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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

NBSTSA CST Exam Questions

Page 9 of 25

161.

During a spinal surgery using computer navigation, the surgeon notices a discrepancy between the navigation display and the actual surgical field. What should the surgical technologist do FIRST?

  • Check for any obstructions between the navigation sensors and the surgical field

  • Adjust the lighting in the operating room

  • Recalibrate the navigation system using the patient's current position

  • Switch to manual surgical techniques immediately

Correct answer: Check for any obstructions between the navigation sensors and the surgical field

Obstructions can interfere with sensor accuracy, so removing them is the first and simplest step to address discrepancies.

Lighting may affect visibility but not the accuracy of the computer navigation system directly. 

Recalibration might be necessary, but the first step is to check for simpler issues like sensor obstruction. 

Switching to manual techniques is a last resort if the navigation system cannot be corrected.

162.

You are assisting in preparing a patient for an open heart surgery. As part of the preoperative preparation, which of the following monitoring devices is MOST critical to apply for continuously assessing the patient’s cardiac rhythm?

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  • Intra-arterial blood pressure monitor

  • Central venous pressure (CVP) monitor

  • Temperature probe

Correct answer: Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ElectroCardioGram (ECG) is crucial for continuously monitoring the patient's cardiac rhythm, especially during open heart surgery, to detect any arrhythmias or ischemic changes immediately.

While an intra-arterial blood pressure monitor provides accurate blood pressure readings, it does not assess cardiac rhythm, which is essential for monitoring during cardiac surgery. 

A Central Venous Pressure (CVP) monitor is used to assess venous blood pressure and right ventricular function but is not specifically used for monitoring cardiac rhythm. 

A temperature probe is important for monitoring the patient's core temperature but does not provide information on cardiac rhythm.

163.

When preparing instruments for immediate-use steam sterilization, which of the following steps is unnecessary?

  • Applying a biological indicator to each instrument

  • Removing all bioburden through thorough cleaning

  • Drying the instruments completely before sterilization

  • Ensuring instruments are fully opened or disassembled

Correct answer: Applying a biological indicator to each instrument

Applying a biological indicator to each instrument is unnecessary and impractical for immediate-use steam sterilization, where the focus is on rapid processing.

Removing all bioburden through thorough cleaning is essential to ensure the effectiveness of the sterilization process. 

Drying the instruments completely before sterilization is important to prevent dilution of the sterilant and to ensure effective steam penetration. 

Ensuring instruments are fully opened or disassembled allows steam to reach all surfaces, which is critical for effective sterilization.

164.

When preparing a chest drain system before insertion during a thoracic surgery, what is the KEY step to ensure the system functions properly?

  • Filling the water seal chamber to the prescribed level

  • Cooling the tubing in ice before connection

  • Applying antiseptic solution to the tubing

  • Ensure the water in the water seal chamber is bubbling

Correct answer: Filling the water seal chamber to the prescribed level

Filling the water seal chamber to the prescribed level is essential because it prevents air from re-entering the patient's pleural space, ensuring the one-way flow of air and fluid out of the chest.

Cooling the tubing in ice before connection is not a standard practice for chest drain system preparation and does not ensure the system functions properly. 

Applying antiseptic solution to the tubing is not related to the functionality of the chest drain system itself but rather a general infection control practice. 

Ensuring the water in the water seal chamber is bubbling before insertion is not a key step; bubbling occurs when air is being evacuated from the pleural space, not before the system is connected to the patient.

165.

A patient undergoing a thyroidectomy begins to show signs of malignant hyperthermia. Which medication should be administered immediately?

  • Dantrolene

  • Midazolam

  • Epinephrine

  • Propofol

Correct answer: Dantrolene

Dantrolene is the treatment of choice for malignant hyperthermia due to its action on the ryanodine receptors to decrease intracellular calcium levels in muscle cells, effectively reducing muscle rigidity and metabolic rate.

Midazolam is a sedative and does not counteract the effects of malignant hyperthermia or address the underlying pathophysiology. Epinephrine is used for cardiac arrest and anaphylactic shock, not for treating malignant hyperthermia. It could even exacerbate symptoms by increasing metabolism. Propofol is an anesthetic and does not treat malignant hyperthermia.

