The cartilaginous flap that prevents food from entering the larynx is the

epiglottis

______ are vials or strips, also known as spore tests, that contain harmless bacterial spores and are used to determine whether a sterilizer is working.

Biologic indicators

Dramatized in recent years by the news media, this condition, otherwise known as the "Flesh-Eating" bacteria.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

Equipment with the highest potential for serving as ignition sources in surgical fires include all of the following EXCEPT:

phacoemulsification probes

The paired muscles extending from the sternum to the pubis and whose contraction flattens the abdomen are the

rectus abdominus.

A person in a persistent vegetative state (with only basic physiological functions of respiration, blood pressure, and heartbeat intact) is categorized as having suffered which kind of death?

higher brain

___________ is a high-level disinfectant used in
endoscopy departments to allow for complete immersion, and if kept immersed for ___________ it kills microbes on instrumentation that could not withstand steam sterilization.

Glutaraldehyde / 20 minutes

The portion of the epidermis from which cells are constantly sloughed off is the

stratum corneum

Cerebrospinal fluid is secreted within the ventricles by

choroid plexuses

In large abdominal wounds that require frequent dressing changes, which of the following will minimize the skin break-
down?

Montgomery straps

Best practice states that all of the following items remain sterile until the patient leaves the room, EXCEPT the:

Surgical drapes

Gas exchange in the lungs occurs between blood in capillaries and air in

alveoli

All of the following are components of a three-prong electrical plug EXCEPT:

current convertor

The paired muscle that flexes the head toward the chest is the

sternocleidomastoid

An atrioventricular valve prevents the flow of blood from a/an

ventricle to an atrium

A 75-year-old diabetic female patient is brought to the operating room for incision and drainage (I & D) of an infected
ulcer of the lower right extremity. The surgeon debrides the wound and irrigates with antibiotic solution. The surgeon then states that he does not need to suture the wound but will instead close it in a few days once the infection has cleared. Which of the following describes this method of wound healing?

delayed primary closure

_______ infection is a postoperative infection of the surgical wound.

surgical site

All of the following are sentinel events that would result in the creation of an incident report except:

calling in sick

If bleeding from the liver bed cannot be controlled during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon may utilize a hemostatic agent to prevent the necessity of surgically opening the patient. Which of the following hemostatic agents is available for endoscopic application?

Avitene

To determine the patency of the fallopian tubes on a 25-year- old female patient with pelvic inflammatory disease, the surgeon would inject which of the following medications to assist with the
diagnosis?

methylene blue

Select the response that is not a function of the skeletal system

blood cell destruction

What is the blood supply of the appendix?

Superior mesenteric artery branch

The surgical technologist opened a #10 blade onto the back table. It landed in the one inch border. Is the blade acceptable to use

Yes, because the one inch border does not apply to the back table.

An example of a nonadherent inner layer dressing is:

Xeroform

A patient who has just undergone surgery explains to the nurse that the surgeon has told her that her wound will heal by granulation. In which phase of wound healing does this occur?

secondary intention

All of the following are components of the surgical patient's medical record EXCEPT:

surgeon's preference card

A surgeon requests a patient to be placed into a lithotomy position for the surgical procedure. Which of the following positioning devices must be obtained?

leg stirrups

Steve was just transferred to the operating room table and the safety strap has been placed on his legs. His arms are placed on
arm boards and safety straps are applied to prevent the arms from falling off of the armboards. Steve's arms should not be abducted more than ____ degrees to avoid ________________.90; brachial plexus injury

90; brachial plexus injury

What type of medication is used to prevent postoperative wound infections?

antibiotic

The main rationale for gently prepping the surgical site or completely eliminating prep of the surgical site on a patient who is
having a breast biopsy is to

avoid dispersing cancer cells that may be present.

What agent is used to flush the harvested saphenous vein during a CABG?

Heparinized saline

Chemical indicators are designed to change ____

Color

A suture used to retract a structure to the side of the operative field is a/an:

traction suture

All of the surgical procedures require three surgical counts except one that requires four. Which surgery requires four counts?

Cesarean Section

Which of the following is a vasoconstrictor that is mixed with a local anesthetic agent to provide localized hemostasis?

epinephrine

Bacteria are classified by which of the following shapes?

rod, sphere, spiral

______________________ is the most widespread cause of surgical site infections.

Staphylococcus aureus

What is the minimum steam contact time required for immediate-use sterilization of a Frazier suction cannula using a high-speed gravity displacement sterilizer?

