CST key terms

The patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after being told its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives, documented by signature. The surgeon obtains it; staff verify it is present and complete.

Nothing by mouth. The period before surgery during which a patient must not eat or drink, reducing the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during anesthesia.

A durable mark the surgeon places on the patient's skin at the exact operative site before surgery, so the correct side and location are confirmed even after the patient is sedated.

Cleaning the operative area with an antiseptic solution and letting it dry to reduce skin bacteria before draping. The prep begins at the incision and moves outward.

The scrub done before donning a sterile gown and gloves: washing hands and forearms with an antimicrobial agent for a set contact time to reduce resident and transient skin bacteria.

A standardized verification list completed before surgery covering identity, procedure, site, consent, allergies, NPO status, implants, and blood availability, so nothing critical is missed.

A six-level scale (I through VI) that an anesthesia provider uses to grade a patient's overall health and surgical risk, from healthy to brain-dead organ donor.

An antibiotic given shortly before the incision, timed so tissue levels peak during surgery, to prevent surgical site infection. Redosing may be needed for long cases or major blood loss.

A brief pause just before the incision in which the whole team verbally confirms patient identity, procedure, site, positioning, and special requirements, all agreeing before surgery starts.

The area of the back table, Mayo stand, and draped patient considered free of microorganisms. Only sterile items and personnel in sterile attire may contact it.

The technique for putting on a sterile surgical gown and gloves without touching the outside of either, keeping the hands and arms inside the sterile zone throughout.

A small, height-adjustable stainless table placed over or beside the patient that holds the instruments the surgeon will need first during the case.

A large covered table behind the scrub person where the full instrument set, supplies, and solutions are organized and kept sterile for the duration of the procedure.

The documented tally of sponges, sharps, and instruments done at the start of the case and before the patient leaves the room, repeated until all items are accounted for.

Use of high-frequency electrical current through a handpiece to cut tissue or seal blood vessels. The patient needs a return electrode pad so current exits the body safely.

Stopping or preventing bleeding by mechanical means such as pressure, clamps, ligatures, or cautery, and by chemical agents. Maintaining it keeps the field visible and limits blood loss.

A tube or strip placed to let blood, serum, or pus leave a wound or body cavity. Drains may be open, closed, or suction, and are secured and labeled.

Tissue or fluid removed during surgery that must go to pathology. It is handled with sterile technique, placed in the correct container and fixative, and labeled with patient identifiers.

A designated area, such as a basin or tray, where the surgeon and scrub person set down and pick up sharp instruments instead of passing them hand to hand, reducing needlestick injuries.

The vapor and particles produced by electrosurgery or lasers. It is evacuated with a smoke evacuator because it can carry bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals.

A rare, inherited, life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic gases and muscle relaxants marked by rising temperature, rigid muscles, and fast heart rate; it is treated with dantrolene.

Placing and securing the patient on the operating table in the position the procedure requires, while padding pressure points, protecting nerves, and keeping the airway and circulation safe.

An unintended drop in core body temperature during surgery caused by anesthesia, cool rooms, and open cavities. It is prevented with warm blankets, forced-air warmers, and warmed fluids.

Any contact between a sterile item and a nonsterile surface, or reasonable suspicion of such contact. The item is then considered contaminated and must be replaced or the area redraped.

Postanesthesia care unit, where the patient goes immediately after surgery for close monitoring of breathing, circulation, temperature, pain, and surgical sites until safely recovered from anesthesia.

A numeric scale used in the recovery room that rates activity, breathing, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to decide when a patient is ready to leave.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting, a common complication of anesthesia and surgery that can delay discharge and raise the risk of dehydration, aspiration, and strain on the incision.

An infection in the wound area occurring within about 30 days of surgery, or up to a year if an implant is placed, ranging from superficial redness to deep organ involvement.

Separation of the edges of a surgical incision before it has healed, often signaled by a sudden gush of pink fluid or the wound opening. It may require surgical reclosure.

A surgical emergency in which abdominal organs protrude through a completely opened incision. The patient is kept NPO and the wound is covered with sterile moist dressings.

A blood clot forming in a deep leg or pelvic vein after surgery because of immobility and changes in clotting. Prevention includes early ambulation, compression devices, and anticoagulant drugs.

A structured verbal and written transfer of patient information, often using SBAR, given when care moves from the operating room team to the recovery room nurse, covering procedure, medications, and concerns.

The internal standard that makes a technologist do the right thing, such as replacing a contaminated glove or reporting a count discrepancy, even when nobody else is watching.

Infection-control practices applied to every patient, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and safe sharps handling, because any patient may carry an infection.

A federal rule requiring employers to protect workers from blood and other potentially infectious material through exposure control plans, hepatitis B vaccination, protective equipment, and post-exposure follow-up.

The tasks and responsibilities a surgical technologist is legally allowed to perform, defined by state law, facility policy, and professional standards, and limited by education and certification.

The three elements needed for an operating room fire: an oxidizer such as oxygen, a fuel such as drapes or hair, and a heat source such as electrosurgery. Removing any one prevents or extinguishes it.

An unexpected occurrence in healthcare that causes death or serious harm, such as wrong-site surgery or a retained foreign object, and that triggers immediate investigation and reporting.

The process of verifying a practitioner's education, licensure, training, and competence so the facility can grant privileges; for technologists it often includes certification maintenance and background checks.