NCCT Practice Exam || ACCURACY- CHECKED
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in the OR suite?
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 26%
D. 30% correct answers 20%
Rationale: The current standard for the range of relative humidity in the OR is to be 20 to 60%.
These levels provide comfort for the patient and surgical team, contribute to infection control
and decrease static discharge.
Which of the following is the minimum amount of time an unwrapped Kelly clamp needs to be
flash sterilized for?
A. 6 minutes
B. 3 minutes
C. 7 minutes
D. 12 minutes correct answers 3 minutes
Rationale: The minimum amount of time is 3 minutes.
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. Patient
B. Date
C. Medication
D. Dosage
E. Procedure correct answers Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during
transfer of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
A class II or a clean-contaminated surgical wound enters through where?
A. Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
B. Respiratory, genital, or urinary tract but not GI
C. GI and genital only
D. Respiratory only correct answers Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
Rationale: Class II: Clean Contaminated involves minor break in sterile technique. Controlled
entry to aerodigestive (including biliary tract) or genitourinary tract; this includes respiratory and
GI.
When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with TB, which of the following
sterilization methods should be employed?
,A. Steris
B. Bleach
C. Steam
D. Enzymatic correct answers Steris
Rationale: The Steris is the machine used to clean and rid microorganisms from flexible
endoscopes. Steam sterilization is not compatible with endoscopes because it will damage the
endoscope. Bleach and enzymatic are both disinfectants.
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk for intraoperative hypothermia?
A. 2-year-old undergoing excisional debridement for full-thickness burns
B. 14-year-old undergoing posterior spinal fusion with Harrington Rods
C. 40-year-old undergoing transabdominal laparoscopic nephrectomy
D. 86-year-old undergoing an esophageal dilation for stricture correct answers 2-year-old
undergoing excisional debridement for full-thickness burns
Rationale: Children can lose heat quickly if they're left in a cold room as they can't regulate their
body temperature as well as adults. Focus must be given to keeping the OR rooms at a warmer
temperature, using warmed solutions for IV and irrigations, use of forced warm air devices and
warm blankets to help keep the body temperature of children in a healthy range.
The surgeon is closing skin with the final stitch and all counts are complete. Which of the
following should the surgical technologist have ready for next step? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.)
A. Wet sponge
B. Dry sponge
C. ABD pad
D. Duraprep
E. Cottonoids correct answers Wet sponge, Dry sponge, ABD pad
Rationale: After all counts are done and the incision has been closed, the sterile dressing should
then be opened. The incision needs to be cleaned with a wet sponge then dried with a dry sponge.
The dressing should be applied after the operative site has been cleaned and dried. Duraprep is
an antiseptic to clean the incision site before the surgery. Cottonoids are used to protect delicate
tissue when suctioning and to assist in hemostasis.
Which of the following retractors has sharp disposable inserts that must be disposed of in an
appropriate sharps container following the end of the surgical case?
A. Mayfield
B. Cloward
C. Bookwalter
D. Greenfield correct answers Mayfield
Rationale: The Mayfield is a headrest that pins the head for stabilization. The pins used are very
sharp and must be placed in the sharps container after the procedure. A Cloward is a hand held
retractor used in an anterior cervical procedure. The Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor used
for open abdominal procedure. The Greenfield is a self-retaining retractor used on the brain.
,A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to
extract the uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical technologist
have available to retrieve the uterus?
A. Harmonic scalpel
B. LigaSure
C. Morcellator
D. Enseal correct answers Morcellator
Rationale: Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into
smaller pieces for easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller
incisions and shorter surgery time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving the
uterus because it is used to cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously. LigaSure and Enseal are
used to help seal vessels.
The scheduled case is a prostatectomy. The surgeon has requested chromic gut suture for
reanastomosis. If Chromic gut is unavailable, which of the following sutures is a viable
substitute?
A. Polyester/Dacron
B. Silk
C. Nylon
D. Vicryl correct answers Vicryl
Rationale: The acceptable substitute for a Chromic Gut suture would be a Vicryl suture. Vicryl,
like Chromic Gut, it absorbable and would be the next best choice for reanastomosis in a
prostatectomy.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling
bilaterally. The most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical technologist
forgot to
A. adduct the arm.
B. place the axillary roll.
C. place arm pads.
D. abduct the arm. correct answers place arm pads.
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used
during the lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar
nerve. The arms are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
When returning from lunch in the cafeteria and re-entering the surgical suite, the minimum
amount of time for a surgical hand scrub should be
A. 10 minutes.
B. 3 minutes.
C. 5 minutes.
D. 6 minutes. correct answers 5 minutes.
, Rationale: The initial surgical scrub of the day is 5 minutes, but subsequent scrubs are required
to be 3 minutes in duration - unless the surgical technologist leaves the surgical suite. Anytime
the technologist leaves the suite the hand scrub is 5 minutes, as though it were the first scrub of
the day.
The surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for placement of a dressing following a
mastectomy. The surgical technologist noticed that the patient has developed a hematoma at the
incision site. The surgeon has left the operating room. Which of the following actions should the
surgical technologist take?
A. Apply an ABD dressing.
B. Apply a pressure dressing.
C. Call a code.
D. Ask the surgeon to return. correct answers Ask the surgeon to return.
Rationale: If a hematoma is seen at the incision site the surgeon should be called back to the
room to look at the incision before the dressing is applied: the surgical technologist should not
ignore it and apply dressings. The patient is not is distress, so there is no need to call a code.
A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a Bovie. Which of the
following solutions should the surgical technologist have available in the room for control of
bleeding?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Acetic acid
C. Monsel's solution
D. Collodian correct answers Monsel's solution
Rationale: Monsel's solution is a chemical hemostatic agent, and Collodian is a skin adhesive.
Acetic acid is also known as vinegar which is used to identify areas of abnormal tissue, not for
hemostasis. Lugol's solution is an iodine to stain and disinfect.
The surgical technologist has started breaking down the back table and is disposing of all sharps.
Which of the following is correct practice for disposing sharps?
A. Recap all needles before disposing in sharp container.
B. Remove the needle from the syringe and eject medication out of the syringe
before disposal.
C. Place all sharps in the needle counter and dispose of them in the sharps
container.
D. Recap all needles, place in the needle counter, then dispose of the needle
counter in the sharps container. correct answers Place all sharps in the needle counter and
dispose of them in the sharps container.
Rationale: The surgical technologist should not recap hypodermic needles to prevent needle stick
injuries. When unavoidable a one-handed technique is preferred. Sharps should be placed in a
needle counter then disposed of in a sharps container.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in the OR suite?
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 26%
D. 30% correct answers 20%
Rationale: The current standard for the range of relative humidity in the OR is to be 20 to 60%.
These levels provide comfort for the patient and surgical team, contribute to infection control
and decrease static discharge.
Which of the following is the minimum amount of time an unwrapped Kelly clamp needs to be
flash sterilized for?
A. 6 minutes
B. 3 minutes
C. 7 minutes
D. 12 minutes correct answers 3 minutes
Rationale: The minimum amount of time is 3 minutes.
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. Patient
B. Date
C. Medication
D. Dosage
E. Procedure correct answers Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during
transfer of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
A class II or a clean-contaminated surgical wound enters through where?
A. Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
B. Respiratory, genital, or urinary tract but not GI
C. GI and genital only
D. Respiratory only correct answers Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
Rationale: Class II: Clean Contaminated involves minor break in sterile technique. Controlled
entry to aerodigestive (including biliary tract) or genitourinary tract; this includes respiratory and
GI.
When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with TB, which of the following
sterilization methods should be employed?
,A. Steris
B. Bleach
C. Steam
D. Enzymatic correct answers Steris
Rationale: The Steris is the machine used to clean and rid microorganisms from flexible
endoscopes. Steam sterilization is not compatible with endoscopes because it will damage the
endoscope. Bleach and enzymatic are both disinfectants.
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk for intraoperative hypothermia?
A. 2-year-old undergoing excisional debridement for full-thickness burns
B. 14-year-old undergoing posterior spinal fusion with Harrington Rods
C. 40-year-old undergoing transabdominal laparoscopic nephrectomy
D. 86-year-old undergoing an esophageal dilation for stricture correct answers 2-year-old
undergoing excisional debridement for full-thickness burns
Rationale: Children can lose heat quickly if they're left in a cold room as they can't regulate their
body temperature as well as adults. Focus must be given to keeping the OR rooms at a warmer
temperature, using warmed solutions for IV and irrigations, use of forced warm air devices and
warm blankets to help keep the body temperature of children in a healthy range.
The surgeon is closing skin with the final stitch and all counts are complete. Which of the
following should the surgical technologist have ready for next step? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.)
