Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

During a cesarean section, which organ is freed from the uterus to prevent injury?

1. Pelvic ligaments

2. Ureters

3. Fallopian tubes

4. Bladder

The correct answer is: Bladder

During a cesarean section, the bladder is carefully freed from the uterus to prevent injury. The surgical team takes great care to identify and protect the bladder, which is located anteriorly to the uterus. As the uterus is manipulated and opened to deliver the baby, it is critical to ensure that the bladder is not inadvertently damaged. If the bladder were to be injured during this procedure, it could lead to significant complications, including urinary leakage, infection, or the need for additional surgical intervention. The other structures mentioned, such as the pelvic ligaments, ureters, and fallopian tubes, are also considered during surgery but are not directly freed from the uterus in the same manner as the bladder. The ureters, which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, are usually located posteriorly and may require careful dissection if they are in close proximity to the surgical field, but they are not usually directly manipulated as part of freeing the organ from the uterus. Therefore, the protection of the bladder is paramount in preventing undue damage during a cesarean section.