NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION A AND B
2026 EXAMINATION TEST FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ What does the histology department analyze? Answer: Tissue.
◉ What does the laboratory manage? Answer: Blood products
and/or medication orders.
◉ What is the proper procedure for the care of a patient's dentures
after removal in the OR? Answer: Place them in a labeled cup and
keep them with the patient's chart.
◉ What could happen if dentures are returned to the patient's unit
without proper labeling? Answer: They may be lost in transit or not
returned to the correct room.
◉ What special equipment should be available during laser removal
of condyloma acuminata? Answer: A smoke evacuator.
,◉ Why is a smoke evacuator necessary during laser procedures?
Answer: Smoke plume can contain intact or fragmented bacteria and
viruses, posing a risk of disease transmission.
◉ What is the function of suction tips in surgical procedures?
Answer: They help in removing plume but are not an effective safety
measure against transmissible diseases.
◉ What is a pulse lavage used for? Answer: It is utilized during
irrigation or incision and debridement.
◉ What is the consequence of not having a watertight seal in
surgical anastomoses? Answer: It can lead to peritonitis.
◉ What happens if dentures are wrapped in a paper towel after
removal? Answer: They could get lost or thrown away without a
label.
◉ What is the risk associated with smoke plume during laser
surgery? Answer: It may transmit disease due to the presence of
bacteria and viruses.
◉ What should be done with dentures to ensure they are returned
to the correct patient? Answer: They should be placed in a labeled
cup and kept with the patient's chart.
,◉ What is the role of the circulator during surgery regarding patient
items? Answer: The circulator should not leave the OR to return
items to the patient's room during surgery.
◉ What is the maximum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 25 per hour.
◉ What is the minimum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 15 per hour.
◉ What does the pathology department do with specimens from
surgery? Answer: Receives all tissue samples and other specimens.
◉ What is the purpose of a smoke evacuator? Answer: To remove
smoke at a rate of 100 to 150 feet per minute at the site of
generation.
◉ What is the risk of using suction tips for smoke removal? Answer:
They are not effective against possible transmissible diseases.
◉ What should be done if there is uncertainty about handling a
specimen? Answer: Consult the pathology department.
, ◉ What is the purpose of an endo-catch bag? Answer: It is used for
minimal invasive abdominal cases.
◉ Which incision is BEST for sigmoid surgery? Answer: Vertical
paramedian incision.
◉ What is the use of vertical midline incisions? Answer: They can be
used for abdominal procedures for trauma.
◉ What type of incision is excellent for sigmoid surgery? Answer:
Lower left paramedian incisions.
◉ What ions do the kidneys help regulate? Answer: Sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
◉ What is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling
bleeding from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? Answer: A
pledget.
◉ What does a pledget do in surgical procedures? Answer: It is a
small square of Teflon sutured over a hole in a vessel to exert
external pressure and promote clotting.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION A AND B
2026 EXAMINATION TEST FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ What does the histology department analyze? Answer: Tissue.
◉ What does the laboratory manage? Answer: Blood products
and/or medication orders.
◉ What is the proper procedure for the care of a patient's dentures
after removal in the OR? Answer: Place them in a labeled cup and
keep them with the patient's chart.
◉ What could happen if dentures are returned to the patient's unit
without proper labeling? Answer: They may be lost in transit or not
returned to the correct room.
◉ What special equipment should be available during laser removal
of condyloma acuminata? Answer: A smoke evacuator.
,◉ Why is a smoke evacuator necessary during laser procedures?
Answer: Smoke plume can contain intact or fragmented bacteria and
viruses, posing a risk of disease transmission.
◉ What is the function of suction tips in surgical procedures?
Answer: They help in removing plume but are not an effective safety
measure against transmissible diseases.
◉ What is a pulse lavage used for? Answer: It is utilized during
irrigation or incision and debridement.
◉ What is the consequence of not having a watertight seal in
surgical anastomoses? Answer: It can lead to peritonitis.
◉ What happens if dentures are wrapped in a paper towel after
removal? Answer: They could get lost or thrown away without a
label.
◉ What is the risk associated with smoke plume during laser
surgery? Answer: It may transmit disease due to the presence of
bacteria and viruses.
◉ What should be done with dentures to ensure they are returned
to the correct patient? Answer: They should be placed in a labeled
cup and kept with the patient's chart.
,◉ What is the role of the circulator during surgery regarding patient
items? Answer: The circulator should not leave the OR to return
items to the patient's room during surgery.
◉ What is the maximum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 25 per hour.
◉ What is the minimum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 15 per hour.
◉ What does the pathology department do with specimens from
surgery? Answer: Receives all tissue samples and other specimens.
◉ What is the purpose of a smoke evacuator? Answer: To remove
smoke at a rate of 100 to 150 feet per minute at the site of
generation.
◉ What is the risk of using suction tips for smoke removal? Answer:
They are not effective against possible transmissible diseases.
◉ What should be done if there is uncertainty about handling a
specimen? Answer: Consult the pathology department.
, ◉ What is the purpose of an endo-catch bag? Answer: It is used for
minimal invasive abdominal cases.
◉ Which incision is BEST for sigmoid surgery? Answer: Vertical
paramedian incision.
◉ What is the use of vertical midline incisions? Answer: They can be
used for abdominal procedures for trauma.
◉ What type of incision is excellent for sigmoid surgery? Answer:
Lower left paramedian incisions.
◉ What ions do the kidneys help regulate? Answer: Sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
◉ What is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling
bleeding from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? Answer: A
pledget.
◉ What does a pledget do in surgical procedures? Answer: It is a
small square of Teflon sutured over a hole in a vessel to exert
external pressure and promote clotting.
