Fuller: Surgical Technology, 5th Edition

Chapter 1: The Surgical Technologist

Test Bank

TRUE/FALSE

	1.	Professionals in allied health follow the principles of medicine and nursing in that they participate in the health and well-being of people through specific tasks and expertise.

ANS:	T
Allied health professionals are highly trained and must have a global view of health as well as the education and capability to focus on highly technical aspects of health care delivery.

REF:	p. 2

	2.	Sterile personnel are scrubbed and have donned surgical gown and gloves.

ANS:	T
The tasks of the surgical technologist are described as “sterile” or “nonsterile.”

REF:	p. 8

	3.	The first surgical technologists were army corpsmen trained to assist in surgery.

ANS:	T
During World War I, army corpsmen worked on the battlefield to offer aid and comfort to the wounded, but they had no role in surgery. World War II dramatically changed that. The army began training corpsmen to assist in surgery, a role that previously had been filled only by nurses. By this time, however, corpsmen were expected to administer anesthesia and assistant the surgeon.

REF:	p. 2

	4.	The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses is the professional organization for nurses and surgical technologists.

ANS:	F
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) is an organization for surgical nurses.

REF:	p. 1

	5.	A circulator is the nonsterile surgical team member who assists in gathering additional supplies and equipment needed during the surgical procedure.

ANS:	T
The nonsterile surgical team member with direct patient care duties and responsibilities is the circulator. This is a licensed health care provider who may be assisted by a surgical technologist.

REF:	p. 8

	6.	To use the title “Certified Surgical Technologist,” one must successfully pass the certification exam distributed by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

ANS:	T
The NBSTSA (formerly the LCC-ST) has oversight for certification and credentialing for surgical technologists and surgical technologist first assistants. The organization is responsible for the eligibility, granting, revoking, and denial of certification.

REF:	p. 3

	7.	Certification for the certified surgical technologist (CST) is maintained as long as the CST becomes a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists.

ANS:	F
AST is a professional organization and does not determine certification of its members.

REF:	p. 3

	8.	In surgery, professional and personal honesty about one’s actions, mistakes, and abilities is called surgical conscience.

ANS:	T
When any professional makes an error, he or she must admit the error at the time it is made. It is difficult to expose an error, particularly in front of others, but doing so and accepting responsibility are signs of professional and emotional maturity. It is a requirement for work in any health care profession.

REF:	p. 8

	9.	Many operative accidents, such as needle sticks, accidental cutting or burning, and loss of items in the surgical wound, are not the result of a lack of knowledge or skills but a lack of attention.

ANS:	T
Many operative accidents, such as needle sticks, accidental cutting or burning, and loss of items in the surgical wound, are not the result of a lack of knowledge or skill, but of a lack of attention.

REF:	p. 9

	10.	If certified, the surgical technologist may legally perform any or all of the same tasks that the registered nurse may perform in the perioperative setting.

ANS:	F
Surgical technologists are often confronted with situations in which they are asked to perform an activity that they are prohibited from performing according to state jurisdiction. Many states specify certain tasks that the surgical technologist cannot perform even if a surgeon, a nurse, or another licensed person delegates the task.

REF:	p. 9

MULTIPLE CHOICE

	1.	The professional association for surgical technologists is the ________.
a.	Association of periOperative Registered Nurses	
b.	American College of Surgeons	
c.	Association of Surgical Technologists	
d.	Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology	

ANS:	C
The AST is the surgical technologists’ professional organization. The association promotes professional standards by providing services to its members as well as legislative support to promote and formalize the status of surgical technologists.

REF:	p. 3

	2.	________ demonstrates that a surgical technologist from an accredited program has achieved a minimum level of knowledge and skills.
a.	Licensure	
b.	An associate’s degree	
c.	Graduation	
d.	Certification	

ANS:	D
Certification is a demonstration of competency to a particular standard, usually set by the professional organization.

REF:	p. 4

	3.	Certification for the surgical technologist is ________.
a.	mandatory	
b.	voluntary	
c.	unnecessary	
d.	invalid	

ANS:	B
Certification is voluntary and is not required for practice in a profession.

REF:	p. 4

	4.	Certification differs from licensure in that certification ________.
a.	does not require continuing education credits	
b.	allows employers to evaluate prospective employees by one verifiable national standard	
c.	is not currently mandatory to practice in all 50 states	
d.	is a no-cost exam	

ANS:	C
Licensure is a process in which the state government issues registration and the right to practice. Certification is not mandatory.

