Preoperative Preparation 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 Preoperative Preparation flashcards as text
Which of the following is the primary purpose of applying a tourniquet during extremity surgery?
Answer: Provide a bloodless operative field
A tourniquet inflated proximal to the surgical site occludes arterial and venous blood flow, creating a bloodless field that improves visibility.
When setting up a sterile back table, which action maintains sterility?
Answer: Opening sterile packages by flipping them onto the field from outside the sterile zone
Sterile items should be flipped or dropped onto the sterile field by an unsterile person without the wrapper crossing the sterile boundary.
Which preoperative assessment finding would most concern the surgical team regarding anesthesia induction?
Answer: Hemoglobin A1c of 11.2%
Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >9%) increases infection risk and impairs wound healing; it may also affect anesthesia management and surgical timing.
The surgeon requests a Foley catheter be placed preoperatively. Which gauge catheter is standard for most adult patients?
Answer: 14–16 Fr
14–16 French catheters are the standard size for adult urinary drainage; larger sizes are used for specific clinical indications such as hematuria.
Which of the following is the MOST important reason to perform a pre-incision Time Out?
Answer: To confirm correct patient, site, side, procedure, and position before incision
The Time Out (per Joint Commission Universal Protocol) pauses all activity to verify the five rights: patient, procedure, site, side, and position.
Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are applied preoperatively primarily to prevent which complication?
Answer: Deep vein thrombosis
SCDs intermittently compress the lower extremities to promote venous return, reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during prolonged surgery.
A patient arrives to the holding area wearing a hearing aid. What should the surgical technologist do?
Answer: Leave it in place until general anesthesia is induced so the patient can communicate
Leaving the hearing aid in place during the preoperative period allows the patient to hear instructions and reduces anxiety; it is removed at the appropriate time before anesthesia.