CST study plan

Map the full preoperative workflow from scheduling through transport to the OR suite, sequencing at least 12 discrete steps in order

Differentiate the components of an informed surgical consent and identify who may obtain it and under what conditions

Interpret common preoperative laboratory and diagnostic values (CBC, coagulation studies, electrolytes, urinalysis, imaging) and flag which results warrant surgeon notification

Categorize perioperative risk factors (diabetes, obesity, smoking, immunosuppression, implanted devices, anticoagulant therapy) by the preparation each one demands

Assemble a preoperative patient-identification and allergy-verification checklist that reflects current national patient-safety goals

Explain the rationale and technique for each major surgical skin preparation agent and select the appropriate agent for a given patient sensitivity or procedure site

Describe preoperative hair removal standards and defend why clipping is preferred over shaving

Outline the holding-area handoff, including verification of NPO status, site marking, and presence of required implants or special equipment

State the principles of aseptic technique and identify common breaks in sterile field that occur during case setup

Practice opening a sterile back table and gowning/gloving sequence using a simulated or mental rehearsal, narrating each sterility checkpoint

Classify at least 40 common surgical instruments by name, category, and typical use, and identify them from written descriptions

Distinguish suture materials by absorbable versus non-absorbable, natural versus synthetic, and monofilament versus multifilament, and match needle types to tissue

Describe the counting procedure for sponges, sharps, and instruments, including when counts are performed and the actions taken on a discrepancy

Explain proper handling, labeling, and transfer of surgical specimens from the field to the pathology laboratory

Summarize safety practices for electrosurgery, lasers, and energy devices, including fire-risk prevention and dispersive-pad placement

Describe the surgical technologist's role in maintaining the sterile field during the intraoperative phase, including traffic control and sterile-field boundaries

Explain positioning principles for common surgical positions and identify pressure points and nerve-injury risks for each

Outline the scrub's responsibilities for draping, instrument passing, and anticipation across the three phases of a procedure

Review anesthesia types and the surgical technologist's supportive role during induction and emergence

Identify common intraoperative emergencies and the technologist's immediate response for each

Sequence the immediate postoperative handoff from OR to PACU, listing the information that must be transmitted and received

Describe assessment parameters used in Phase I and Phase II recovery and the discharge criteria applied before transfer or release

Differentiate the signs, risk factors, and first-line interventions for common postoperative complications, including hemorrhage, hypovolemia, hypoxia, malignant hyperthermia, nausea and vomiting, and wound dehiscence

Explain postoperative wound classification, dressing management, and drain care, including which findings require escalation

Outline pain management modalities and the technologist's role in supporting comfort and early mobilization

Trace the handling of a specimen and a culture from intraoperative collection through postoperative reporting and documentation

Describe the elements of perioperative documentation and identify which entries are the surgical technologist's responsibility

Explain the principles of sterile processing from decontamination through sterilization, and state how each sterilization method is monitored

Summarize standard and transmission-based precautions and the technologist's role in infection prevention across the perioperative continuum

List the professional organizations, credentialing requirements, and continuing-education obligations relevant to the surgical technologist

Differentiate the legal concepts of informed consent, negligence, malpractice, battery, and patient confidentiality as they apply to perioperative practice

Describe the scope of practice and the limits of the surgical technologist's role, including delegation and supervision boundaries

Outline quality-improvement and risk-management processes, including incident reporting and root-cause analysis

Explain the ethical obligations of the surgical technologist, including patient advocacy, conflict of interest, and handling of unsafe practice

Draft a job-search plan including résumé elements, interview preparation, and how to evaluate a prospective employer's orientation and continuing-education support

Complete two full-length timed practice examinations under test-day conditions

Rank all four domains by practice-test performance and allocate remaining study hours to the two lowest-scoring areas

Rework every missed item from both practice exams, writing the correct concept in original words

Rehearse test-taking strategy, including flagging and returning to items and managing pacing across the exam

Consolidate all weekly deliverables into a single master review packet for final reading