Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique 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 Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique flashcards as text
When a sterile team member's gown becomes wet during a procedure, what is the correct action?
Answer: Consider the gown contaminated and change immediately
Strike-through contamination occurs when moisture penetrates a gown, rendering it non-sterile and requiring immediate gown change.
What is the minimum distance a sterile team member should maintain from an unsterile surface when turning?
Answer: 12 inches
Sterile team members must maintain at least 12 inches (1 foot) from unsterile surfaces when turning to prevent contamination.
Which area of a sterile gown is considered unsterile and must not be touched by a sterile team member?
Answer: Back of the gown
The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile because it cannot be continuously visualized during the procedure.
A scrubbed surgical technologist should pass instruments to the surgeon in which manner?
Answer: Slapped firmly into the surgeon's palm so they can feel it
Instruments are passed with a firm slap into the surgeon's palm so they can feel the instrument without looking away from the operative site.
What is the proper technique for opening a peel-pack onto the sterile field?
Answer: Peel the edges back and present or flip the item onto the field
Peel-pack items are opened by peeling the edges apart and either presenting the item to the scrub or flipping it carefully onto the sterile field.
Which of the following practices violates surgical asepsis during draping?
Answer: Unfolding drapes toward the scrub technologist after placement
Drapes should never be unfolded back toward the sterile field after placement, as this would drag contamination from unsterile areas onto the field.
When pouring sterile solution into a sterile basin on the field, the circulator should hold the bottle:
Answer: At least 6 inches above the basin without reaching over the field
The circulator holds the bottle at least 6 inches above the basin to prevent contamination while avoiding reaching over the sterile field.