Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which preoperative diagnostic exam is quickly completed to confirm ectopic pregnancy?

1. Colposcopy

2. Fluoroscopy

3. Ultrasound

4. MRI

The correct answer is: Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the preferred preoperative diagnostic exam for confirming ectopic pregnancy because it is a non-invasive and readily available imaging technique that can quickly provide critical information about the location of a gestational sac. In cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy, transvaginal ultrasound is particularly effective as it allows for better visualization of the reproductive organs and can help identify the presence of an ectopic mass in the fallopian tube or other sites outside of the uterus. While other imaging methods like MRI provide detailed images, they are not typically used as first-line diagnostics for ectopic pregnancy due to their longer completion time and cost. Fluoroscopy and colposcopy are also not relevant for diagnosing ectopic pregnancies; fluoroscopy is more commonly used for gastrointestinal studies, and colposcopy is used for examining cervical abnormalities. Therefore, the rapid and effective evaluation that ultrasound provides makes it the most suitable choice for confirming ectopic pregnancy in a preoperative setting.