AST Surgical Technologist Exam Practice 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The term that best describes the type of skin prep for an entire extremity is "circumferential." This term indicates that the preparation involves surrounding or encircling the entire area, which is essential for ensuring that the entire surface of the extremity is free of contaminants and ready for surgical procedures.

In surgical practice, a circumferential skin prep is critical because it ensures that all potential sites of infection are addressed, and it provides comprehensive coverage against skin flora that could lead to postoperative complications. This approach is often used for surgeries involving limbs where it's crucial to prepare the entire extremity thoroughly.

The other terms have different meanings: "local" generally refers to prep that is focused on a specific site or area, "segmental" suggests that only a part or segment of the extremity is prepped, and "targeted" implies preparation that is directed towards particular areas or concerns, rather than encompassing the whole extremity. Thus, circumferential is the most appropriate term for this context.