Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which surgical team member is responsible for setting up the sterile field?

1. Surgical first assistant

2. Surgical technologist

3. Circulating nurse

4. Surgeon

The correct answer is: Surgical technologist

The surgical technologist plays a crucial role in the operating room, particularly in establishing and maintaining the sterile field. This responsibility entails preparing all necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment prior to the start of the procedure, ensuring that everything needed for surgery is organized and easily accessible. The sterile field is an area free from all microorganisms, and maintaining it is paramount for preventing infection during surgery. The surgical technologist prepares the sterile field by opening sterile drapes, placing instruments in a sterile manner, and ensuring that all items are appropriately arranged and within reach of the surgeon and surgical team. While other team members have important responsibilities, they do not typically involve directly setting up the sterile field. The circulating nurse, for instance, manages the overall environment of the operating room and ensures that everything runs smoothly but does not directly prepare the sterile field. The surgeon and surgical first assistant focus more on the surgical procedure itself, with the surgeon primarily leading the operation and the first assistant providing support during the surgery.