CSCT study plan

Define the principles of asepsis and map each principle to a specific intraoperative action you would take in the sterile field

Sequence the full surgical hand antisepsis and sterile gowning/gloving routine from memory, writing each step in order without notes

Distinguish sterile, clean, and contaminated zones in a general operating room and state the traffic rules for each

List at least 12 common sterile-field breaks and the corrective action for each

Describe the layers and handling rules of sterile drapes and demonstrate (verbally or in practice) draping sequence for a laparotomy

Compare steam, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide plasma, and dry heat sterilization by parameters, materials, and turnaround time

Explain Spaulding classification and assign at least 15 named instruments or items to critical, semicritical, or noncritical categories

Trace an instrument through decontamination, inspection, packaging, sterilization, and storage, naming the monitoring method used at each stage

Interpret biological, chemical, and mechanical sterilization monitors, stating what each does and does not prove

Identify packaging and loading errors that cause sterilization failure and state the correction for each

Outline preoperative patient preparation: verification of identity, site, consent, NPO status, skin prep, and removal of prosthetics and valuables

Match at least six surgical positions to their indications, key pressure points, and required padding and safety straps

Describe safe patient transfer and positioning devices, including transfer board use, lateral transfer mechanics, and fall precautions

Explain how to prevent positioning injuries: pressure, shear, nerve stretch, and compartment compression, naming at least five at-risk nerves and their vulnerable positions

List the scrub role's intraoperative duties in order, from count before incision through dressing application

Demonstrate anticipating the surgeon's needs by preparing suture, sponges, and suction before request, and describe how to pass instruments safely

State the rules for initial, intraoperative, and closing counts, including what is counted and when counting is mandatory

Describe correct handling, labeling, and chain-of-custody documentation for frozen section, permanent, microbiology, and cytology specimens

Explain the response when a count is incorrect, from recount through intraoperative imaging and documentation

Identify at least eight count-discrepancy risk factors and the prevention step for each

Apply standard precautions to the surgical setting: hand hygiene moments, PPE selection and doffing order, and sharps handling

Explain bloodborne pathogen exposure response, including immediate care, reporting, and post-exposure follow-up steps

Describe environmental cleaning and OR turnover requirements between cases, including terminal cleaning elements

List fire-safety elements of the surgical fire triangle, plus smoke evacuation, laser precautions, and waste segregation rules

Sequence the response to malignant hyperthermia, anaphylaxis, and local anesthetic systemic toxicity, naming first-line drug and equipment for each

Describe emergency preparedness for cardiac arrest in the OR, power failure, and fire evacuation, including role assignments

Apply documentation standards to an intraoperative record: what must be recorded, timeliness, and correction of errors

Analyze at least three ethical scenarios (retained item disclosure, impaired colleague, patient confidentiality in the OR) using a decision framework

Complete a full-length timed practice exam and score each domain separately to identify remaining weak areas

Re-study the two lowest-scoring domains and rewrite your summary notes for each

Recite key numbers from memory: sterilization parameters, count timing, hand hygiene duration, and exposure follow-up timelines

Build a one-page pre-shift rapid-review sheet you can use the week before the exam