Mixed Deck — All CST Topics Flashcards

Which statement best describes the surgical technologist's ethical obligation regarding a patient who is under general anesthesia?

Answer: The scrub tech has a heightened advocacy duty because the patient is unable to speak for themselves

Because an anesthetized patient cannot self-advocate, every team member—including the scrub tech—has an increased ethical responsibility to act in the patient's best interest.

When assembling a tray for a procedure requiring magnification, the scrub technician should include which type of instruments?

Answer: Micro-instruments with smooth, fine-tipped jaws

Microsurgery requires delicate micro-instruments with fine tips capable of handling tiny structures without crushing or tearing.

A keloid scar differs from a hypertrophic scar in that a keloid:

Answer: Extends beyond the original wound borders into surrounding tissue

Keloids are abnormal scar formations that extend beyond the original wound margins into adjacent normal tissue, unlike hypertrophic scars which stay within wound boundaries.

Proper instrument passing technique during surgery is important for efficiency because:

Answer: Anticipating the surgeon's needs and passing instruments decisively reduces hesitation and operative time

Confident, anticipatory instrument passing keeps the operative tempo high and minimizes the surgeon's distraction between maneuvers.

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.

The term 'block scheduling' in OR management refers to:

Answer: Reserving OR time in defined blocks for specific surgeons or service lines to improve predictability

Block scheduling allocates reserved OR time to specific surgeons or specialties, improving case volume predictability and resource planning.

The Bookwalter retractor system is best classified as which type of retractor?

Answer: Self-retaining retractor

The Bookwalter is a self-retaining ring retractor system that holds itself in place without manual assistance.

During the surgical time-out, the circulator reads a different operative site than what is marked on the patient. The surgeon says 'we've done this a hundred times, let's go.' What should the surgical technologist do?

Answer: Speak up and insist the discrepancy be resolved before proceeding

Every team member has the authority and responsibility to stop the procedure until a site discrepancy is resolved, regardless of the surgeon's preference.

In the context of surgical asepsis & sterilization, what role does continuous professional development play for CST practitioners?

Answer: It ensures practitioners remain current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuous professional development is essential in surgical asepsis & sterilization because it ensures CST practitioners remain current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices, maintaining competency throughout their careers.

A patient who speaks only Spanish is about to be transferred into the OR. No interpreter is present and the consent form is in English only. What is the appropriate action?

Answer: Delay transport until a qualified interpreter and translated consent are obtained

Informed consent requires that the patient fully understands the procedure in their own language; surgery should be delayed until a qualified medical interpreter and properly translated consent are secured.

Which electrosurgical mode cuts tissue by passing current through a small area to rapidly heat and vaporize cells?

Answer: Cut mode

The cut mode delivers a continuous current that rapidly vaporizes cells through intense localized heat.

Which instrument is used to remove bone wax from bone surfaces during orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures?

Answer: Periosteal elevator

A periosteal elevator strips and lifts periosteum from bone; it is also used to apply and remove bone wax during surgery.

When passing a scalpel to the surgeon, the safest technique for the scrub technician is to:

Answer: Place it in a neutral zone or pass it handle-first with blade pointed down

Using a neutral zone or passing handle-first with the blade pointed away protects both the surgeon and scrub tech from sharps injury.

Which type of surgical drain works by passive gravity drainage and does not use suction?

Answer: Penrose drain

A Penrose drain is a flat, flexible silicone tube that drains by gravity and capillary action without any suction mechanism.

When a case is added emergently to a full OR schedule, which action by the scrub tech BEST supports team efficiency?

Answer: Quickly reviewing the preference card, gathering supplies from the case cart, and communicating readiness to the team

Proactively reviewing the preference card and mobilizing supplies speeds the room's readiness for the emergent add-on while keeping the team informed.

When documenting activities related to or efficiency & case flow, which practice is considered essential for CST certification holders?

Answer: Maintaining comprehensive records that include procedures, observations, results, and any anomalies

Comprehensive documentation that includes procedures, observations, results, and any anomalies is essential in or efficiency & case flow. This supports quality assurance, enables peer review, and satisfies regulatory and audit requirements.

When setting up a sterile field, items should be placed on the sterile drape at what distance from the edge?

Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)

The outer 1-inch (2.5 cm) border of a sterile drape is considered non-sterile; items must be kept at least 1 inch from the edge — some sources cite 2 inches for safety.

A circular stapler (EEA) is used primarily for which type of anastomosis?

Answer: End-to-end bowel anastomosis

The end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) circular stapler creates a circumferential staple line for bowel-to-bowel reconnection.

Which area of the surgical gown is considered NON-sterile even after proper donning?

Answer: Back of the gown and axillary region

The back of the gown and axillary regions cannot be visualized by the wearer and are therefore not considered part of the sterile zone.

What is the primary advantage of absorbable suture over non-absorbable suture?

Answer: Elimination of the need for suture removal in deep tissues

Absorbable sutures are broken down by the body's enzymes or hydrolysis, making them ideal for internal layers where removal would be impossible.