10 minutes

Which of the following is not a principle of practice that can be applied when organizing the back table?

Handle each item only twice

Which of the following is a retractor commonly found in a major laparotomy set?

Richardson

The cranial nerve that innervates thoracic and abdominal organs is the

vagus nerve

Which of the following intravenous solutions would be administered to a patient experiencing an electrolyte imbalance during a surgical procedure?

lactated ringers solution

Which of the following is applied as a nonadherent dressing?

Adaptic

A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A surgical technologist should prepare a suture attached to which of the following types of needles?

blunt

_____ is not a separate disease organism but a syndrome that occurs because of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.

AIDS

A slightly negative pressure within the pleural cavity is

essential for lung function

All of the following factors increase the risk of surgical site infection EXCEPT:

gender

From the nasal cavity, air passes, in sequence, through the _________ on the way to the lungs.

pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi

Which of the following medications is a depolarizing agent used to provide muscle relaxation during a surgical procedure?

Succinylcholine

______________ is used to sterilize objects that
cannot tolerate the heat, moisture, and pressure of steam sterilization.

ethylene oxide

Why would a neurosurgeon order mannitol for a patient during a craniotomy for excision of tumor?

decrease intracranial pressure

______ is when both organisms benefit from and depend on one another to a certain extent.

mutualism

Semilunar valves prevent the flow of blood from a/an

large artery to a ventricle

The medullary cavity in a long bone contains

yellow marrow

X-rays of your patient 's leg have confirmed a diagnosis of a malignant tumor of the bone, known as an __________

osteosarcoma

A terminally ill patient whose advance directive is to refuse any life-saving efforts by health care workers is choosing which type of euthanasia?

passive

Of the following dyes used in surgery, which one is used to stain cervical tissue?

Lugol's solution

Which of the following is a type of passive drain?

Penrose

What type of anesthesia nerve block involves injecting local anesthetics with Wydase around the optic nerves?

retrobulbar

Blood returning to the right atrium is

deoxygenated

______ is the process by which all microorganism are eliminated, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

Sterilization

What abdominal muscle is retracted laterally during a paramedian incision?

rectus abdominus

An exploratory laparotomy is being performed on a 23-year-old male patient who has a gunshot wound to the abdomen. While performing the surgery, the surgeon finds that the bullet has
become lodged in the double fold of peritoneum called the

omentum

During laparoscopic procedures where carbon dioxide gas is used for insufflation, the abdominal pressure in the average healthy adult should be kept at:

12-18 mm Hg

Select the response that is not a lymphatic organ.

liver

The heart chamber receiving oxygenated blood from returning veins is the

left atrium

Over half of the water loss from the body occurs via

urine

Chondromalacia refers to what?

An abnormal softening of the cartilage

All of the following are ways to reduce personnel radiological exposure EXCEPT:

amplification

How many hours must the steam sterilization biological indicator incubate?

24

The correct temperature and time parameters for flash sterilizing an instrument with a lumen in a gravity displacement sterilizer is

270°F for 10 minutes.

What is the minimum number of minutes to sterilize unwrapped metal instruments with lumens in the gravity displacement sterilizer at 270° F?

10

The surgeon's order calls for a 3,750 mcg dose of a medication. Which of the following is an equivalent dosage?

3.75 mg

Bile is temporarily stored in the

gallbladder

Which gloving method should be performed by the surgical technologist after donning a sterile gown and before setting up the back table?

Closed gloving

select the bone that is not part of the cranium

maxilla

The trachea branches to form two air passages, the

primary bronchi

An agent used against fever is:

antipyretic

How is the surgical informed consent signed if an adult patient is illiterate?

Patient marks with an "X" and witness verifies

_____ wounds are almost always contaminated because they are caused by external forces and often occur in environments that are mildly or grossly contaminated.

trauma

The reabsorption of water and electrolytes is the main function of the

large intestine

The liver secretes

bile

What is the minimum number of suction systems or units required in an operating room?

two

Dyes used in ophthalmic surgery include which of the following?

flourescein

What medication would be given to the patient pre-operatively to produce an amnesic effect?