166.

When performing a closed-gloving technique, what is the MOST important reason for ensuring that the hands do not protrude from the sleeves before donning the gloves?

  • To maintain the sterility of the gown sleeves

  • To prevent exposure of the hands to circulating air

  • To ensure the gloves fit more comfortably

  • To avoid damaging the gloves

Correct answer: To maintain the sterility of the gown sleeves

The closed-gloving technique is designed to maintain the sterility of the gown sleeves until the gloves are donned, which is critical for preventing surgical site infections.

Preventing exposure of the hands to circulating air is not the primary reason for ensuring that the hands do not protrude from the sleeves before donning the gloves. 

Comfort is important but not the primary concern in the context of sterility during the gloving process. Additionally, using this technique does not improve glove fit.

Avoiding damage to the gloves is important but is not achieved by using this technique.

167.

What environmental factor in the operating room is critical to minimize to prevent surgical site infections?

  • Airborne microbial count

  • Number of personnel

  • Room temperature

  • Humidity levels

Correct answer: Airborne microbial count

Reducing the airborne microbial count in the operating room is crucial for minimizing the risk of surgical site infections, as these microbes can directly contaminate the surgical field.

While minimizing the number of personnel can reduce potential contamination, it is less directly impactful than controlling microbial counts in the air. 

Room temperature, while important for comfort and preventing hypothermia, does not directly impact microbial presence or infection rates like microbial counts. 

Humidity levels need to be controlled to prevent condensation and microbial growth, but airborne microbial count is more directly linked to immediate surgical site infection risks.

168.

When updating a surgeon’s preference card in the hospital's computer system after a procedure, what is the most important factor to ensure the changes are accurately reflected for future use?

  • Ensure all changes are saved and the updated version is set as the default

  • Immediately print out the updated preference card for review

  • Email a copy of the updated preference card to all department staff

  • Post a hard copy of the updated preference card on the operating room bulletin board

Correct answer: Ensure all changes are saved and the updated version is set as the default

Ensuring changes are saved and set as the default guarantees that the updates are utilized for future procedures and implements these changes as quickly as possible, maintaining efficiency and accuracy.

Immediately printing out the updated preference card for review is helpful but does not ensure that the electronic version used for future surgeries is updated. 

Emailing a copy to all department staff does not guarantee that the changes will be applied in the hospital's computer system for future procedures. 

Posting a hard copy on the bulletin board is informative but does not ensure that the digital preference card used for actual surgeries is updated.

169.

If a patient's estimated blood loss (EBL) during a procedure is 800 mL, what is the MOST appropriate initial action?

  • Monitoring vital signs for signs of hemodynamic instability

  • Immediate transfusion of packed red blood cells

  • Administering a diuretic to prevent fluid overload

  • Increasing the rate of IV fluids to match the EBL

Correct answer: Monitoring vital signs for signs of hemodynamic instability

Monitoring vital signs is crucial to assess the patient’s tolerance of the blood loss and determine the need for further intervention.

Transfusion is based on clinical signs of anemia or hemodynamic instability, not solely on Estimated Blood Loss (EBL). Diuretics are not indicated in the setting of acute blood loss and could exacerbate hypovolemia. While IV fluids may be adjusted, it's not simply a matter of matching the EBL rate but based on the patient's response and vital signs.

170.

When restocking supplies for the next surgical procedure, which of the following is MOST important to check?

  • The expiration date of sterile packages

  • The method of sterilization use

  • The date the supplies were initially sterilized

  • The quantity of items remaining

Correct answer: The expiration date of sterile packages

Ensuring that sterile packages have not expired is crucial for maintaining the sterility and safety of surgical supplies, as using expired materials can compromise patient safety and increase the risk of infection.

The method of sterilization is not as immediately critical as verifying that the supplies are still within their safe usage period before a procedure. 

The date the supplies were initially sterilized is not as important as the expiration date that directly indicates whether the supplies are safe and effective to use. 

The quantity of items remaining does not directly impact the safety or sterility of the supplies being used for a surgical procedure.

171.

