1
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION Exam Practice
Questions and Correct Answers Plus
Rationales 2026
Which of the following tissues are cut using curved mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall - ANSWERS>>A Fascia
•Curved mayo scissors are large scissors, with thick blades used to cut
tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and muscle.
Which laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating
them?
A. Argon
B. Excimer
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Neodymium: YAG - ANSWERS>>A Argon
•The argon laser beam can travel through clear fluids and
tissues. Permission for treatment given with full knowledge
of the risks is a/an:
!
, 2
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed consent - ANSWERS>>D Informed consent
•informed consent must be obtained from the patient before any
invasive procedure can be performed. It protects the patient because
it verifies that he/she understands the condition to be treated and the
intervention to be performed.
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal
sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum - ANSWERS>>A Cardia
•The cardia is the portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior
opening of the stomach.
Low-level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Spores - ANSWERS>>D Spores
•Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi
and viruses, but do not kill spores and M. Tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to:
!
, 3
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed fingers
C. Fused tarsals
D. Torn ligaments - ANSWERS>>B Webbed fingers
•Webbing of the digits is syndactyly
The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on
the:
A. Stretcher
B. OR table
C. Backtable
D. Mayo stand - ANSWERS>>C Backtable
•Surgical packs should be opened on the
backtable. The islets of langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones - ANSWERS>>B Insulin
• The
islets of langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin,
and pancreatic polypeptide.
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
!
, 4
C. Extractions
D. Implants - ANSWERS>>C The removal of a tooth or teeth is an
extraction procedure. The resection of the soft tissue and excision
of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal is called
odontectomy.
Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Clostridium tetani - ANSWERS>>A Escherichia coli
•Escherichia coli is a gram-negative rod that is part of the normal
flora of the intestinal tract of humans and is also an opportunistic
bacteria.
Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when
handing towels to the surgeon to square off an incision site?
A. Opposite side from surgeon
B. Same side as surgeon
C. Foot of OR bed
D. Head of OR table - ANSWERS>>B Same side as the surgeon
•When using four towels for squaring off the incision site, the first
towel will be passed when standing on the same side as the surgeon.
A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin:
A. Sterile
B. Disinfected
!
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION Exam Practice
Questions and Correct Answers Plus
Rationales 2026
Which of the following tissues are cut using curved mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall - ANSWERS>>A Fascia
•Curved mayo scissors are large scissors, with thick blades used to cut
tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and muscle.
Which laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating
them?
A. Argon
B. Excimer
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Neodymium: YAG - ANSWERS>>A Argon
•The argon laser beam can travel through clear fluids and
tissues. Permission for treatment given with full knowledge
of the risks is a/an:
!
, 2
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed consent - ANSWERS>>D Informed consent
•informed consent must be obtained from the patient before any
invasive procedure can be performed. It protects the patient because
it verifies that he/she understands the condition to be treated and the
intervention to be performed.
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal
sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum - ANSWERS>>A Cardia
•The cardia is the portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior
opening of the stomach.
Low-level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Spores - ANSWERS>>D Spores
•Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi
and viruses, but do not kill spores and M. Tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to:
!
, 3
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed fingers
C. Fused tarsals
D. Torn ligaments - ANSWERS>>B Webbed fingers
•Webbing of the digits is syndactyly
The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on
the:
A. Stretcher
B. OR table
C. Backtable
D. Mayo stand - ANSWERS>>C Backtable
•Surgical packs should be opened on the
backtable. The islets of langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones - ANSWERS>>B Insulin
• The
islets of langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin,
and pancreatic polypeptide.
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
!
, 4
C. Extractions
D. Implants - ANSWERS>>C The removal of a tooth or teeth is an
extraction procedure. The resection of the soft tissue and excision
of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal is called
odontectomy.
Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Clostridium tetani - ANSWERS>>A Escherichia coli
•Escherichia coli is a gram-negative rod that is part of the normal
flora of the intestinal tract of humans and is also an opportunistic
bacteria.
Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when
handing towels to the surgeon to square off an incision site?
A. Opposite side from surgeon
B. Same side as surgeon
C. Foot of OR bed
D. Head of OR table - ANSWERS>>B Same side as the surgeon
•When using four towels for squaring off the incision site, the first
towel will be passed when standing on the same side as the surgeon.
A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin:
A. Sterile
B. Disinfected
!
