During a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon requests irrigation but the irrigation fluid appears to run slowly through the tubing despite the bag being full. The surgical technologist should troubleshoot by:

During a cystoscopy, the surgeon identifies a bladder tumor and plans a transurethral resection. What type of instrument will the surgical technologist need to set up?

A surgical technologist is preparing for an emergency exploratory laparotomy on a trauma patient. The patient is unconscious, has no identification, and no medical history is available. The surgical technologist should anticipate which additional supplies beyond the standard laparotomy setup?

The surgical technologist has completed the surgical hand scrub and is walking toward the OR with arms raised and hands above elbows. Another staff member accidentally brushes against the ST forearm below the elbow. What should the ST do?

A burn patient requires excision and grafting. The surgical technologist observes that the surgeon is excising tissue down to a level where punctate bleeding appears. The surgeon states this level provides the best graft bed. What tissue layer are they targeting?

During a laparoscopic hysterectomy, the surgeon is carefully identifying the course of the ureter before ligating the uterine artery. The surgical technologist should understand that the ureter is at risk during this step because:

The surgical technologist notices that sterile supplies on the bottom shelf of the storage room are sitting directly on the floor, and some packages appear slightly damp after the floor was mopped the previous evening. What corrective actions are needed?

A surgical technologist retrieving supplies for the next day cases notices that a sterile tray wrapper has a small tear near the seal. The external chemical indicator has changed appropriately and the tray is within its shelf-life date. Should the ST use this tray?

A patient who underwent a posterior spinal fusion at L3-S1 must be transferred from the prone position on the OR table to supine on the transport stretcher. What specific concern should the surgical technologist anticipate during this transfer?

After an orthopedic procedure involving a known MRSA-positive patient, what level of room cleaning is required?

A surgical technologist is offered a position as an orthopedic instrument representative sales assistant, where part of the job involves demonstrating instruments to surgeons during live cases. The ST is considering whether this role conflicts with their current CST certification. What should the ST consider?

During the annual Joint Commission survey, an inspector enters the OR and asks the surgical technologist to describe the facility fire safety plan, including the location of the nearest fire extinguisher and evacuation route. The ST should:

A surgical technologist observes that a colleague repeatedly touches their face mask with gloved hands while handling instruments during setup. This behavior most directly increases the risk of contamination by establishing which link in the chain of infection?

The surgeon requests that prophylactic antibiotics be administered before a total knee replacement. The surgical technologist should understand that the optimal timing for antibiotic administration is:

During a lengthy procedure, the surgical technologist has four labeled syringes on the Mayo stand: lidocaine 1%, bupivacaine 0.25%, heparinized saline, and epinephrine 1:100,000. The surgeon asks for “the local.” Multiple solutions could be considered “local” anesthetic. What should the ST do?

The surgeon requests papaverine to be applied topically to a harvested arterial graft that appears to be in spasm. The surgical technologist should understand that papaverine works by: