Practice Test Geeks(CST) Certified Surgery Technician Practice Test
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Surgical Asepsis & Sterilization 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 Surgical Asepsis & Sterilization flashcards as text

  1. When opening a peel pouch onto the sterile field, the correct technique is to:

    Answer: Peel the pouch back and present the contents to the scrub technologist without contaminating the inner surface

    The circulator peels the pouch back from both sides, keeping hands on the outside while presenting the sterile inner portion to the scrub.

  2. Which factor most directly affects the penetration of steam during autoclave sterilization?

    Answer: Complete removal of air from the chamber

    Air is a poor conductor of heat and blocks steam penetration; its complete removal is essential for effective steam sterilization.

  3. A gown is considered sterile on which surfaces after the scrub has donned it?

    Answer: Front from chest to table level and sleeves to 2 inches above the elbow

    The sterile zone of a surgical gown is the front from chest to table level and the sleeves from 2 inches above the elbow to the cuff.

  4. During a procedure, the surgical technologist accidentally touches the non-sterile IV pole with a sterile-gloved hand. The correct response is to:

    Answer: Immediately change gloves before continuing

    Any contact between a sterile glove and a non-sterile surface results in contamination, requiring immediate glove change.

  5. Which of the following sterilization methods leaves the longest aeration time requirement before items can be safely used?

    Answer: Ethylene oxide gas

    EtO-sterilized items require aeration (typically 8–12 hours or more) to off-gas toxic residues before safe patient contact.

  6. What is the purpose of using a chemical indicator (CI) Class 5 integrating indicator?

    Answer: To react to all critical parameters over the full cycle, similar to a biological indicator

    Class 5 integrating indicators respond to all critical sterilization parameters (time, temperature, steam) across the entire cycle, providing strong correlation to BI results.

  7. When should a biological indicator test be run on a steam sterilizer?

    Answer: After every load containing implants and at least weekly for routine loads

    AORN and AAMI guidelines require BI testing at least weekly and with every load containing implantable devices.