Wound Closure & Healing 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 Wound Closure & Healing flashcards as text
Which hemostatic technique uses high-frequency electrical current to coagulate bleeding vessels?
Answer: Electrosurgery (electrocautery)
Electrosurgery uses high-frequency alternating current to generate heat that coagulates proteins in bleeding vessels, achieving hemostasis.
A surgeon places a horizontal mattress suture. What is the PRIMARY advantage of this technique?
Answer: It everts wound edges and provides greater tensile strength
Horizontal mattress sutures evert wound edges and distribute tension over a wider area, providing superior strength in high-tension wounds.
Which absorbable suture material retains tensile strength the LONGEST before absorption?
Answer: Polydioxanone (PDS)
PDS (polydioxanone) is a monofilament synthetic absorbable suture that retains significant tensile strength for approximately 6 weeks and is fully absorbed by 6 months.
When a wound closure using staples is performed, the scrub technologist should ensure the stapler is loaded and:
Answer: Handed to the surgeon with the safety engaged until ready to fire
Skin staplers should be handed to the surgeon with the safety mechanism engaged to prevent accidental firing and unintended tissue injury.
What is the primary function of fibrin during the hemostasis phase of wound healing?
Answer: Forming a mesh that traps platelets and red blood cells to create a clot
Fibrin polymerizes into a mesh network that stabilizes the platelet plug and forms the structural framework of the blood clot.
A surgeon requests a running locking suture for bowel anastomosis. The term 'locking' means:
Answer: Each stitch loops through the previous loop before continuing, preventing the suture from pulling through
A locking (blanket) stitch passes through the loop created by the previous throw, creating a self-locking mechanism that prevents suture slippage.
Which factor MOST directly inhibits wound healing in a patient taking long-term corticosteroids?
Answer: Suppression of inflammation and fibroblast activity
Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory response and inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, both of which are essential for wound healing.