AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a grounding pad in electrosurgery?

1. To provide a sterile field

2. To absorb excess heat

3. To prevent burns by dispersing electrical current

4. To amplify the electrical signal

The correct answer is: To prevent burns by dispersing electrical current

The primary purpose of a grounding pad in electrosurgery is to prevent burns by dispersing electrical current. During electrosurgery, electrical currents are used to cut or coagulate tissue. When these currents flow through the body, it's essential to safely redirect them back to the electrosurgical unit to minimize the risk of thermal injury to the patient. The grounding pad, also known as a return electrode, is placed on the patient’s skin and is designed to spread out the electrical current over a larger surface area. This reduces the likelihood of concentrated heat build-up, which could cause burns at the site of the electrode or tissue damage elsewhere in the body. While other options touch on different aspects of surgical safety, they do not directly align with the primary function of a grounding pad. For instance, providing a sterile field is crucial for preventing infection, and absorbing excess heat might imply the pad has a cooling function, neither of which are specific to the grounding pad's role. Similarly, amplifying the electrical signal is unrelated, as the grounding pad's purpose is about safely managing electrical current, rather than enhancing it.