Midazolam

Which of the following methods of sterilization is the most widely used, effective, and safest method of sterilization?

steam sterilization

The surgical technologist is alarmed by the slurred speech, smell of alcohol, and disheveled appearance of the surgeon while he dons gown and gloves. The surgical technologist should

request a nurse manager to come to the room

If a suture strand hangs or extends over the sterile table edge, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should:

Consider the suture contaminated and discard it

The right atrium receives blood directly from the

venae cavae

The acronym RACE is used by most healthcare facilities to prepare hospital personnel in event of fire. What does the ""C" stand for?

to contain

What would be the exposure phase time for an unwrapped instrument set with some lumens in a dynamic air removal steam autoclave?

4 minutes

All of the following could be used in an above the knee amputation except:

beaver blade

To minimize the risk of patient burn or electric shock injury when using monopolar electrosurgery, the patient return electrode (PRE) should be applied

over a large muscle mass.

Combining form that means groin:

inguin/o

Which of the following antibiotics is often added to topical irrigating solutions as a prophylaxis against bacteria in a variety of
surgical procedures?

Bacitracin

Which of the following equipment uses high intensity sound waves to assist in the cleaning of instruments through a process
called cavitation?

ultrasonic cleaner

________ are performed by two people during any surgery in which an item can be lost inside the patient.

Surgical counts

According to the Joint Commission's definition regarding consent to surgical intervention, which party has "autonomy"?

Patient

A special consent form would be required for which of the following situations during a hospital admission?

surgical procedure

____________________ is an anaerobic bacteria, referred to as "gas gangrene," that causes rapid tissue death in deep wounds deprived of oxygen.

Clostridium perfringens

CST Dave is preparing to scrub for an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in Room 7. He should open his gown and gloves

On a separate prep table

An injury a patient sustains as a result of the care given by a healthcare professional is called:

latrogenic

All of the following should be counted on the sterile field except?

Dressing sponges

____________ wounds are almost always contaminated because they are caused by external forces and often occur in environments that are mildly or grossly contaminated.

Trauma

A properly written surgical consent document will provide which of the following?

Specifics about the surgery

Active drains use _____ pressure to work.

Negative

_________ items must be sterile. These items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system.

Critical

The BI for steam sterilization contains which of the following spores?

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

All of the following are acceptable practices of aseptic technique and preservation of the sterile field except:

Going on coffee break only if no one is in the OR and the doors are locked

The left ventricle pumps blood directly into the

aorta

The minimum Fahrenheit temperature for sterilization to occur is a pre-vacuum steam sterilizer is:

270-276

In addition to temperature, time and moisture, what is the fourth factor that determines the outcome of the steam sterilization process?

pressure

Which of the following drugs is a narcotic analgesic?

Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol)

The plane that separates the body into the front and back, or anterior and posterior portions, is the

frontal/coronal

Which of the following is a heavy, curved, tapered needle?

Mayo

An inhalation agent that can trigger malignant hyperthermia is

Halothane

What kind of anesthetic block is used for a vitrectomy procedure?

retrobulbar

Cerebrospinal fluid is located between the

pia mater and arachnoid mater

A surgeon tells a patient she has terminal cancer but requires prophylactic surgery to prevent a bowel obstruction and the
patient replies, "This can't be happening to me." Which stage of grief is the patient displaying?

denial

In OB/GYN which medication can be used to treat uterine hemorrhage following childbirth?

oxytocin

Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the next case in OR 1 is scheduled in two
hours. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?

New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup in OR 1 should be
disposed of.

What is the preferred method of anesthesia for a cesarean section delivery?

epidural

The surgical technologist has pulled supplies from the preference card for an exploratory laparotomy with Dr. Holcomb. Which of the following supplies are counted for an exploratory
laparotomy?

Bovie tip, laparotomy sponges, hypodermic needles, suture needles, raytecs, knife blades,
peanuts

An operating room where a surgical procedure is in progress would be considered what type of area?

restricted

Didi, the CST in the scrub role, is stuck with a contaminated needle during a surgical procedure. Which of these microorganisms can be transmitted through needle sticks?

Hepatitis B virus

Which of the following intravenous solutions would be administered to a patient experiencing an electrolyte imbalance during a surgical procedure?

lactated ringers solution

Regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus is prevented by the

lower esophageal sphincter

_____ is the most superficial layer of the meninges.

dura mater

Both bile and pancreatic juice are emptied into the

duodenum

In positioning the sterile back table in accordance with aseptic technique, the CST knows that the table should be placed
_______ from the unsterile wall.