A. Wet sponge
B. Dry sponge
C. ABD pad
D. Duraprep
E. Cottonoids correct answers Wet sponge, Dry sponge, ABD pad
Rationale: After all counts are done and the incision has been closed, the sterile dressing should
then be opened. The incision needs to be cleaned with a wet sponge then dried with a dry sponge.
The dressing should be applied after the operative site has been cleaned and dried. Duraprep is
an antiseptic to clean the incision site before the surgery. Cottonoids are used to protect delicate
tissue when suctioning and to assist in hemostasis.
Which of the following retractors has sharp disposable inserts that must be disposed of in an
appropriate sharps container following the end of the surgical case?
A. Mayfield
B. Cloward
C. Bookwalter
D. Greenfield correct answers Mayfield
Rationale: The Mayfield is a headrest that pins the head for stabilization. The pins used are very
sharp and must be placed in the sharps container after the procedure. A Cloward is a hand held
retractor used in an anterior cervical procedure. The Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor used
for open abdominal procedure. The Greenfield is a self-retaining retractor used on the brain.
,A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to
extract the uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical technologist
have available to retrieve the uterus?
A. Harmonic scalpel
B. LigaSure
C. Morcellator
D. Enseal correct answers Morcellator
Rationale: Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into
smaller pieces for easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller
incisions and shorter surgery time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving the
uterus because it is used to cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously. LigaSure and Enseal are
used to help seal vessels.
The scheduled case is a prostatectomy. The surgeon has requested chromic gut suture for
reanastomosis. If Chromic gut is unavailable, which of the following sutures is a viable
substitute?
A. Polyester/Dacron
B. Silk
C. Nylon
D. Vicryl correct answers Vicryl
Rationale: The acceptable substitute for a Chromic Gut suture would be a Vicryl suture. Vicryl,
like Chromic Gut, it absorbable and would be the next best choice for reanastomosis in a
prostatectomy.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling
bilaterally. The most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical technologist
forgot to
A. adduct the arm.
B. place the axillary roll.
C. place arm pads.
D. abduct the arm. correct answers place arm pads.
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used
during the lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar
nerve. The arms are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
When returning from lunch in the cafeteria and re-entering the surgical suite, the minimum
amount of time for a surgical hand scrub should be
A. 10 minutes.
B. 3 minutes.
C. 5 minutes.
D. 6 minutes. correct answers 5 minutes.
, Rationale: The initial surgical scrub of the day is 5 minutes, but subsequent scrubs are required
to be 3 minutes in duration - unless the surgical technologist leaves the surgical suite. Anytime
the technologist leaves the suite the hand scrub is 5 minutes, as though it were the first scrub of
the day.
The surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for placement of a dressing following a
mastectomy. The surgical technologist noticed that the patient has developed a hematoma at the
incision site. The surgeon has left the operating room. Which of the following actions should the
surgical technologist take?
A. Apply an ABD dressing.
B. Apply a pressure dressing.
C. Call a code.
D. Ask the surgeon to return. correct answers Ask the surgeon to return.
Rationale: If a hematoma is seen at the incision site the surgeon should be called back to the
room to look at the incision before the dressing is applied: the surgical technologist should not
ignore it and apply dressings. The patient is not is distress, so there is no need to call a code.
A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a Bovie. Which of the
following solutions should the surgical technologist have available in the room for control of
bleeding?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Acetic acid
C. Monsel's solution
D. Collodian correct answers Monsel's solution
Rationale: Monsel's solution is a chemical hemostatic agent, and Collodian is a skin adhesive.
Acetic acid is also known as vinegar which is used to identify areas of abnormal tissue, not for
hemostasis. Lugol's solution is an iodine to stain and disinfect.
The surgical technologist has started breaking down the back table and is disposing of all sharps.
Which of the following is correct practice for disposing sharps?
A. Recap all needles before disposing in sharp container.
B. Remove the needle from the syringe and eject medication out of the syringe
before disposal.
C. Place all sharps in the needle counter and dispose of them in the sharps
container.
D. Recap all needles, place in the needle counter, then dispose of the needle
counter in the sharps container. correct answers Place all sharps in the needle counter and
dispose of them in the sharps container.
Rationale: The surgical technologist should not recap hypodermic needles to prevent needle stick
injuries. When unavoidable a one-handed technique is preferred. Sharps should be placed in a
needle counter then disposed of in a sharps container.
