Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin:

1. Sterile

2. Disinfected

3. Surgically clean

4. Moistened and dehydrated

The correct answer is: Surgically clean

A properly performed surgical scrub is designed to render the skin surgically clean. This means that the skin has been thoroughly cleaned and prepared to minimize the presence of microorganisms, reducing the risk of infection during surgical procedures. The process involves the use of antiseptic agents, which significantly lower the number of bacteria on the skin, but it's important to note that it does not achieve sterility in the same way that instruments or materials can be sterilized. While the skin is disinfected, it remains considered "surgically clean" rather than sterile, as complete sterility cannot be guaranteed due to the natural layers of skin and the presence of skin flora. Moisturizing or dehydrating the skin is not a goal of surgical scrubbing; rather, the focus is on effective cleaning to create a safe environment for surgery. In summary, the term "surgically clean" accurately describes the condition of the skin after a surgical scrub, making it the correct choice.