Patient Care & Safety 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 Patient Care & Safety flashcards as text
Which action should the surgical technologist take when a patient states they are allergic to latex just before entering the OR?
Answer: Notify the surgical team immediately and prepare a latex-free environment
A latex allergy requires immediate notification of the team and conversion to a fully latex-free environment to prevent anaphylaxis.
When positioning a patient in the lithotomy position, what complication is the surgical technologist most vigilant about preventing?
Answer: Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities
Lithotomy position places legs in stirrups, increasing risk of compartment syndrome due to compromised perfusion and elevated limb pressure.
What is the correct order of steps for performing a surgical hand scrub using the anatomical scrub method?
Answer: Nails, fingers, hand, forearm working distal to proximal
The anatomical timed scrub proceeds distal to proximal: nails first, then each finger, hand, and forearm, to avoid recontaminating cleaner areas.
A patient's informed consent form is missing a signature. What is the surgical technologist's most appropriate action?
Answer: Notify the surgeon and circulating nurse before proceeding
The surgical technologist should notify the surgeon and circulating nurse; the surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent before surgery proceeds.
During a procedure, the surgical technologist notices the patient's tourniquet has been inflated for 115 minutes. What is the priority action?
Answer: Alert the surgeon to the extended inflation time
Prolonged tourniquet inflation risks ischemia and nerve damage; the surgeon must be alerted so a decision to deflate or proceed can be made.
Which solution is used to confirm a patient's identity and correct surgical site before incision under the Universal Protocol?
Answer: Surgical safety checklist Time-Out
The Time-Out, part of the Universal Protocol, is the final verification step performed immediately before incision to confirm patient identity, site, and procedure.
What is the purpose of applying a grounding pad (dispersive electrode) to the patient during electrosurgery?
Answer: To provide a safe return path for electrical current back to the generator
The dispersive electrode provides a large-surface return path for electrosurgical current, dispersing energy safely to prevent burns.