Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

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Study for the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for acing the exam!

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What is a primary goal of surgical asepsis?

  1. Minimize patient discomfort

  2. Prevent infection

  3. Promote healing

  4. Enhance recovery time

The correct answer is: Prevent infection

The primary goal of surgical asepsis is to prevent infection during surgical procedures. This practice is foundational in the operating room and is critical for patient safety. By maintaining a sterile environment and utilizing sterile techniques, surgical teams can eliminate or significantly reduce the presence of microorganisms that may lead to infections. While minimizing patient discomfort, promoting healing, and enhancing recovery time are important aspects of surgical care, they are secondary outcomes that can be influenced by the effective implementation of surgical asepsis. However, without infection control, these goals could be compromised. An infection can lead to complications such as prolonged hospitalization, additional surgeries, or further medical interventions, all of which affect a patient's overall recovery and comfort. Therefore, preventing infection is the paramount objective in surgical settings, establishing a safe environment for procedures and promoting better health outcomes for patients.