Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The process of removing blood from an extremity before inflating a pneumatic tourniquet is known as exsanguination. This technique is crucial in creating a bloodless surgical field, which enables the surgeon to perform the procedure with better visibility and reduced blood loss. During exsanguination, blood is often drained from the affected limb through gravity or by using compression techniques to push the blood towards the torso, ensuring that when the tourniquet is inflated, the majority of the blood within that extremity has been removed. This enhances the overall safety and effectiveness of the procedure by minimizing the risk of complications related to excessive bleeding.

Understanding the terminology helps clarify important surgical processes. Extravasation refers to the leakage of fluid (often from a vessel) into surrounding tissue, which is not applicable in this context. Evisceration describes the removal of inner organs from a body cavity, mainly used in trauma scenarios rather than surgical preparation for tourniquet application. Evacuation can mean the removal of air or fluids but is more commonly associated with drainage procedures and not specifically related to blood removal in this scenario.