Chapter 13: Intraoperative and Postoperative Surgical Case Management

The primary principle when passing instruments to the surgeon is to:

Place the instrument into a surgeon's palm so that it is received as ready for use.

A kick bucket is used for:

Used Sponges

When adding items to the sterile field, it is important to consider:

That the additional items should not disrupt the progression of the surgical procedure.

An example of anticipatory skills that a CST should learn is:

Passing Instruments to the Surgeon

When the surgeon is on the same side of the table as the CST and to the CST's left, which hand should the CST use for passing instruments to the surgeon's right hand?

CST's Right Hand

Which of the following procedures should be followed with all sharps, such as needles and scalpels, once the patient leaves the OR?

Throwing them into the hazardous waste container.

The final count is performed during surgery:

When the surgeon is closing the skin incision.

The purpose of covering contaminated items during transport to the decontamination area is to:

Prevent contamination from spreading.

When does the intraoperative phase of case management begin?

When the incision is made or an endoscope is inserted.

Which of the following individuals is responsible for labeling all the medication on the sterile field?

CST

Which of the following procedures is the responsibility of the CST regarding specimen care?

To prepare and label specimens.

Which of the following types of specimens is usually immediately handed off the sterile field to the circulator for preparation and labeling?

Specimen for frozen section

Which of the following types of communication is most common within the sterile field during surgery?

Verbal Communication

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

Surgical Drapes

Which of the following criteria is used to evaluate patients for safe discharge from the PACU?

Aldrete Score

The neutral zone is used for:

Safe Sharps Handling

Which of the following statements describes how soiled sponges are counted?

They are counted by the CST and the circulator and placed in an impermeable plastic bag.

When the surgeon asks for an item during surgery, the typical response from the CST is to:

Place the item on the surgeon's hand

What should a CST do if they notice a break in the sterile technique during surgery?

Recognize and correct the break in sterile technique

One of the primary reasons for arranging instruments and supplies on the Mayo stand in a specific manner is:

To ensure safe and efficient instrument transfer

Which of the following statements describes what should be done with used needles and scalpel blades during surgery?

They should be placed in the sharps pad container on the back table.

The purpose of applying a nonadherent contact layer before dressing a wound is to:

Avoid anything sticking to the wound

The CST should anticipate the continuing need for hemostasis during the surgical procedure:

Throughout the entire procedure

Which of the following choices should the CST provide to the surgeon for cleaning the incision site at the end of the procedure?

A wet and dry sponge

Which of the following instruments is considered one of the more dangerous instruments used in surgery?

Scalpel

It is important to follow a consistent routine for room turnover in the OR to:

Keep the schedule of procedures on track and prevent delays

Which of the following supplies is NOT typically found in a PACU cubicle?

Surgical Instruments

What should a CST do when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is opened during surgery?

Maintain the same surgical setup throughout the procedure

Which of the following individuals typically coordinates the transfer of an anesthetized patient from the operating bed to the stretcher?

The anesthesiologist

Which of the following statements explains why there are special considerations when instruments are used on a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease?

It is a prion disease, and prions are highly resistant to standard sterilization methods.

Which of the following statements describes how suction canisters and tubing are typically disposed of?

They are discarded according to hospital policy, which may include hazardous waste disposal.

When called upon during an emergency situation in the PACU, the primary role of the CST is to:

Retrieve needed equipment and supplies

Which of the following is NOT an example of blunt dissection of tissue?

Using endo shears through laparoscopic trocar to separate tissue

Which of the following individuals typically requests additional items to be added to the sterile field?

The CST