Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a type of passive drain?

1. Penrose

2. Hemovac

3. Jackson Pratt

4. Pleur evac

The correct answer is: Penrose

A Penrose drain is classified as a type of passive drain. It functions by allowing fluid to flow out of a wound through gravity and capillary action. The Penrose drain is a soft and flexible tube, which is typically placed within a wound or surgical site to prevent fluid accumulation. It relies on the surrounding tissue and gravity to facilitate the drainage process, without any negative pressure suction. In contrast, the other options listed are examples of active or closed drainage systems that utilize suction to remove fluids. The Hemovac and Jackson Pratt drains employ a vacuum mechanism to actively draw fluids out of a surgical site, providing a controlled method of drainage. The Pleur evac is specifically designed for thoracic drainage and operates similarly by using suction to evacuate air or fluid from the pleural space. Understanding the differences between these types of drains is essential for proper surgical wound management.