Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

Surgical masks are designed to protect both the surgical team and the patient from contamination during procedures. The correct practice is to change surgical masks after each case. This ensures that any potential contaminants or pathogens that may have accumulated on the mask during the surgery are not carried over to the next patient, thus maintaining a sterile environment.

Changing masks after each case also helps to minimize the risk of cross-contamination between patients and reduces the chances of infection. Since surgical masks are a vital component of infection control protocols, adhering to this guideline is essential for promoting patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

While other suggestions, such as changing masks after lunch or every two hours, may seem practical, they do not align with the strict protocols established for maintaining sterility and infection control in the operating room. Thus, proper timing for mask changes is critical in ensuring a sterile operative environment.