Postoperative Duties Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the scrub ST's responsibility regarding retained surgical item (RSI) prevention?

Answer: Performing and confirming counts at all required intervals and reporting any discrepancy

The scrub ST is equally responsible with the circulator for conducting accurate counts at all required intervals as a primary defense against retained surgical items.

After a case involving an infectious patient under contact precautions, the scrub ST should:

Answer: Follow the facility's enhanced PPE removal protocol and decontaminate all reusable items per infection control policy

Enhanced PPE doffing and infection-control-compliant instrument processing are required for cases involving contact precaution patients to prevent cross-contamination.

A radioactive seed implant is used during a procedure. Postoperatively, the scrub ST must:

Answer: Follow radiation safety protocols and ensure proper accounting of all seeds per facility policy

Radioactive seeds require strict accounting, handling with appropriate shielding, and disposal per radiation safety regulations and facility policy.

The surgeon requests an additional lap sponge during closure after the sponge count has been completed. The scrub ST should:

Answer: Add the sponge to the count with the circulator before passing it to the surgeon

Any item added to the sterile field after a count must be counted in with the circulator before use to maintain count accuracy.

Which postoperative action helps prevent surgical site infections (SSI) related to the scrub ST's role?

Answer: Maintaining sterile technique throughout closure and applying a sterile dressing

Maintaining strict sterile technique through wound closure and sterile dressing application is the scrub ST's primary contribution to SSI prevention.

When the postoperative case is complete and the room is being cleaned, biohazardous waste such as blood-soaked sponges should be disposed in:

Answer: Red biohazard bags designated for regulated medical waste

Blood-soaked sponges are regulated medical waste and must be disposed of in red biohazard bags per OSHA and EPA requirements.

After a case, the scrub ST notices a surgical instrument is cracked. The correct action is to:

Answer: Remove it from service, tag it as damaged, and follow facility protocol for repair or replacement

Damaged instruments must be removed from service immediately, tagged, and reported per facility policy to prevent patient injury and ensure instrument integrity.