REF:	p. 4

	5.	The process of transferring responsibility for an activity from a licensed person to a nonlicensed person, with the person initiating the transfer retaining accountability for the outcome of the activity, is known as ________.
a.	a dependent task	
b.	delegation	
c.	assignment	
d.	an independent task	

ANS:	B
Delegation is the transfer of responsibility for an activity from one person to another. In the health care setting, delegation refers to the assignment of tasks that are normally the responsibility of a licensed person.

REF:	p. 10

	6.	The nonsterile member of the surgical team is called the ______.
a.	assistant	
b.	scrubber	
c.	circulator	
d.	surgeon	

ANS:	C
The circulator is a nonsterile team member.

REF:	p. 8

	7.	The ability to prioritize tasks and equipment in a logical and efficient manner is called ________ skills.
a.	manual 	
b.	organizational 	
c.	mental 	
d.	profession 	

ANS:	B
Good organizational skills in surgery are expressed as the ability to prioritize tasks and equipment in a logical and efficient manner.

REF:	p. 9

	8.	In addition to the hospital operating room, ________ may work in private specialty practices or ambulatory surgical centers, may manage central or sterile supply departments, may become sales representatives, or may teach surgical technology in a variety of settings.
a.	licensed professionals only	
b.	surgical orderlies or aides	
c.	only health-care workers given the right to practice by a governmental agency	
d.	surgical technologists	

ANS:	D
An important goal for surgical technology students and experienced professionals alike is role integration. Surgical technologists can work in various surgical settings, central or supply departments, sales, or teaching.

REF:	p. 7

	9.	The successful surgical technologist possesses certain personal characteristics and aptitudes that contribute greatly to both good patient care and job satisfaction. Although most skills can be learned, certain characteristics such as ________ cannot be taught.
a.	honesty, empathy, and caring	
b.	professional and personal growth	
c.	surgical conscience and sterile technique	
d.	communication skills and interpersonal relations	

ANS:	A
Although most skills can be learned, certain characteristics, such as honesty, empathy, and caring, cannot be taught. Novices to the profession likely have many valuable untapped skills and attributes that develop with time and experience.

REF:	p. 8

	10.	________ is a response to the emotional or physical experiences of another human. It is the dual ability to comprehend the feelings of others and convey that comprehension through words, actions, or body language.
a.	Respect	
b.	Surgical conscience	
c.	Empathy	
d.	Emotional maturity	

ANS:	C
Empathy is a response to the emotional or physical experience of another human. It is the dual ability to comprehend the other’s feelings—grief, joy, sorrow, pain—and to convey that comprehension through words, actions, or body language.

REF:	p. 8

	11.	________ is a form of empathy, because it requires protection of another’s vulnerability. Lack of this quality implies that a person has little worth as a human being. Lack of this quality in front of patients may cause them to question or mistrust the care they may receive.
a.	Honesty	
b.	Respect	
c.	Emotional self-control	
d.	Personal maturity	

ANS:	B
Respect for others is a quality that is universally recognized and admired in all environments. When people are respected, they feel accepted as they are. Lack of respect implies that a person has little worth as a human being.

REF:	p. 8

	12.	Strong emotional reactions must be expressed appropriately and channeled in a healthy way. The emotional maturity and self-control of operating room personnel contribute greatly to ________.
a.	the surgeon’s ability to operate	
b.	the surgical technologist’s ability to anticipate the surgeon’s needs	
c.	a professional and safe work environment	
d.	the ability to put events into perspective and enjoy the lighter side of work	

ANS:	C
The operating room environment can be stressful at times. The emotional maturity and self-control of operating room personnel contribute greatly to a professional and safe work environment.

REF:	p. 8

	13.	In surgery, taking responsibility for one’s actions, mistakes, and abilities is called ________, one of the most important elements for success as a surgical technologist.
a.	surgical conscience	
b.	organization	
c.	concentration	
d.	sense of humor	

ANS:	A
In surgery, professional and personal honesty about one’s actions, mistakes, and abilities is called surgical conscience. When any professional makes an error, he or she must admit the error at the time it is made.

