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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Which suture material would be used in the presence of infection?

Polyglycolic acid
Silk
Chromic gut
Steel

The correct answer is: Steel

In the presence of infection, using steel suture material is advantageous because it is non-absorbable, inert, and provides excellent tensile strength. Steel sutures are resistant to the inflammatory processes that accompany infection and do not harbor bacteria like some other materials might. This makes them suitable for situations where cleanliness and stability are crucial, especially when tissue healing may be compromised due to infection. Other suture materials, such as polyglycolic acid (a synthetic absorbable suture) and chromic gut (a natural absorbable suture), may not hold up as effectively in infected tissues since they can be broken down by the presence of bacteria and enzymes released during the inflammatory response. Silk, while also strong, is a natural material that can promote bacterial colonization and is less ideal in infected scenarios. Overall, steel sutures offer a reliable option in contaminated surgical environments.