12-18 inches

What is the normal indigenous microflora on the skin?

Staphylococcus aureus

If moisture is noted while opening an instrument tray, the tray is considered contaminated because

moisture creates a pathway for microorganisms to enter the tray from the outside.

A hernia that forms due to a defect in the inter nal inguinal ring is referred to as a __________ hernia.

indirect inguinal

At the conclusion of a surgical case, how should a surgical technologist aid in reducing bioburden on instruments as the
FIRST step in the sterilization cycle?

hand cleaning

All of the following are techniques for eliminating dead space in a wound EXCEPT:

electrical nerve stimulation

A surgeon was teaching the new residents as he closed the muscle and fascia layer following an open cholecystectomy. He
stated that he liked the tensile strength of this monofilamented synthetic suture, but it was hard to manage with its memory and
slipperiness and normally needed six surgeon's knots to hold. He
was using:

polypropylene.

A patient is prescribed 1.5 g of a drug daily. If each capsule contains 500 mg, how many should the patient take each day?

3

Cherney, Maylard, and Pfannenstiel are examples of gynecologic:

transverse abdominal incisions

What is the minimum exposure time for sterilization in a gravity displacement steam sterilizer set at 121C (250F) for
sterilization of wrapped instruments?

30 minutes

"Let the master respond" is an example of the

doctrine of respondeat superior

Lana is scheduled for an exploratory laparotomy. She is brought in to the OR and moved to the operating table. Where
should the safety strap be placed?

2 inches; proximal to the knees

A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field intraoperatively because it

is sent to pathology immediately

Clostridium tetani causes

tetanus

Select the body cavities separated by the diaphragm

abdominal and thoracic

Which of the following wounds is MOST likely in the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

an abdominal incision, 20 minutes post procedure

What color is the abnormal tissue after staining with acetic acid in a cervical biopsy?

white

A special made instrument without a backup falls to the floor during a procedure. Which of the following is the BEST reason to hesitate performing immediate-use sterilization?

The manufacturer's standards for sterilizing the instrument are unknown

Which of the following methods of sterilization is highly mutagenic
and carcinogenic and constitutes a safety hazard?

ethylene oxide sterilization

_______ occurs in the period immediately after trauma.

inflammatory response

Which type of urinary drainage catheter requires an incision and anchoring to the skin to prevent dislodgement?

suprapubic

By which intention would a wound treated by debridement and placement of medicated packing, then sutured after resolution of the infection heal?

third intention

In Erickson's developmental stages, the 12- to 18-year-old adolescent patient is addressing which major psychological issues?

identity versus role confusion

Another name for the pinna of the external ear is the __________

auricle

In the middle of the case, a critical stainless steel suction instrument is contaminated and there is no sterile replacement. Which time setting would be selected for the prevacuum flash
autoclave?

4 minutes

All of the sterile technique principles listed below are correct except?

Sterile drapes, once placed, may be adjusted as needed

The _______ receives blood from the pulmonary veins.

left atrium

A mydriatic, is a medication which causes

dilation of the pupil

Which of the following is a complication of wound healing?

fistula

Termination of anesthesia and the process of regaining consciousness are called ____________.

emergence

_______ nerve innervates the organs of respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. This nerve is the longest cranial nerve.

Vagus nerve.

The surgical technologist contaminated their gown by backing into the nurse while organizing their sterile field. The tech decides that the best course of action is to re-scrub, re-gown, and re-glove before continuing to organize their field. The tech wants to avoid contaminating their back table and mayo stand. Where is the BEST place for the surgical technologist to open their new gown and gloves?

The tech should open their new gown and gloves on a prep stand.

Which is an example of an active drain?

Jackson Pratt

Air-filled cavities in bones surrounding the nasal cavity are the

paranasal sinuses

A Maloney bougie dilator is used in which anatomical structure?

esophagus

Which of the following legal terms would apply to a case when a non-English speaking patient signs a surgical informed consent in English, but does not fully understand it?

assault and battery

_______ is defined as difficulty in breathing.

dyspnea

Blood is filtered and cleansed by the

spleen

Which of the following is a double bowl-shaped glass evacuator used to irrigate debris (prostatic chips, calculi) from the bladder via a scope sheath?

Ellik

A wrapped instrument set that will be run in the steam pre-vacuum sterilizer at 270° must be sterilized for a minimum of:

4 minutes