During a common procedure to treat glaucoma, which structure is MOST likely to be targeted to facilitate the outflow of aqueous humor and reduce intraocular pressure?

  • Trabecular meshwork

  • Choroid

  • Ciliary body

  • Optic nerve

Correct answer: Trabecular meshwork

The trabecular meshwork is a sponge-like tissue located around the base of the cornea, responsible for draining aqueous humor from the eye to control intraocular pressure. It is targeted in glaucoma treatments to enhance the outflow of aqueous humor, thus reducing intraocular pressure.

The choroid provides blood supply to the eye but is not targeted to facilitate aqueous humor outflow in glaucoma. The ciliary body produces aqueous humor but altering it is not the primary approach in most glaucoma surgeries. The optic nerve is protected in glaucoma treatment, not surgically altered.

172.

During an emergency, a surgeon requests an instrument that has not been sterilized. What is the QUICKEST method to sterilize this instrument while ensuring patient safety?

  • Immediate-use steam sterilization

  • Immersion in glutaraldehyde

  • Wiping with alcohol

  • Ultraviolet light exposure

Correct answer: Immediate-use steam sterilization

Immediate-use steam sterilization is the quickest method for sterilizing instruments while ensuring patient safety, as it can rapidly sterilize instruments using pressurized steam.

Immersion in glutaraldehyde is a chemical sterilization method that requires several hours for effective sterilization, making it unsuitable for immediate use. 

Wiping with alcohol can disinfect surfaces but does not achieve sterilization, which is necessary to eliminate all forms of microbial life. 

Ultraviolet light exposure can reduce microbial load on surfaces but does not provide the level of sterilization required for surgical instruments.

173.

After a cholecystectomy, the surgeon requests the placement of a Jackson-Pratt drain. When connecting this drain to the suction apparatus, what is the MOST important consideration to ensure proper function?

  • Ensuring the drain is not kinked or compressed before activating the suction

  • Setting the suction to the highest possible level to ensure rapid drainage

  • Filling the suction reservoir with sterile saline before activation

  • Placing the suction apparatus at the same level as the surgical site

Correct answer: Ensuring the drain is not kinked or compressed before activating the suction

A kinked or compressed drain can obstruct fluid flow, preventing the drain from functioning as intended. This obstruction could lead to inadequate drainage of the surgical site, potentially causing fluid accumulation and increasing the risk of infection.

A Jackson-Pratt drain creates suction internally and mechanically by creating an internal vacuum in the drain reservoir; the pressure of suction cannot be precisely controlled. 

Filling the suction reservoir with sterile saline is not standard practice for connecting drains to suction and could dilute the collected fluid. 

The placement of the suction apparatus relative to the surgical site does not impact the function of a Jackson-Pratt drain, as it uses negative pressure for drainage.

174.

What is the FIRST step a surgical technologist should take upon receiving a medication to be administered intraoperatively?

  • Verify the medication with the circulating nurse

  • Mix the medication as per the surgeon's instructions

  • Label the medication with the patient's name

  • Administer the medication to the patient

Correct answer: Verify the medication with the circulating nurse

Verification of the medication with the circulating nurse ensures the right medication is received for the patient, aligning with safety protocols to prevent errors.

Mixing the medication before verification could lead to medication errors if the wrong substance is handled. Labeling the medication with the patient's name is important but follows verification to ensure accuracy. Administering the medication to the patient without prior verification and preparation steps breaches safety protocols and increases the risk of errors.

175.

A surgical technologist is tasked with gathering the latest evidence-based practices on wound care for a departmental presentation. Which of the following resources should they prioritize for the most accurate and up-to-date information?

  • An academic database that includes recent medical research studies

  • A widely used online encyclopedia that uses crowdsourced editing

  • Testimonials from patients on a health forum

  • Posts on a social media group dedicated to surgical technologists

Correct answer: An academic database that includes recent medical research studies

Academic databases are specifically designed to aggregate a wide range of scholarly articles, research papers, and clinical study reports. These resources are typically peer-reviewed, meaning that before publication, the content is critically evaluated by other experts in the field. This process ensures that the information presented is not only current but also scientifically valid and reliable, making them ideal to prioritize for current and reliable information.

