Questions: Question 74. After the certified surgical technologist (CST) finishes the scrub, hands and arms are described as: 1. Washed 2. Sterile 3. Surgically clean 4. Dirty

The answer is the third one (3): surgically clean.

Explanation for each option:

1. Washed: This term simply means that the hands and arms have been cleaned with soap and water, but it does not imply the level of cleanliness required for surgery.
2. Sterile: Sterility means completely free from all microorganisms. While the goal of the surgical scrub is to reduce the number of microorganisms, it does not achieve complete sterility.
3. Surgically clean: This term accurately describes the state of the hands and arms after a surgical scrub. It means that the hands and arms have been cleaned to a level that is appropriate for surgery, significantly reducing the number of microorganisms.
4. Dirty: This term is incorrect as it implies that the hands and arms are contaminated, which is the opposite of the desired outcome after a surgical scrub.

Summary: After the certified surgical technologist (CST) finishes the scrub, hands and arms are described as surgically clean.