1
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION Exam 2 Questions
and Answers Latest Versions with Rationales
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Cardia
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> D. Spores
RATIONALE •Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi
and viruses, but do not kill spores and M. Tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to:
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed fingers
C. Fused tarsals
D. Torn ligaments -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Webbed fingers
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Backtable
RATIONALE •Surgical packs should be opened on the backtable.
The islets of langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Insulin
RATIONALE •The islets of langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin,
and pancreatic polypeptide.
, 2
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
C. Extractions
D. Implants -CORRECT ANSWER-> 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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Escherichia coli
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Same side as the surgeon
RATIONALE •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
C. Surgically clean
D. Moistened and dehydrated -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Surgically clean
RATIONALE •The skin is rendered surgically clean when properly performed
surgical scrub is done.
Through which of the following do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct
empty?
A. Ampulla of Vater
B. Duct of Santorini
C. Wirsung's duct
D. Sphincter of Oddi -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Ampulla of Vater
RATIONALE •The pancreatic ducts join at the ampulla and vater
Which of the following identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID
bracelet prior to transporting a patient to the OR?
A. Name, social security number, physician
B. Name, medical record number, allergies
, 3
C. Name, date of birth, diagnosis
D. Name, date of birth, physician -CORRECT ANSWER-> D. Name, date of birth,
physician
RATIONALE •The patient should be identified by name, date of birth, and
physician on their ID bracelet prior to transporting the patient to the OR.
What are spiral-shaped bacteria called?
A. Cocci
B. Bacilli
C. Spirilli
D. Diplococci -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Spirilli
RATIONALE •Spirilli are spiral-shaped bacteria.
The primary function of the gallbladder is to:
A. Store bile
B. Produce bile
C. Emulsify Fats
D. Metabolize fats -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Store bile
RATIONALE •The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed on the small intestine
Which of the following is a non-sterile member of the surgical team?
A. Surgeon
B. Circulator
C. Surgical assistant
D. Surgical technologist -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Circulator
RATIONALE •The circulator is not part of the sterile team. The circulator
performs his/her duties on the periphery of the sterile field
Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface-mounted sliding doors for
access to the operating room?
A. Uses less space for opening
B. Aid in controlling temperature
C. Eliminate air turbulence
D. Provides for thorough cleaning -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Aid in controlling
temperature
RATIONALE •Sliding doors are usually used in the OR because they eliminate air
currents caused by swinging doors, but a disadvantage is they do not aid in
controlling OR temperature.
What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure?
A. Type of procedure, equipment, radiation dose
B. Exposure, frequency, concentration
C. Time, shielding, distance
D. Site, age, gender -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Time, shielding, distance
, 4
RATIONALE •Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is
exposed to the ionizing radiation. Shielding means donning lead aprons and other
lead shield devices for protection from the radiation. Distance means standing as
far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of ionizing radiation.
Which is the first part of the small intestine?
A. Duodenum
B. Jejunum
C. Ileum
D. Cecum -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Duodenum
RATIONALE •The duodenum starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney
surgery?
A. Prone
B. Lateral
C. Supine
D. Lithotomy -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Lateral
RATIONALE •The surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing
kidney surgery is the lateral position with the operative site exposed.
How are rickettsiae transmitted?
A. Arthropod bites
B. Physical contact
C. Blood exposure
D. Airborne organisms -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Arthropod bites
RATIONALE •Most rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasites. They are
usually transmitted by arthropod vectors.
Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular
microscope?
A. Colposcopy
B. Laparoscopy
C. Urethroscopy
D. Hysteroscopy -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Colposcopy
RATIONALE •A binocular microscope is used during an examination of the
vagina called a colposcopy. "Colpo" is a word root that means vagina.
Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called:
A. Tamponade
B. Pericarditis
C. Infarction
D. Cardiomyopathy -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Tamponade
RATIONALE •Tamponade is the compression of the heart due to a collection of
blood or fluid within the pericardium.
