A patient is having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Which of the following structures are the tendons of the rotator cuff attached to? - Answer: Humerus Any unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury or the risk there of - Answer: Sentinel event Who is authorized to sign the informed surgical consent for a patient who is not mentally competent or is incapacitated? - Answer: Agency representative (two surgeons) Which stage of grief is a patient in when he or she begins to state:" Just let me live to see my daughter finish school?" - Answer: Bargaining A 10-year-old patient is scheduled for surgery in an operating room (OR) with a low temperature. What can be done to keep this patient from becoming hypothermic? - Answer: Warm the OR prior to the patient's arrival The first priority in treating a trauma patient is - Answer: Opening the airway Surgical Technology: Mock Certification Exam A pregnant patient has been diagnosed as having appendicitis and needs surgery. When should the surgery be performed? - Answer: Immediately How should the surgical tech handle a bullet that has been removed from a surgical patient? - Answer: With sterile gauze To keep airborne contamination in the OR to a minimum, how many maximum air changes should take place? - Answer: 20 per hour When using a laser, which precaution is best to use? - Answer: Place wet towels around the operative site Escherichia coli resides on humans in the lumen of the - Answer: Intestines The most commonly transmitted pathogen in the OR is - Answer: Staphylococcus aureus A patient has just been found to have a postsurgical infection. Which source is most likely the primary means of infecting this patient? - Answer: SSI from the patient's own skin The ST has just passed a new #10 blade to the surgeon to make the first incision on the skin. The surgeon has requested a #10 blade again. What should the ST do? - Answer: Change the blade to a new blade and pass Surgical Technology: Mock Certification Exam When an ST must move to the head of the OR table to retrieve a sponge, he or she must move: - Answer: back-to-back A circulator is preparing to pour medication into a sterile container. What should the ST do? - Answer: Hold the container away from the back table An ST needs a step stool during a surgical procedure. When is the best time to position the step stool? - Answer: Before the ST approaches the OR table