NBSTSA CST Certification Exam Complete Study Guide,
Surgical Technologist Practice Questions and Answers,
NCLEX-Style Review, Certified Surgical Technologist Exam
Prep, High-Yield Operating Room Concepts, and Pass-The-
First-Time Certification Resource
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. To sterilize the hands completely
B. To remove transient flora and reduce resident flora
C. To apply antimicrobial agents permanently
D. To prevent sweating during the procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To remove transient flora and reduce resident flora
Rationale: The surgical scrub mechanically removes debris and transient microorganisms while
reducing the resident flora count to a minimal level, but it does not sterilize the skin.
Question 2: What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a total hip arthroplasty?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lateral
D. Lithotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lateral
Rationale: The lateral position provides optimal access to the hip joint for replacement
procedures, allowing proper alignment and exposure of the surgical site.
Question 3: Which instrument is specifically designed to retract the liver during a
cholecystectomy?
A. Balfour retractor
B. Harrington retractor
C. Army-Navy retractor
D. Gelpi retractor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Harrington retractor
Rationale: The Harrington retractor is a wide, blunt retractor commonly used to hold back the
liver during upper abdominal surgeries like cholecystectomies.
Question 4: What is the standard temperature for steam sterilization at 15 psi?
,A. 250°F (121°C)
B. 270°F (132°C)
C. 285°F (140°C)
D. 300°F (149°C)
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 250°F (121°C)
Rationale: Steam sterilization at 15 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure typically requires a
temperature of 250°F (121°C) for effective microbial destruction.
Question 5: Which suture material is absorbable and synthetic?
A. Silk
B. Chromic gut
C. Polyglactin 910
D. Nylon
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Polyglactin 910
Rationale: Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) is a synthetic absorbable suture, whereas silk and chromic gut
are natural, and nylon is synthetic non-absorbable.
Question 6: During a craniotomy, which instrument is used to remove bone fragments?
A. Kerrison rongeur
B. Penfield dissector
C. Gigli saw
D. Cloward drill
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Kerrison rongeur
Rationale: The Kerrison rongeur is designed to bite and remove small pieces of bone during
neurosurgical procedures like laminectomies or craniotomies.
Question 7: What is the primary function of the electrosurgical unit (ESU) grounding pad?
A. To enhance the cutting effect
B. To prevent alternate site burns
C. To sterilize the surgical field
D. To monitor patient heart rate
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. To prevent alternate site burns
Rationale: The grounding pad (return electrode) completes the electrical circuit and disperses
the current safely, preventing burns at unintended contact points.
Question 8: Which layer of the sterile drape is fluid-resistant?
A. The top layer
B. The middle layer
C. The bottom layer
D. All layers are equally resistant
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The top layer
Rationale: Sterile drapes are designed with a fluid-resistant top layer to prevent strike-through
contamination from fluids pooling on the surface.
Question 9: What is the correct sequence for donning sterile gloves using the open method?
A. Dominant hand first, then nondominant
B. Nondominant hand first, then dominant
C. Both hands simultaneously
D. Order does not matter
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Nondominant hand first, then dominant
Rationale: Donning the nondominant hand first allows the already gloved dominant hand to
assist in pulling the second glove over the cuff without contamination.
Question 10: Which medication is commonly used to reverse the effects of heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Calcium chloride
D. Epinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin to form a stable salt, effectively neutralizing its
anticoagulant properties.
Question 11: What is the name of the membrane that surrounds the heart?
, A. Pleura
B. Pericardium
C. Peritoneum
D. Periosteum
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pericardium
Rationale: The pericardium is the double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the
great vessels.
Question 12: Which type of wound healing involves closure with sutures?
A. Primary intention
B. Secondary intention
C. Tertiary intention
D. Delayed primary intention
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Primary intention
Rationale: Primary intention healing occurs when wound edges are approximated closely,
typically with sutures, staples, or glue, minimizing scar tissue.
Question 13: What is the preferred sterilization method for heat-sensitive instruments?
A. Steam autoclave
B. Ethylene oxide gas
C. Flash sterilization
D. Boiling water
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ethylene oxide gas
Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization is effective at low temperatures, making it
suitable for heat-sensitive and moisture-sensitive items.