REF:	p. 8

	14.	Manual dexterity, organizational skills, and concentration are all desirable attributes for a surgical technologist to possess. These skills are important because ________.
a.	the more skills a surgical technologist has, the better she or he is paid	
b.	a surgical technologist must have these skills to become certified	
c.	they determine the surgical technologist’s scope of practice	
d.	they contribute to good patient care and job satisfaction	

ANS:	D
Manual dexterity, organizational skills, and concentration are all skills that allow surgical technologists to help the patient and feel satisfied with their job.

REF:	p. 8

	15.	A professional’s ________ is determined by a regulating agency to protect the public and ensure a high level of quality medical care.
a.	hospital policy	
b.	scope of practice	
c.	certification exam	
d.	operative permit	

ANS:	B
The scope of practice is determined by several different regulating agencies to protect the public and ensure a high level of quality medical care. Regulating bodies specify the type of activities that the surgical technologist can legally perform.

REF:	p. 9

	16.	__________ tasks are those that the surgical technologist performs without supervision.
a.	Dependant	
b.	Delegated	
c.	Independent	
d.	Institutional	

ANS:	C
Activities such as preparing surgical equipment and maintaining the sterile field are independent tasks.

REF:	p. 10

	17.	__________ is the transfer of responsibility for an activity from one person to another.
a.	Delegation	
b.	Decision	
c.	Transfer	
d.	Order	

ANS:	A
Delegation is the transfer of responsibility for an activity from one person to another. In the health care setting, delegation refers to the assignment of tasks that are normally the responsibility of a licensed person.

REF:	p. 11

	18.	Manual dexterity is a desirable quality of the surgical technologist because ________ .
a.	the handling of instruments requires manual skills and keen observation	
b.	hand-eye coordination is required to master the skills needed during a surgical procedure	
c.	equipment must be handled effectively at all times	
d.	all of the above	

ANS:	D
Equipment must be assembled and handled efficiently and without confusion. This requires manual skills and keen observation. Excellent hand-eye coordination is required to master the skills needed to prepare for and assist during surgery.

REF:	p. 9

	19.	As the surgery progresses, the surgical technologist must ________.
a.	wait for the surgeon to ask for what he or she needs	
b.	depend on the CST-CFA to let him or her know what the surgeon needs	
c.	have the instruments and supplies close enough for the surgeon to get what he or she needs	
d.	be able to anticipate each step of the surgery	

ANS:	D
One of the surgical technologist’s main responsibilities from the time the first incision is made to the end of the procedure is to anticipate each step of the surgery.

REF:	p. 9

	20.	Serving as preceptor requires patience and a willingness to ________ knowledge and experience.
a.	share	
b.	withhold	
c.	ignore	
d.	forget	

ANS:	A
Serving as preceptor requires patience and a willingness to share knowledge and experience. Box 1-1 lists guidelines for serving as a preceptor in the operating room.

REF:	p. 8

	21.	The original name for the surgical technologist was __________.
a.	surgical assisting specialist	
b.	operating room technician	

ANS:	B
Operating room technicians were used in World War II, and the term surgical technologist evolved through several years. Formal training for the civilian ORT began in proprietary schools across the United States. AORN published a book entitled Teaching the Operating Room Technician in 1967. In 1968 the AORN Board of Directors created the Association of Operating Room Technicians (AORT). In 1973, the AORT became independent from the AORN and the profession changed its title to Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).

REF:	p. 3

	22.	________ is the surgical technologist’s professional organization, advocating professional and personal growth.
a.	AST	
b.	AORN	

ANS:	A
The association promotes professional standards by providing services to its members as well as legislative support to promote and formalize the status of surgical technologists.

REF:	p. 3

	23.	Graduates from accredited surgical technology programs who pass the LCC-ST national certification exam demonstrate entry-level competency in the profession and earn the title of certified surgical technologist. ________ is a voluntary method of credentialing for the surgical technologist that allows employers to evaluate prospective employees by one verifiable national standard.
a.	Certification	
b.	Licensure	

ANS:	A
Certification is voluntary and is not required for practice in a profession.

REF:	p. 4

	24.	Continuing education credits ensure that individuals keep current with information and technology. A surgical technologist’s continued education credits are maintained through ____________.
a.	place of employment	
b.	professional organization	

ANS:	B
Continuing education credits are provided by a professional organization. Credits are earned by attending lectures and in-service presentations or by study and examination.

