TL;DR
Study the assessment and management of eye, ear, nose, throat, and facial emergencies. These specialized assessments require specific knowledge tested on the CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA).
Free Counts (Sponge, Sharp, Instrument) Practice Questions
CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) · Intraoperative Procedures
This module covers Counts (Sponge, Sharp, Instrument) as part of the Intraoperative Procedures section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) |
| Pass Rate | 72% |
| Duration | 240 minutes |
| Module | Counts (Sponge, Sharp, Instrument) |
Why Counts (Sponge, Sharp, Instrument) matters
Counts (Sponge, Sharp, Instrument) is a core competency because proper technique directly impacts surgical outcomes and patient recovery.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. During a laparotomy, the initial sponge count reveals a package that contains only 4 radiopaque laparotomy sponges instead of the standard 5. What is the correct action?
- Use the package and adjust the count sheet to reflect 4 sponges
- Remove the entire package from the field, bag it separately, isolate it from the count, and open a new package
- Add a single loose sponge from another package to make 5
- Proceed with the case and mention the discrepancy at closing count
2. When documenting counts on the count sheet, which practice is correct?
- The circulating nurse records counts alone and verifies with the scrub at closing
- The scrub person and circulating nurse count items together aloud, and the circulating nurse records each item and quantity on the count sheet concurrently
- The surgeon dictates the count to the circulating nurse for documentation
- Counts are documented only in the postoperative nursing notes
3. During the closing count of a bowel resection, the sponge count is correct but the needle count is short by one. The surgeon states they want to close. The surgical technologist should:
- Allow the surgeon to close since the sponge count is correct
- Notify the surgeon verbally that the needle count is incorrect, search the field and drapes, and if unresolved, request an intraoperative X-ray before closure
- Document the missing needle in the chart and proceed with closure
- Open a new suture packet to replace the missing needle count
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Start practicing free →4. At what point(s) during a surgical procedure must counts be performed?
- Only before the incision and at skin closure
- Before the procedure, before closure of a body cavity, before closure of the first deep tissue layer, at skin closure, and at time of relief of the scrub person
- At the beginning and end of each shift
- Only when the surgeon requests a count
5. When should the initial count of sponges, sharps, and instruments be performed?
- After the incision is made
- Before the procedure begins (before the incision)
- Only during wound closure
- At the end of the case, during the debriefing
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