Question 14: Which artery is commonly used for taking a pulse during CPR?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Brachial
D. Femoral
Surgical Technologist Practice Questions and Answers,
NCLEX-Style Review, Certified Surgical Technologist Exam
Prep, High-Yield Operating Room Concepts, and Pass-The-
First-Time Certification Resource
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. To sterilize the hands completely
B. To remove transient flora and reduce resident flora
C. To apply antimicrobial agents permanently
D. To prevent sweating during the procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To remove transient flora and reduce resident flora
Rationale: The surgical scrub mechanically removes debris and transient microorganisms while
reducing the resident flora count to a minimal level, but it does not sterilize the skin.
Question 2: What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a total hip arthroplasty?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lateral
D. Lithotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lateral
Rationale: The lateral position provides optimal access to the hip joint for replacement
procedures, allowing proper alignment and exposure of the surgical site.
Question 3: Which instrument is specifically designed to retract the liver during a
cholecystectomy?
A. Balfour retractor
B. Harrington retractor
C. Army-Navy retractor
D. Gelpi retractor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Harrington retractor
Rationale: The Harrington retractor is a wide, blunt retractor commonly used to hold back the
liver during upper abdominal surgeries like cholecystectomies.
Question 4: What is the standard temperature for steam sterilization at 15 psi?
,A. 250°F (121°C)
B. 270°F (132°C)
C. 285°F (140°C)
D. 300°F (149°C)
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 250°F (121°C)
Rationale: Steam sterilization at 15 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure typically requires a
temperature of 250°F (121°C) for effective microbial destruction.
Question 5: Which suture material is absorbable and synthetic?
A. Silk
B. Chromic gut
C. Polyglactin 910
D. Nylon
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Polyglactin 910
Rationale: Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) is a synthetic absorbable suture, whereas silk and chromic gut
are natural, and nylon is synthetic non-absorbable.
Question 6: During a craniotomy, which instrument is used to remove bone fragments?
A. Kerrison rongeur
B. Penfield dissector
C. Gigli saw
D. Cloward drill
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Kerrison rongeur
Rationale: The Kerrison rongeur is designed to bite and remove small pieces of bone during
neurosurgical procedures like laminectomies or craniotomies.
Question 7: What is the primary function of the electrosurgical unit (ESU) grounding pad?
A. To enhance the cutting effect
B. To prevent alternate site burns
C. To sterilize the surgical field
D. To monitor patient heart rate
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. To prevent alternate site burns
Rationale: The grounding pad (return electrode) completes the electrical circuit and disperses
the current safely, preventing burns at unintended contact points.
Question 8: Which layer of the sterile drape is fluid-resistant?
A. The top layer
B. The middle layer
C. The bottom layer
D. All layers are equally resistant
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The top layer
Rationale: Sterile drapes are designed with a fluid-resistant top layer to prevent strike-through
contamination from fluids pooling on the surface.
Question 9: What is the correct sequence for donning sterile gloves using the open method?
A. Dominant hand first, then nondominant
B. Nondominant hand first, then dominant
C. Both hands simultaneously
D. Order does not matter
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Nondominant hand first, then dominant
Rationale: Donning the nondominant hand first allows the already gloved dominant hand to
assist in pulling the second glove over the cuff without contamination.
Question 10: Which medication is commonly used to reverse the effects of heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Calcium chloride
D. Epinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin to form a stable salt, effectively neutralizing its
anticoagulant properties.
Question 11: What is the name of the membrane that surrounds the heart?
, A. Pleura
B. Pericardium
C. Peritoneum
D. Periosteum
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pericardium
Rationale: The pericardium is the double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the
great vessels.
Question 12: Which type of wound healing involves closure with sutures?
A. Primary intention
B. Secondary intention
C. Tertiary intention
D. Delayed primary intention
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Primary intention
Rationale: Primary intention healing occurs when wound edges are approximated closely,
typically with sutures, staples, or glue, minimizing scar tissue.
Question 13: What is the preferred sterilization method for heat-sensitive instruments?
A. Steam autoclave
B. Ethylene oxide gas
C. Flash sterilization
D. Boiling water
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ethylene oxide gas
Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization is effective at low temperatures, making it
suitable for heat-sensitive and moisture-sensitive items.
Question 14: Which artery is commonly used for taking a pulse during CPR?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Brachial
D. Femoral
