AST Surgical Technologist Exam Practice 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The term for the process of removing blood from an extremity before inflating the pneumatic tourniquet is exsanguination. This process is crucial in surgical settings where a bloodless surgical field is necessary. By removing the blood, the risk of significant blood loss during the procedure is minimized, and the visibility of the surgical site is improved.

Exsanguination is typically achieved by elevating the limb and using a variety of techniques, such as gentle squeezing or the application of a compression bandage, to encourage venous drainage. After removing the blood, the pneumatic tourniquet can be inflated to occlude the arterial blood flow, thereby maintaining a bloodless field for the duration of the surgery.

The other terms do not accurately describe this specific process. Tourniquet application refers to the act of placing the tourniquet and inflating it but does not encompass the preparatory step of removing blood. Hemostasis pertains to the process of stopping bleeding rather than the removal of blood. Compression may relate to the applied pressure but does not specifically denote the process of exsanguination in this context.