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 type of draping material provides the best barrier against strike-through contamination?
Answer: Nonwoven disposable drapes with fluid-resistant layers
Nonwoven disposable drapes with fluid-resistant or impermeable layers resist strike-through, preventing microorganisms from wicking from wet surfaces into the sterile field.
During preoperative patient identification, the surgical technologist should verify the patient's identity using which minimum standard per the Joint Commission?
Answer: At least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth)
The Joint Commission requires at least two independent patient identifiers (commonly full name and date of birth) to prevent wrong-patient errors.
What is the purpose of the 'sign in' phase of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist?
Answer: Verify patient identity, site marking, consent, and anesthesia readiness before induction
The Sign In occurs before anesthesia induction and confirms patient identity, site marking, consent, anesthesia machine checks, and allergy status.
Which patient condition warrants special attention to padding during positioning?
Answer: Elderly patient with osteoporosis and thin skin
Elderly patients with osteoporosis have fragile bones and thin, friable skin, making them highly susceptible to pressure injuries and fractures from inadequate padding.
Which of the following is true regarding preoperative marking of the surgical site?
Answer: The surgeon marks the site before the patient enters the OR using a permanent marker
The operating surgeon marks the intended surgical site with a permanent marker before the patient enters the OR, ideally with the patient awake and participating.
Hypothermia is a common perioperative complication. Which preoperative intervention helps prevent intraoperative hypothermia?
Answer: Pre-warming the patient with a forced-air warming blanket before surgery
Pre-warming raises the patient's core temperature reserve, reducing the likelihood of redistribution hypothermia when anesthesia causes vasodilation.
The circulating nurse reports that the sterilization log shows a flash (immediate-use steam sterilization) cycle was used for an implant due to a dropped instrument. What is the CORRECT response?
Answer: Document the event and inform the surgeon; flash sterilization of implants requires special documentation and justification
AORN guidelines state that flash sterilization of implants should be avoided except in urgent situations and must be fully documented with justification and biological indicator results.