CST PRACTICE EXAM B QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2024/2025

A surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for the dressing following a
TAH. The patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site. The surgeon has left
the room. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take?
A. Place a pressure dressing.
B. Cover with Dermabond.
C. Steri-Strip the incision.
D. Have the surgeon return.
EXPLANATIONS:(u) A. Although placing a pressure dressing may help the hematoma
from getting bigger, this will not correct the problem.(u) B. Dermabond is a fibrin glue
used to join skin edges without using sutures.(u)
C. Steri-Strips are used to reinforce skin closure and would not help in eliminating a
hematoma.(c) D. The surgeon would need to see the incision site and evaluate the extent of
the hematoma. Some hematomas require evacuation to prevent infection; others reabsorb
and require no further action. REFERENCE:
Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice, 2009, 5
th Ed., Joanna Kotcher Fuller, pg. 374
Which of the following is a sign of cardiac arrest?
A. edema
B. convulsion
C. cyanosis
D. hypertension
EXPLANATIONS:(u) A. Edema is not a sign of cardiac arrest. (u) B. Convulsions are not
a sign of cardiac arrest.(c) C. With lack of circulation (which provides oxygen to tissues) in
cardiac arrest, the patient will look blue (cyanotic).(u) D. Lack of circulation related to
cardiac arrest causes a decrease in blood pressure.REFERENCE:
American Heart Association - CPR Guidelines: www.heart.org
The number of Staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by
A. wearing a surgical cap.
B. wearing hospital scrubs.
C. keeping the OR doors closed.
D. a thorough surgical hand scrub.
EXPLANATIONS:(u) A. The surgical cap will keep hair from the surgical area; staph is
found predominantly on the skin.(u) B. The hospital scrubs are there to keep the employees
from bringing micro-organisms from outside the OR into the surgical environment.(u) C.
Keeping OR doors closed helps to keep micro-organisms outside the room from entering;
however, staph is found predominantly on the skin.(c) D. A thorough surgical hand scrub
(followed by sterile glov