NCCT SURGICAL TECH EXAM WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
The surgical technologist is opening for a procedure and notices the
wrapped item she just opened has a hole in the outer layer. Which of the
following is the proper course of action?
Open the inner layer onto the sterile field.
Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
Check the indicator to ensure the item has been sterilized.
Place the package on a prep stand and open away from the sterile field.
- CORRECT ANSWER- Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
Rationale: If the integrity of the package has been compromised, it
should not be taken on the sterile field. When in doubt throw it out and
get a new one. If the package has a hole it should never be used. If it
was taken onto the sterile field it would contaminate the whole field.
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general
anesthesia for a right hip arthroplasty. Which of the following will best
help to prevent perioperative positioning injuries?
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. -
CORRECT ANSWER- Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently
padded.
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if
bony prominences are not cushioned and protected from the hard
surface of the operating room table. Their skin is delicate and fragile due
to their age, and other conditions such as diabetes, or poor circulation.
,Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the
surgical technologist should verify which of the following? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER- Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the
circulator prior to obtaining medication. Expiration date, name of
medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer of
medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication
errors.
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee
arthroscopy. As the surgeon takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical
technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a plume of smoke is
seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most
likely source of this smoke?
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - CORRECT ANSWER- The light
source was left on and the drape is igniting.
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper
drape, would be where the smoke plume was coming from because of
the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable liquids and
would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be
the source of the heat since it's not working properly.
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the
surgical technologist should verify which of the following? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
,Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER- Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the
circulator prior to obtaining medication. Expiration date, name of
medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer of
medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication
errors.
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee
arthroscopy. As the surgeon takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical
technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a plume of smoke is
seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most
likely source of this smoke?
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - CORRECT ANSWER- The light
source was left on and the drape is igniting.
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper
drape, would be where the smoke plume was coming from because of
the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable liquids and
would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be
the source of the heat since it's not working properly.
When sterilizing an unwrapped, non-porous item with no lumen in an
immediate use sterilization unit, which of the following parameters must
be met for sterilization with gravity displacement steam? (Select the two
(2) correct answers.)
3-4 minute exposure time
270o F
10 minute exposure time
132o F
4 minute drying time - CORRECT ANSWER- 3-4 minute exposure
time, 270F
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is performing an induction on a
known asthmatic patient. The patient experiences a laryngospasm
during intubation. The patient's oxygen saturation is 65%. The scrubbed
surgical technologist should
, prepare for a tracheostomy.
prepare the machine for positive pressure ventilation of the airway.
prepare for a laryngoscopy.
hold cricoid pressure. - CORRECT ANSWER- prepare for a
tracheostomy.
Rationale: The asthmatic patient had difficulty breathing when intubated
and the oxygen saturation dropped. To support airway management, it
would be necessary to set up for a tracheostomy. The surgical
technologist would not prepare the machine or hold cricoid pressure due
to it is not in their scope of practice. A laryngoscopy would not aid in air
way management.
Where should the ST place the back table when setting up a case?
On the side of the OR table where the surgeon will stand.
As far from the OR doors as possible.
Angled to the foot of the OR table for tower placement.
Placed where the floor plan for that suite has designated it. -
CORRECT ANSWER- As far from the OR doors as possible.
Rationale: When the OR doors open and close, air movement is at its
highest. Therefore, it is advantageous to establish the sterile field as far
as possible from the doors and from human traffic into and out of the
room.
The surgical technologist is preparing for a case that requires an
extreme reverse Trendelenburg. Special padding is ordered to prevent
the patient from slipping. What is the other purpose of this padding?
Assist in thermoregulation.
Prevent shearing.
Provide moisture wicking.
Prevent mobility impairment. - CORRECT ANSWER- Prevent
shearing.
Rationale: The Trendelenburg position can cause a patient to slip down
the operating table. That slippage can leave a patient with painful skin
shear injuries. Place a foam or gel pad under the patient between their
skin and the table to prevent skin shearing. The friction created by the
pads, which are taped to the table or held down with straps, helps hold
the patient in place. Foam padding and sponges can also serve to
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
The surgical technologist is opening for a procedure and notices the
wrapped item she just opened has a hole in the outer layer. Which of the
following is the proper course of action?
