Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is a common intraoperative indicator of significant blood loss?

1. Increased heart rate

2. Elevated blood pressure

3. Decreased respiratory rate

4. Heightened alertness

The correct answer is: Increased heart rate

A common intraoperative indicator of significant blood loss is an increased heart rate. When a patient experiences blood loss, the body compensates by increasing the heart rate to maintain adequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to vital organs. This physiological response is a part of the body's effort to counteract the decreased blood volume and ensure that blood flow is sufficient despite the loss. Increased heart rate can be attributed to several mechanisms, including activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline. Both of these responses occur as the body attempts to maintain hemodynamic stability. Monitoring heart rate during surgery is therefore crucial, as significant changes can signal the need for medical intervention or fluid replacement to address the blood loss. The other options do not typically reflect the body's response to significant blood loss in the same way. For example, elevated blood pressure may not occur with blood loss; instead, blood pressure might actually decrease as blood volume decreases. A decreased respiratory rate is not a typical response to significant blood loss; instead, you might see an increased respiratory rate due to the body’s need for oxygen. Heightened alertness is not a relevant indicator either, as significant blood loss often leads to confusion or lethargy rather than increased alertness.