Specialty Surgical 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 Specialty Surgical Procedures flashcards as text
During an open-heart procedure requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, which cannula is inserted first by convention?
Answer: Arterial cannula
The arterial cannula is inserted first to allow immediate volume infusion if the patient loses blood during venous cannulation.
What is the function of cardioplegic solution administered during cardiac surgery?
Answer: Arrest the heart and protect the myocardium during ischemia
Cardioplegic solution (high-potassium, cold crystalloid or blood) depolarizes the myocardium to arrest the heart and reduce metabolic demand during ischemic time.
During an arthroscopic knee surgery, what is the role of the irrigation fluid (usually normal saline or lactated Ringer's)?
Answer: Distend the joint cavity and maintain visualization
Continuous irrigation fluid distends the joint space, removes blood and debris, and maintains a clear arthroscopic view throughout the procedure.
Which procedure involves excising and grafting a segment of autologous bone to repair a non-union fracture?
Answer: Bone grafting (autograft harvest and implantation)
Autologous bone grafting harvests bone (commonly from the iliac crest) and implants it at the non-union site to provide osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive support.
In gynecologic surgery, what does a LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) accomplish?
Answer: Excises abnormal cervical tissue using a wire loop electrode
LEEP uses a thin electrosurgical wire loop to excise a cone of abnormal transformation zone tissue from the cervix for diagnosis and treatment.
During a kidney transplant, the donor ureter is anastomosed to which recipient structure?
Answer: Bladder (ureteroneocystostomy)
The donor ureter is implanted directly into the recipient's bladder via ureteroneocystostomy to restore urinary drainage from the transplanted kidney.
What is the surgical technologist's responsibility when a specimen is removed during an oncologic resection?
Answer: Pass it off the field correctly labeled with patient ID and site, and ensure proper chain of custody to pathology
The surgical technologist must correctly identify, handle, and transfer the specimen with accurate labeling to maintain chain of custody and ensure accurate pathologic diagnosis.