Practice Test Geeks(CST) Certified Surgical Technician Practice Test
← All CST Flashcard Decks

Intraoperative Procedures 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 Intraoperative Procedures flashcards as text

  1. During a thyroidectomy, the surgeon asks for a nerve stimulator. Its PRIMARY intraoperative purpose is to:

    Answer: Identify and preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerve

    A nerve stimulator (probe) delivers a small electrical current to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve, preventing inadvertent injury that causes hoarseness.

  2. Which type of drain uses negative pressure to collect wound drainage postoperatively?

    Answer: Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain

    The Jackson-Pratt drain uses a compressible bulb reservoir that creates gentle continuous negative pressure to evacuate fluid from wound cavities.

  3. The ST should set up the back table with instruments in which order?

    Answer: In the order they will most likely be used during the procedure

    Back table organization by procedural sequence allows efficient instrument passing and reduces search time during critical surgical moments.

  4. A Bookwalter retractor system differs from a Balfour retractor in that the Bookwalter:

    Answer: Attaches to the OR table rail and offers multiple interchangeable blade configurations

    The Bookwalter system mounts to the OR table rail and accommodates a variety of interchangeable blades for complex, long retraction needs.

  5. During use of the harmonic scalpel (ultrasonic energy device), the ST should be aware that it generates heat up to approximately:

    Answer: 80°C

    The harmonic scalpel blade reaches approximately 80°C during activation; the active blade must not contact tissue unintentionally to prevent burns.

  6. When assisting with a surgical hand-off of a specimen to the circulator, the ST must FIRST:

    Answer: Verbally confirm specimen identity, site, and laterality with the surgeon

    Verbal confirmation of specimen identity, surgical site, and laterality with the surgeon prevents mislabeling errors before hand-off to the circulator.

  7. A surgeon performing a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) will require which anastomosis to restore biliary drainage?

    Answer: Choledochojejunostomy (hepaticojejunostomy)

    A choledochojejunostomy (or hepaticojejunostomy) reconnects the bile duct to the jejunum to restore biliary drainage after removal of the duodenum.