Page 1 of 144
CST EXAM / CERTIFIED SURGICAL
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM 2025/2026 TEST
BANK WITH PREP QUESTIONS AND A
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE TEST ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED
VERSION |GUARANTEED PASS.
Q1. The 1-inch border around the edge of a sterile drape is
considered:
A) Sterile
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B) Non-sterile
C) Clean but not sterile
D) Sterile if covered with a towel
Answer: B – Rationale: The perimeter edge is considered non-
sterile because it is handled with unsterile gloves during
draping.
Q2. A sterile package has an expiration date of 06/2026. It
is now 12/2026. The CST should:
A) Use it if the indicator strip looks good
B) Discard and re-sterilize
C) Use only for non-critical cases
D) