Surgical Technology Certification Exam Study Guide Questions and Answers 2024

The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the preference card be opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The surgical technologist should recognize that: a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the unit clerk b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for adding hernia mesh to the preference card c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture are case dependent. d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the procedure and should be added to the preference card - Answer: D Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team when working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement? a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively with latex b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact lenses and cause corneal burns c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl methacrylate and latex have the same chemical properties d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can negatively interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. - Answer: B Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum sterilizer before using it? a. Gravity b. Biological indicator c. Bowie-Dick d. Chemical indicator - Answer: C What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped instruments? a. 1 minute b. 3 minutes c. 5 minutes d. 7 minutes - Answer: B [pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer operation? a. 132*C (270*F) b. 126*C (260*F) c. 135*C (275*F) d. 129*C (265*F) - Answer: A Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been eliminated? a. 270*F for 4 minutes b. 350*F for 4 minutes c. 240*F for 10 minutes d. 350*F for 10 mintues - Answer: A [pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following chemical solutions? a. hydrogen peroxide b. gluteraldehyde c. alcohol d. peracetic acid - Answer: A [Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes? a. chlorine bleach compounds b. gluteraldehyde c. hydrogen peroxide d. iodine and iodophors - Answer: B During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following tests should be given to inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to ensure that it can be properly sterilized? a. leak test b. electrical component test c. bacteria swab test d. fiber optic light test - Answer: A Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization? a. gas b. steam c. steris d. dry heat - Answer: B Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum sterilization? a. 212*F b. 170*F c. 300*F d. 270*F - Answer: D