge nurse or supervisor
Reporting recurring safety protocol violations to a supervisor upholds patient safety and professional accountability.
Which ethical principle requires a surgical technologist to act in the patient's best interest even when the patient cannot speak for themselves?
Answer: Beneficence
Beneficence means acting in the best interest of the patient, especially when they are unable to advocate for themselves.
A CST overhears colleagues discussing a patient's surgical case in the hospital cafeteria using the patient's name. This violates which standard?
Answer: HIPAA patient privacy regulations
Discussing identifiable patient information in public areas violates HIPAA privacy regulations.
When a surgical technologist is asked to perform a task outside their training, the correct response is to:
Answer: Decline and explain it exceeds their scope of practice
A CST must refuse tasks outside their scope of practice to protect patient safety and maintain professional standards.
Which organization publishes the Code of Ethics specifically applicable to Certified Surgical Technologists?
Answer: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) publishes the Code of Ethics that guides CST professional conduct.
A surgical technologist is asked by a friend to look up a mutual acquaintance's surgery records out of curiosity. The CST should:
Answer: Refuse, as accessing records without a care need violates patient privacy
Accessing patient records without a legitimate care-related need is a HIPAA violation regardless of the requester's relationship.
Maintaining current certification and continuing education is an example of which professional obligation?
Answer: Competence
Continuing education and maintaining certification demonstrate a commitment to professional competence and safe patient care.