TL;DR
Learn wound assessment, burn classification, and appropriate management techniques. Wound care requires understanding of healing physiology and is commonly tested.
Free Wound Dressing & Drains Practice Questions
CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) · Postoperative Care
This module covers Wound Dressing & Drains as part of the Postoperative Care section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) |
| Pass Rate | 72% |
| Duration | 240 minutes |
| Module | Wound Dressing & Drains |
Why Wound Dressing & Drains matters
Wound Dressing & Drains is tested because wound assessment and management skills are used across all clinical settings.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. Which type of drain operates by creating a closed-suction vacuum and is commonly used after mastectomy or abdominal surgery to prevent seroma formation?
- Penrose drain
- Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain
- Cigarette drain
- T-tube drain
2. A patient has undergone an open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial fracture (Class I clean wound). The surgeon asks the surgical technologist to prepare the dressing. The MOST appropriate initial dressing for this type of wound is:
- Wet-to-dry gauze dressing changed every 4 hours
- Non-adherent contact layer (Adaptic or Xeroform), followed by absorbent gauze, and secured with an elastic bandage or tape
- Transparent film dressing (Tegaderm) alone over the full incision
- No dressing — clean surgical wounds heal better when left open to air
3. A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain has been placed at a surgical site. In the immediate postoperative period, the circulating nurse reports that the drain has produced 200 mL of bright red output in the first hour. This finding suggests:
- Normal postoperative drainage that requires no intervention
- Possible active hemorrhage requiring immediate notification of the surgeon
- The drain is malfunctioning and should be replaced
- The drain reservoir needs to be emptied but no further action is needed
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Start practicing free →4. When applying a postoperative dressing, the surgical technologist should apply the dressing:
- Before the final count is completed to protect the wound
- After the final count is verified as correct, the wound is cleaned of prep solution and blood, and the surgeon approves dressing application
- After the patient is extubated and awake
- Only after the patient is transferred to the stretcher
5. An occlusive dressing such as a transparent film (Tegaderm) is MOST appropriate for which type of wound?
- A large, heavily draining abdominal wound
- A clean, minimally draining surgical incision or IV catheter site
- A deep wound requiring packing with gauze
- A full-thickness burn with eschar
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