REF:	p. 5

	25.	The ________ of operating room personnel contribute to a professional and safe work environment.
a.	title and pay scale	
b.	emotional maturity and self-control	

ANS:	B
The emotional maturity and self-control of operating room personnel contribute greatly to a professional and safe work environment. Emotional maturity is the ability to control strong feelings and vent them appropriately in a constructive manner.

REF:	p. 8

	26.	In surgery, honesty about one’s actions, mistakes, and abilities is called ________. It is one of the most important elements for becoming a successful surgical technologist.
a.	surgical conscience	
b.	a sense of humor	

ANS:	A
In surgery, professional and personal honesty about one’s actions, mistakes, and abilities is called surgical conscience. When any professional makes an error, he or she must admit the error at the time it is made.

REF:	p. 8

	27.	In all work settings, the surgical technologist performs duties within task boundaries called _______________. This is determined by a number of different regulating agencies to protect the public and ensure a high level of quality medical care.
a.	delegated tasks	
b.	scope of practice	

ANS:	B
In all work settings, the surgical technologist performs duties within task boundaries called the scope of practice. The scope of practice is determined by several different regulating agencies to protect the public and ensure a high level of quality medical care.

REF:	p. 9

	28.	During a surgical procedure, the surgeon delegates the task of retraction to the surgical technologist. The ________ can be accountable for any tissue damage that may occur.
a.	surgical technologist	
b.	surgeon	

ANS:	B
If the surgeon delegates the task of retraction to the surgical technologist during surgery, it is the surgeon who is accountable for any tissue damage that may occur as a result of that retraction.

REF:	p. 10

	29.	Surgical technologists are trained in military facilities, 2-year colleges, and in vocational and for-profit programs called __________.
a.	proprietary	
b.	institutional	

ANS:	A
Surgical technologists are trained in military facilities, 2-year colleges and in vocational and proprietary (for-profit) programs.

REF:	p. 4

	30.	According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, it provides a “tool for measuring the ongoing progress of the surgical technologist from one level to another.” This is called clinical _________.
a.	ladder	
b.	progression	

ANS:	A
The Clinical Ladder Program was established to provide incentives for surgical technologists to advance their clinical skills and competency in key areas. According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, it provides a “tool for measuring the ongoing progress of the surgical technologist from one level to another.”

REF:	p. 4

MATCHING

Choose from the terms listed and match them with their most correct description. You will use the same answer more than once.
a.	surgical technologist	
b.	circulator	
c.	surgeon	

	1.	Nonsterile team member; gathers extra supplies and equipment as needed

	2.	AORN is the professional organization to which she or he may belong

	3.	Certified by the NBSTSA

	4.	Must be able to anticipate the surgeon’s needs at the operative site

	5.	Accountable for ensuring that the preoperative checklist is complete

	6.	Usually gowned and gloved by another member of the sterile team

	7.	Will set up and maintain the sterile field

	8.	AST is the professional organization to which he or she may belong

	9.	Performs the duties as a preceptor during operative procedures

	10.	Provides direct patient care before the surgery begins

	1.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	2.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	3.	ANS:	C	REF:	p. 1-11

	4.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	5.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	6.	ANS:	C	REF:	p. 1-11

	7.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	8.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	9.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	10.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

Choose from the terms listed and match them with their most correct description. You will use the same answer more than once.
a.	nonsterile team member	
b.	sterile team member	

	11.	Scrubs and dons gown and gloves

	12.	Prepares instruments and supplies in sterile supply department for next case

	13.	May perform duties within the circulator role

	14.	Assembles, wraps, and sterilizes instrument sets as necessary

	15.	Gowns and gloves the surgeon and CST-CFA

	16.	Organizes instruments and surgical supplies needed for surgical procedure

	17.	Gathers additional supplies or equipment as needed during the procedure

	18.	Anticipates the steps of the surgical procedure

	19.	Maintains the integrity of the sterile field during the procedure

	20.	Maintains safety on the surgical field by monitoring the location of all sharps, keeping track of sponges and instruments, and following safety precautions with equipment

	11.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	12.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	13.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	14.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	15.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	16.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	17.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	18.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11

	19.	ANS:	A	REF:	p. 1-11

	20.	ANS:	B	REF:	p. 1-11