CST - NBSTSA App Exams| Questions
with Verified Solution| PASSED
What is the purpose of the sterile field during surgery?
To prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment for the procedure.
How should a surgical technologist handle a contaminated instrument?
The instrument should be removed from the sterile field and cleaned or replaced as
necessary.
What is the first action to take if a surgical fire occurs during an operation?
Alert the surgical team and initiate the fire safety protocols immediately.
What should the surgical technologist do if they notice a break in the sterile technique during
surgery?
Notify the surgical team immediately to correct the issue and maintain the sterile field.
In an emergency, how does the surgical technologist assist in rapid preparation?
By quickly organizing necessary instruments, ensuring they are sterile, and preparing the
field.
What is the role of the surgical technologist when prepping a patient for surgery?
To assist in positioning the patient, draping, and ensuring all areas for incision are sterile.
1
,How should surgical sponges be counted during surgery?
They should be counted before and after the procedure, with the count verified by the entire
surgical team.
What does the surgical technologist do if a surgical instrument is dropped on the floor during a
procedure?
Inform the surgical team immediately and replace it with a sterile instrument.
How is a surgical specimen properly labeled for pathology?
The specimen should be placed in a sterile container, labeled with the patient’s name,
procedure, and source site.
What must be done if the surgical technologist finds that a sterile item is expired or damaged?
The item should be discarded and replaced with a new sterile, unexpired item.
What is the most important step before draping a patient for surgery?
Ensure the surgical site is properly cleansed and marked.
How should the surgical technologist assist with the placement of a wound dressing after
surgery?
By ensuring the dressing is sterile, applied with care, and the site is protected from
contamination.
2
,When is the time-out procedure conducted during surgery?
Immediately before the incision is made to verify patient identity, surgical site, and
procedure.
What is the correct procedure for handling medications during surgery?
Verify the medication with the surgical team, label it, and pass it to the surgeon in a sterile
manner.
What should be done if an item in the sterile field becomes contaminated during a procedure?
The contaminated item should be removed and replaced with a sterile one.
How should a surgical technologist assist in positioning the patient for a laparoscopic procedure?
Ensure the patient is properly positioned for access to the surgical site, and monitor safety
during the procedure.
How should a surgical technologist handle electrical burns from electrosurgical equipment?
Assess the burn, inform the team immediately, and follow appropriate burn care protocols.
What should be done if a patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure during surgery?
Alert the anesthesia provider immediately and assist in stabilizing the patient’s condition.
How does the surgical technologist prepare the operating room for a trauma case?
3
, Ensure all necessary trauma instruments are sterile and organized, and prepare the sterile
field for rapid access.
What is the role of the surgical technologist when assisting with wound closure?
Provide the correct sutures, assist in knot tying, and ensure sterile technique is maintained
throughout.
What is the surgical technologist’s responsibility when the surgical team is using a laser during a
procedure?
Ensure proper laser safety protocols are followed, and protect both the patient and team from
exposure.
How should the surgical technologist handle blood and body fluid spills during surgery?
Immediately clean the area with an appropriate disinfectant while maintaining a sterile field
and proper safety precautions.
What is the importance of monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery?
To ensure the patient’s condition is stable and to detect any changes that may indicate
complications.
What action should be taken if the sterile drapes are inadvertently touched by non-sterile items?
Remove the contaminated drape and replace it with a new sterile one to maintain the sterile
field.
4
with Verified Solution| PASSED
What is the purpose of the sterile field during surgery?
To prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment for the procedure.
How should a surgical technologist handle a contaminated instrument?
The instrument should be removed from the sterile field and cleaned or replaced as
necessary.
What is the first action to take if a surgical fire occurs during an operation?
Alert the surgical team and initiate the fire safety protocols immediately.
What should the surgical technologist do if they notice a break in the sterile technique during
surgery?
Notify the surgical team immediately to correct the issue and maintain the sterile field.
In an emergency, how does the surgical technologist assist in rapid preparation?
By quickly organizing necessary instruments, ensuring they are sterile, and preparing the
field.
What is the role of the surgical technologist when prepping a patient for surgery?
To assist in positioning the patient, draping, and ensuring all areas for incision are sterile.
1
,How should surgical sponges be counted during surgery?
They should be counted before and after the procedure, with the count verified by the entire
surgical team.
What does the surgical technologist do if a surgical instrument is dropped on the floor during a
procedure?
Inform the surgical team immediately and replace it with a sterile instrument.
How is a surgical specimen properly labeled for pathology?
The specimen should be placed in a sterile container, labeled with the patient’s name,
procedure, and source site.
What must be done if the surgical technologist finds that a sterile item is expired or damaged?
The item should be discarded and replaced with a new sterile, unexpired item.
What is the most important step before draping a patient for surgery?
Ensure the surgical site is properly cleansed and marked.
How should the surgical technologist assist with the placement of a wound dressing after
surgery?
By ensuring the dressing is sterile, applied with care, and the site is protected from
contamination.
2
,When is the time-out procedure conducted during surgery?
Immediately before the incision is made to verify patient identity, surgical site, and
procedure.
What is the correct procedure for handling medications during surgery?
Verify the medication with the surgical team, label it, and pass it to the surgeon in a sterile
manner.
What should be done if an item in the sterile field becomes contaminated during a procedure?
The contaminated item should be removed and replaced with a sterile one.
How should a surgical technologist assist in positioning the patient for a laparoscopic procedure?
Ensure the patient is properly positioned for access to the surgical site, and monitor safety
during the procedure.
How should a surgical technologist handle electrical burns from electrosurgical equipment?
Assess the burn, inform the team immediately, and follow appropriate burn care protocols.
What should be done if a patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure during surgery?
Alert the anesthesia provider immediately and assist in stabilizing the patient’s condition.
How does the surgical technologist prepare the operating room for a trauma case?
3
, Ensure all necessary trauma instruments are sterile and organized, and prepare the sterile
field for rapid access.
What is the role of the surgical technologist when assisting with wound closure?
Provide the correct sutures, assist in knot tying, and ensure sterile technique is maintained
throughout.
What is the surgical technologist’s responsibility when the surgical team is using a laser during a
procedure?
Ensure proper laser safety protocols are followed, and protect both the patient and team from
exposure.
How should the surgical technologist handle blood and body fluid spills during surgery?
Immediately clean the area with an appropriate disinfectant while maintaining a sterile field
and proper safety precautions.
What is the importance of monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery?
To ensure the patient’s condition is stable and to detect any changes that may indicate
complications.
What action should be taken if the sterile drapes are inadvertently touched by non-sterile items?
Remove the contaminated drape and replace it with a new sterile one to maintain the sterile
field.
4
