Which of the following is a postoperative task for a CST?

Maintaining a sterile field until the patient is taken from the operating room is indeed a key postoperative task for a surgical technologist (CST). This responsibility ensures that the sterile environment remains intact, minimizing the risk of infection as the surgical team completes the procedure and prepares to transfer the patient safely. After surgery, the CST plays a crucial role in protecting the integrity of the surgical site—keeping it sterile is vital to patient safety.

In contrast, back table setup and instrument sterilization are primarily preoperative tasks. The setup involves arranging surgical instruments and materials prior to the procedure to facilitate efficient and safe surgical work. Similarly, instrument sterilization occurs before the surgery begins to ensure that all instruments are free of contaminants. Charting patient vitals, while an important aspect of patient care, is typically handled by nursing staff rather than a CST, making it less relevant to the specific duties of a surgical technologist in the postoperative phase.