Online encyclopedias can offer general knowledge but lack the specificity and credibility of current research studies for clinical application. 

Patient testimonials provide personal experiences but lack the comprehensive and evidence-based perspective necessary for clinical practice. 

Social media groups can offer community support and shared experiences but do not provide the authoritative information required for a professional presentation on wound care.

176.

A surgeon asks for a specific instrument that is not on the sterile field. What should the surgical technologist do FIRST?

  • Ask the circulating nurse to obtain the instrument

  • Inform the surgeon that the instrument is not available and that it will be necessary to continue the procedure without it

  • Leave the sterile field to retrieve the instrument

  • Use a similar instrument that is already on the sterile field

Correct answer: Ask the circulating nurse to obtain the instrument

The surgical technologist should communicate with the circulating nurse, who is responsible for retrieving items outside the sterile field, ensuring the procedure continues efficiently without compromising sterility.

Simply informing the surgeon without attempting to obtain the instrument does not adequately support the surgical process. 

Leaving the sterile field would compromise sterility and is not the role of the surgical technologist. 

Using a similar instrument without surgeon approval could compromise the procedure and patient safety.

177.

During which part of a surgical procedure are counts NOT typically performed?

  • During the application of surgical dressings

  • Before the surgery begins

  • After the surgery is completed

  • When the surgical team changes shifts

Correct answer: During the application of surgical dressings

Counts are typically not performed during the application of surgical dressings, as all counts should be completed prior to this stage to ensure no items are retained before wound closure.

Counts are performed before the surgery begins to establish a baseline. Final counts are performed after the surgery is completed to ensure nothing has been left inside the patient. When the surgical team changes shifts, counts may be performed to ensure continuity and account for all items.

178.

For a surgical power tool to be considered safe for use, it must meet which of the following conditions?

  • Be tested for speed and torque under load before surgery

  • Operate quietly without any unusual noises

  • Have a fully charged battery at the start of every procedure

  • Have been sterilized within the last 24 hours

Correct answer: Be tested for speed and torque under load before surgery

Testing surgical power tools for speed and torque under load before surgery ensures they are functioning at the necessary performance levels for safe and effective use during procedures.

Ensuring the tool is operating quietly without any unusual noises is a good practice but does not alone guarantee the tool's safety or functionality. 

Having a fully charged battery at the start of every procedure is important for ensuring the tool operates throughout the surgery, but it does not verify the tool's operational safety. 

Being sterilized does not ensure the tool's functional safety or performance.

179.

Which information is essential to include when labeling a mixed medication in the operating room?

  • Medication name and concentration

  • Surgeon's name and the type of surgery being performed

  • Patient's medical allergies and the medication expiration date

  • Time the medication was ordered and medication volume

Correct answer: Medication name and concentration

The medication name and concentration are critical to ensure patient safety, as they provide clear identification and prevent dosing errors during the surgical procedure.

The surgeon's name and type of surgery being performed, while important for other aspects of patient care, are not essential for labeling mixed medications. The focus should be on medication-specific information to prevent errors.

While the medication expiration date is important, allergies should be noted in the patient's medical record and reviewed before medication preparation; they do not need to be included when labeling the medication. 

Time the medication was ordered and medication volume are less critical for immediate identification and use of the medication in the operating room. The essential elements are the medication name and concentration to ensure correct administration.

180.

When is it acceptable to remove a needle from a syringe before disposal?

  • It is never acceptable to remove the needle

  • When the syringe contains medication residue

  • When the needle is specifically designed to be sterilized and reused

  • When a safe needle disposal system is not available

Correct answer: It is never acceptable to remove the needle

Removing a needle from a syringe before disposal increases the risk of needle-stick injuries, which can transmit infections. Needles should always remain attached to syringes for disposal in appropriate sharps containers.

Even if a syringe contains medication residue, the needle should not be removed before disposal to prevent needle-stick injuries and ensure safe handling of potentially hazardous materials. 

Needles attached to a syringe are typically never designed to be sterilized and reused. 

The absence of a safe needle disposal system does not justify removing the needle from the syringe; instead, it underscores the need to implement proper disposal measures to manage sharps safely.

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