AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need is met when a patient trusts the surgical team's abilities?

1. Esteem

2. Safety

3. Belongingness

4. Self-actualization

The correct answer is: Safety

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for safety encompasses feelings of security and protection, which includes both physical safety and psychological safety. When a patient trusts the surgical team's abilities, it reflects a perception of safety regarding their health and well-being during a surgical procedure. Trust in the surgical team helps to alleviate fears and anxieties associated with the surgery, allowing the patient to feel more secure in the environment and the skills of those performing the operation. Thus, that sense of trust directly correlates with fulfilling the need for safety, as it indicates that the patient feels confident and safe in the care they are receiving. The other options represent different levels in the hierarchy; esteem addresses feelings of accomplishment and self-worth, belongingness focuses on emotional relationships and connections with others, and self-actualization is about realizing personal potential and self-fulfillment. While these needs are important, they are not primarily met through trust in a surgical team's abilities.