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 the primary purpose of using a sterile drape in surgery?

To provide warmth to the patient
To minimize risk of infection
To enhance visibility during surgery
To gather fluids during the procedure

The correct answer is: To minimize risk of infection

The primary purpose of using a sterile drape in surgery is to minimize the risk of infection. Surgical drapes are designed to create a sterile field around the surgical site, which is critical in maintaining a clean environment during an operation. By covering the surrounding areas with sterile drapes, the possibility of pathogens entering the surgical wound is significantly reduced, thus protecting the patient from potential infections. While providing warmth, enhancing visibility, and gathering fluids are relevant considerations in surgical procedures, they are secondary to the primary purpose of infection control. Sterile drapes serve as a barrier to prevent microbial contamination, which is essential for patient safety and successful surgical outcomes.