NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION A AND B
2026 EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
Q&A
◉ How do malignant tumors migrate to distant tissues? Answer: Via
lymphatic or vascular systems.
◉ Why is the endocrine system not effective for tumor migration?
Answer: It is generally composed of solid organs.
◉ What is the role of the respiratory system in cancer spread?
Answer: It has only end arteries and is usually an endpoint for
cancer.
◉ For which procedure is Gelfoam most commonly used? Answer:
Myringotomy.
◉ Why is Gelfoam used in myringotomies? Answer: To inhibit
surface bleeding.
◉ What is the receiving nerve end of all transmission? Answer:
Dendrite.
,◉ What do dendrites contain that is crucial for their function?
Answer: Numerous receptors which bind chemical messengers from
other cells.
◉ What is the function of axons in nerve cells? Answer: They propel
information towards another neuron, muscle fiber, or gland cell.
◉ What must occur prior to making the initial incision in surgery?
Answer: A surgical 'time out' must be performed.
◉ What is the purpose of a surgical 'time out'? Answer: To ensure all
necessary checks are completed before surgery begins.
◉ What is the opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes? Answer: The foramen magnum.
◉ What is the foramen of Monro? Answer: The opening between the
third and fourth ventricle of the brain.
◉ What is the significance of the foramen magnum? Answer: It is a
large opening at the base of the skull for the passage of the spinal
cord.
,◉ What is the role of the cell membrane? Answer: It surrounds and
protects the cell.
◉ What is the primary function of Gelfoam in surgical procedures?
Answer: To control bleeding.
◉ What does a surgical 'time out' ensure? Answer: That the surgical
team verifies patient identity, procedure, and site.
◉ What is the primary focus of malignant tumors? Answer: To
migrate from the primary site to distant tissues.
◉ What is the role of the lymphatic system in cancer? Answer: It
allows for the spread of malignant tumors to distant sites.
◉ What is the significance of understanding the anatomy of the
foramen magnum? Answer: It is crucial for understanding spinal
cord protection and neurological function.
◉ What is the foramen rotundum? Answer: An opening in the
sphenoid bone through which the maxillary branch of the trigeminal
nerve passes.
, ◉ What is the foramen of Bochdalek? Answer: A fetal diaphragmatic
opening that may not close completely.
◉ What is the recommended condition for cannulated instruments
during steam sterilization for dynamic air removal? Answer:
Instruments should be dry.
◉ What is the recommended condition for cannulated instruments
during steam sterilization for gravity displacement? Answer:
Instruments should be wet.
◉ Why is it important for dynamic air removal sterilization that
instruments with lumens are dry? Answer: Residual air can interfere
with steam contact.
◉ What should be instilled in the lumen for gravity displacement
sterilization? Answer: A little distilled water to ensure full steam
contact.
◉ What is the primary component of a steam autoclave? Answer:
The chamber, which consists of an inner and outer jacket.
◉ What is the function of the vacuum system in an autoclave?
Answer: It is used for pre-vac sterilization by removing air before
the cycle starts.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION A AND B
2026 EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
Q&A
◉ How do malignant tumors migrate to distant tissues? Answer: Via
lymphatic or vascular systems.
◉ Why is the endocrine system not effective for tumor migration?
Answer: It is generally composed of solid organs.
◉ What is the role of the respiratory system in cancer spread?
Answer: It has only end arteries and is usually an endpoint for
cancer.
◉ For which procedure is Gelfoam most commonly used? Answer:
Myringotomy.
◉ Why is Gelfoam used in myringotomies? Answer: To inhibit
surface bleeding.
◉ What is the receiving nerve end of all transmission? Answer:
Dendrite.
,◉ What do dendrites contain that is crucial for their function?
Answer: Numerous receptors which bind chemical messengers from
other cells.
◉ What is the function of axons in nerve cells? Answer: They propel
information towards another neuron, muscle fiber, or gland cell.
◉ What must occur prior to making the initial incision in surgery?
Answer: A surgical 'time out' must be performed.
◉ What is the purpose of a surgical 'time out'? Answer: To ensure all
necessary checks are completed before surgery begins.
◉ What is the opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes? Answer: The foramen magnum.
◉ What is the foramen of Monro? Answer: The opening between the
third and fourth ventricle of the brain.
◉ What is the significance of the foramen magnum? Answer: It is a
large opening at the base of the skull for the passage of the spinal
cord.
,◉ What is the role of the cell membrane? Answer: It surrounds and
protects the cell.
◉ What is the primary function of Gelfoam in surgical procedures?
Answer: To control bleeding.
◉ What does a surgical 'time out' ensure? Answer: That the surgical
team verifies patient identity, procedure, and site.
◉ What is the primary focus of malignant tumors? Answer: To
migrate from the primary site to distant tissues.
◉ What is the role of the lymphatic system in cancer? Answer: It
allows for the spread of malignant tumors to distant sites.
◉ What is the significance of understanding the anatomy of the
foramen magnum? Answer: It is crucial for understanding spinal
cord protection and neurological function.
◉ What is the foramen rotundum? Answer: An opening in the
sphenoid bone through which the maxillary branch of the trigeminal
nerve passes.
, ◉ What is the foramen of Bochdalek? Answer: A fetal diaphragmatic
opening that may not close completely.
◉ What is the recommended condition for cannulated instruments
during steam sterilization for dynamic air removal? Answer:
Instruments should be dry.
◉ What is the recommended condition for cannulated instruments
during steam sterilization for gravity displacement? Answer:
Instruments should be wet.
◉ Why is it important for dynamic air removal sterilization that
instruments with lumens are dry? Answer: Residual air can interfere
with steam contact.
◉ What should be instilled in the lumen for gravity displacement
sterilization? Answer: A little distilled water to ensure full steam
contact.
◉ What is the primary component of a steam autoclave? Answer:
The chamber, which consists of an inner and outer jacket.
◉ What is the function of the vacuum system in an autoclave?
Answer: It is used for pre-vac sterilization by removing air before
the cycle starts.