Open the inner layer onto the sterile field.
Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
Check the indicator to ensure the item has been sterilized.
Place the package on a prep stand and open away from the sterile field.
- CORRECT ANSWER- Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
Rationale: If the integrity of the package has been compromised, it
should not be taken on the sterile field. When in doubt throw it out and
get a new one. If the package has a hole it should never be used. If it
was taken onto the sterile field it would contaminate the whole field.
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general
anesthesia for a right hip arthroplasty. Which of the following will best
help to prevent perioperative positioning injuries?
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. -
CORRECT ANSWER- Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently
padded.
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if
bony prominences are not cushioned and protected from the hard
surface of the operating room table. Their skin is delicate and fragile due
to their age, and other conditions such as diabetes, or poor circulation.
,Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the
surgical technologist should verify which of the following? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER- Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the
circulator prior to obtaining medication. Expiration date, name of
medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer of
medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication
errors.
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee
arthroscopy. As the surgeon takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical
technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a plume of smoke is
seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most
likely source of this smoke?
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - CORRECT ANSWER- The light
source was left on and the drape is igniting.
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper
drape, would be where the smoke plume was coming from because of
the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable liquids and
would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be
the source of the heat since it's not working properly.
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the
surgical technologist should verify which of the following? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
,Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER- Date, Medication, Dosage
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the
circulator prior to obtaining medication. Expiration date, name of
medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer of
medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication
errors.
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee
arthroscopy. As the surgeon takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical
technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a plume of smoke is
seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most
likely source of this smoke?
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - CORRECT ANSWER- The light
source was left on and the drape is igniting.
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper
drape, would be where the smoke plume was coming from because of
the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable liquids and
would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be
the source of the heat since it's not working properly.
When sterilizing an unwrapped, non-porous item with no lumen in an
immediate use sterilization unit, which of the following parameters must
be met for sterilization with gravity displacement steam? (Select the two
(2) correct answers.)
3-4 minute exposure time
270o F
10 minute exposure time
132o F
4 minute drying time - CORRECT ANSWER- 3-4 minute exposure
time, 270F
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is performing an induction on a
known asthmatic patient. The patient experiences a laryngospasm
during intubation. The patient's oxygen saturation is 65%. The scrubbed
surgical technologist should
, prepare for a tracheostomy.
prepare the machine for positive pressure ventilation of the airway.
prepare for a laryngoscopy.
hold cricoid pressure. - CORRECT ANSWER- prepare for a
tracheostomy.
Rationale: The asthmatic patient had difficulty breathing when intubated
and the oxygen saturation dropped. To support airway management, it
would be necessary to set up for a tracheostomy. The surgical
technologist would not prepare the machine or hold cricoid pressure due
to it is not in their scope of practice. A laryngoscopy would not aid in air
way management.
Where should the ST place the back table when setting up a case?
On the side of the OR table where the surgeon will stand.
As far from the OR doors as possible.
Angled to the foot of the OR table for tower placement.
Placed where the floor plan for that suite has designated it. -
CORRECT ANSWER- As far from the OR doors as possible.
Rationale: When the OR doors open and close, air movement is at its
highest. Therefore, it is advantageous to establish the sterile field as far
as possible from the doors and from human traffic into and out of the
room.
The surgical technologist is preparing for a case that requires an
extreme reverse Trendelenburg. Special padding is ordered to prevent
the patient from slipping. What is the other purpose of this padding?
Assist in thermoregulation.
Prevent shearing.
Provide moisture wicking.
Prevent mobility impairment. - CORRECT ANSWER- Prevent
shearing.
Rationale: The Trendelenburg position can cause a patient to slip down
the operating table. That slippage can leave a patient with painful skin
shear injuries. Place a foam or gel pad under the patient between their
skin and the table to prevent skin shearing. The friction created by the
pads, which are taped to the table or held down with straps, helps hold
the patient in place. Foam padding and sponges can also serve to
