Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

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A Fogarty catheter is used during a/an:

Gastrectomy
Thoracotomy
Embolectomy
Craniotomy

The correct answer is: Embolectomy

A Fogarty catheter is specifically designed to remove emboli from blood vessels, making it an essential tool during an embolectomy procedure. This procedure involves the surgical removal of an embolus that may be obstructing blood flow in arteries, most commonly in the context of peripheral vascular disease. The Fogarty catheter is passed through the vascular system to locate the embolus, and then the balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to capture and remove the clot or blockage. This is critical in restoring normal blood circulation and preventing tissue damage associated with prolonged ischemia. While the other procedures listed—gastrectomy, thoracotomy, and craniotomy—are significant surgical operations, they do not utilize the Fogarty catheter due to their different anatomical focus and surgical goals. Gastrectomy pertains to the stomach, thoracotomy involves the chest cavity and lungs, and craniotomy relates to the brain. Each of these would typically employ different instruments that are more suited for the respective contexts.