NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026 TEST
PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
EXAMPREP
⩥ Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during
an appendectomy should be: Answer: Placed in a separate bin
⩥ Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel
resection?. Answer: Allen
⩥ The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: Answer: Re-establish the
negative pressure
⩥ Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: Answer:
Hold the duct open
⩥ The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of
the following types of suture? Answer: Purse-string
⩥ Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy?
Answer: Fogarty
,⩥ A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach?. Answer:
Transurethral
⩥ Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?. Answer: Weitlaner
⩥ What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing?. Answer:
Adaptic
⩥ During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical
technologist should prepare specimens using which method?. Answer:
Placed in separate containers and identify
⩥ Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be
performed on the patient in the operating room?. Answer:
Sigmoidectomy
⩥ When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical
technologist in the scrub role should first notify the:. Answer:
Contaminating team member
⩥ Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has
begun should be counted by the:. Answer: Surgical technologist in the
scrub role and the circulator
,⩥ What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and
neck?. Answer: Rhytidectomy
⩥ Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc
procedure?. Answer: Kerrison
⩥ Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common
ducts?. Answer: Cholangiography
⩥ Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next
instrument needed for the removal of the lamina is a:. Answer: Kerrison
rongeur
⩥ What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a
cardiac emergency?. Answer: Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
⩥ What is used to stabilize a fractured finger?. Answer: Kirschner wires
⩥ During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use
what between the teeth and around the bar?. Answer: 25-gauge or 26-
gauge stainless steel wire
⩥ Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization
of the cervix?. Answer: Lugol's
, ⩥ When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone
damage?. Answer: Irrigation
⩥ Which retractor is used in a C-section?. Answer: De Lee
⩥ A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to:. Answer: Drain the stomach
⩥ Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc?.
Answer: Mediastinoscopy
⩥ The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood
loss as well as:. Answer: Track amount of irrigation used
⩥ Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the
peritoneum. Which layer will be sutured next?. Answer: Fascia
⩥ Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording
the name, amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure?.
Answer: Propofol
⩥ A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight
patient. Which closing supplies should the surgical technologist have
PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
EXAMPREP
⩥ Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during
an appendectomy should be: Answer: Placed in a separate bin
⩥ Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel
resection?. Answer: Allen
⩥ The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: Answer: Re-establish the
negative pressure
⩥ Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: Answer:
Hold the duct open
⩥ The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of
the following types of suture? Answer: Purse-string
⩥ Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy?
Answer: Fogarty
,⩥ A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach?. Answer:
Transurethral
⩥ Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?. Answer: Weitlaner
⩥ What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing?. Answer:
Adaptic
⩥ During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical
technologist should prepare specimens using which method?. Answer:
Placed in separate containers and identify
⩥ Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be
performed on the patient in the operating room?. Answer:
Sigmoidectomy
⩥ When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical
technologist in the scrub role should first notify the:. Answer:
Contaminating team member
⩥ Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has
begun should be counted by the:. Answer: Surgical technologist in the
scrub role and the circulator
,⩥ What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and
neck?. Answer: Rhytidectomy
⩥ Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc
procedure?. Answer: Kerrison
⩥ Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common
ducts?. Answer: Cholangiography
⩥ Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next
instrument needed for the removal of the lamina is a:. Answer: Kerrison
rongeur
⩥ What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a
cardiac emergency?. Answer: Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
⩥ What is used to stabilize a fractured finger?. Answer: Kirschner wires
⩥ During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use
what between the teeth and around the bar?. Answer: 25-gauge or 26-
gauge stainless steel wire
⩥ Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization
of the cervix?. Answer: Lugol's
, ⩥ When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone
damage?. Answer: Irrigation
⩥ Which retractor is used in a C-section?. Answer: De Lee
⩥ A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to:. Answer: Drain the stomach
⩥ Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc?.
Answer: Mediastinoscopy
⩥ The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood
loss as well as:. Answer: Track amount of irrigation used
⩥ Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the
peritoneum. Which layer will be sutured next?. Answer: Fascia
⩥ Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording
the name, amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure?.
Answer: Propofol
⩥ A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight
patient. Which closing supplies should the surgical technologist have