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION Exam 2 Questions
and Answers Latest Versions with Rationales
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Cardia
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> D. Spores
RATIONALE •Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi
and viruses, but do not kill spores and M. Tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to:
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed fingers
C. Fused tarsals
D. Torn ligaments -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Webbed fingers
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Backtable
RATIONALE •Surgical packs should be opened on the backtable.
The islets of langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Insulin
RATIONALE •The islets of langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin,
and pancreatic polypeptide.
, 2
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
C. Extractions
D. Implants -CORRECT ANSWER-> 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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Escherichia coli
RATIONALE •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 -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Same side as the surgeon
RATIONALE •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
C. Surgically clean
D. Moistened and dehydrated -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Surgically clean
RATIONALE •The skin is rendered surgically clean when properly performed
surgical scrub is done.
Through which of the following do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct
empty?
A. Ampulla of Vater
B. Duct of Santorini
C. Wirsung's duct
D. Sphincter of Oddi -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Ampulla of Vater
RATIONALE •The pancreatic ducts join at the ampulla and vater
Which of the following identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID
bracelet prior to transporting a patient to the OR?
A. Name, social security number, physician
B. Name, medical record number, allergies
, 3
C. Name, date of birth, diagnosis
D. Name, date of birth, physician -CORRECT ANSWER-> D. Name, date of birth,
physician
RATIONALE •The patient should be identified by name, date of birth, and
physician on their ID bracelet prior to transporting the patient to the OR.
What are spiral-shaped bacteria called?
A. Cocci
B. Bacilli
C. Spirilli
D. Diplococci -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Spirilli
RATIONALE •Spirilli are spiral-shaped bacteria.
The primary function of the gallbladder is to:
A. Store bile
B. Produce bile
C. Emulsify Fats
D. Metabolize fats -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Store bile
RATIONALE •The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed on the small intestine
Which of the following is a non-sterile member of the surgical team?
A. Surgeon
B. Circulator
C. Surgical assistant
D. Surgical technologist -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Circulator
RATIONALE •The circulator is not part of the sterile team. The circulator
performs his/her duties on the periphery of the sterile field
Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface-mounted sliding doors for
access to the operating room?
A. Uses less space for opening
B. Aid in controlling temperature
C. Eliminate air turbulence
D. Provides for thorough cleaning -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Aid in controlling
temperature
RATIONALE •Sliding doors are usually used in the OR because they eliminate air
currents caused by swinging doors, but a disadvantage is they do not aid in
controlling OR temperature.
What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure?
A. Type of procedure, equipment, radiation dose
B. Exposure, frequency, concentration
C. Time, shielding, distance
D. Site, age, gender -CORRECT ANSWER-> C. Time, shielding, distance
, 4
RATIONALE •Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is
exposed to the ionizing radiation. Shielding means donning lead aprons and other
lead shield devices for protection from the radiation. Distance means standing as
far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of ionizing radiation.
Which is the first part of the small intestine?
A. Duodenum
B. Jejunum
C. Ileum
D. Cecum -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Duodenum
RATIONALE •The duodenum starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney
surgery?
A. Prone
B. Lateral
C. Supine
D. Lithotomy -CORRECT ANSWER-> B. Lateral
RATIONALE •The surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing
kidney surgery is the lateral position with the operative site exposed.
How are rickettsiae transmitted?
A. Arthropod bites
B. Physical contact
C. Blood exposure
D. Airborne organisms -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Arthropod bites
RATIONALE •Most rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasites. They are
usually transmitted by arthropod vectors.
Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular
microscope?
A. Colposcopy
B. Laparoscopy
C. Urethroscopy
D. Hysteroscopy -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Colposcopy
RATIONALE •A binocular microscope is used during an examination of the
vagina called a colposcopy. "Colpo" is a word root that means vagina.
Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called:
A. Tamponade
B. Pericarditis
C. Infarction
D. Cardiomyopathy -CORRECT ANSWER-> A. Tamponade
RATIONALE •Tamponade is the compression of the heart due to a collection of
blood or fluid within the pericardium.
