NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026
EXAMINATION TEST COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Which of the following is the wound classification for a
bronchoscopy?
A. Clean
B. Contaminated
C. Dirty & Infected
D. Clean-Contaminated. Answer: D. Clean-Contaminated
•Clean-Contaminated procedures include those when the aero-digestive
tract is entered. The bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into
the bronchial tubes. The procedure is considered clean, not sterile.
⩥ The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract
surgery is:
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin
C. Acetylcholine chloride
D. Pilocarpine hydrochloride. Answer: B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin
•Alpha-Chymotrypsin is a solution used to soften the zonules holding
the lens before cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens.
,⩥ How should the structure be oriented when necessary to use an
elevator to transport a patient to the OR?
A. Place stretcher sideways in elevator
B. Enter head first, exit feet first
C. Position in elevator is irrelevant
D. Enter feet first, exit head first. Answer: B. Enter head first, exit feet
first
•The patient should be placed in the elevator entering head first and exit
feet first when being transported to the OR on the stretcher.
⩥ Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the
lower abdomen frequently used in gynecological surgery?
A. Midline
B. Paramedian
C. McBurney's
D. Pfannenstiel. Answer: D. Pfannenstiel
•Pfannenstiel's incision is a curved transverse incision across the lower
abdomen and used frequently in gynecologic surgery
⩥ When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam
sterilizing cart, they should be positioned:
A. Flat
B. Upside down
C. Vertical
,D. Angled. Answer: A. Flat
•Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed
on the sterilizing cart flat.
⩥ Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of:
A. Calcium
B. Nitrogen
C. Potassium
D. Albumin. Answer: C. Potassium
•Potassium plays four important roles: influences the electrical
excitability of cells; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell
volume; potassium balance is important in maintaining the acid-base
balance; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell metabolism.
Hyperkalemia, an abnormal level of potassium, can be life threatening,
causing cardiac irregularities.
⩥ Which of the following tissues are cut using curved mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall. Answer: 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. Answer: 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:
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed consent. Answer: 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
EXAMINATION TEST COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Which of the following is the wound classification for a
bronchoscopy?
A. Clean
B. Contaminated
C. Dirty & Infected
D. Clean-Contaminated. Answer: D. Clean-Contaminated
•Clean-Contaminated procedures include those when the aero-digestive
tract is entered. The bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into
the bronchial tubes. The procedure is considered clean, not sterile.
⩥ The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract
surgery is:
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin
C. Acetylcholine chloride
D. Pilocarpine hydrochloride. Answer: B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin
•Alpha-Chymotrypsin is a solution used to soften the zonules holding
the lens before cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens.
,⩥ How should the structure be oriented when necessary to use an
elevator to transport a patient to the OR?
A. Place stretcher sideways in elevator
B. Enter head first, exit feet first
C. Position in elevator is irrelevant
D. Enter feet first, exit head first. Answer: B. Enter head first, exit feet
first
•The patient should be placed in the elevator entering head first and exit
feet first when being transported to the OR on the stretcher.
⩥ Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the
lower abdomen frequently used in gynecological surgery?
A. Midline
B. Paramedian
C. McBurney's
D. Pfannenstiel. Answer: D. Pfannenstiel
•Pfannenstiel's incision is a curved transverse incision across the lower
abdomen and used frequently in gynecologic surgery
⩥ When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam
sterilizing cart, they should be positioned:
A. Flat
B. Upside down
C. Vertical
,D. Angled. Answer: A. Flat
•Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed
on the sterilizing cart flat.
⩥ Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of:
A. Calcium
B. Nitrogen
C. Potassium
D. Albumin. Answer: C. Potassium
•Potassium plays four important roles: influences the electrical
excitability of cells; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell
volume; potassium balance is important in maintaining the acid-base
balance; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell metabolism.
Hyperkalemia, an abnormal level of potassium, can be life threatening,
causing cardiac irregularities.
⩥ Which of the following tissues are cut using curved mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall. Answer: 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. Answer: 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:
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed consent. Answer: 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
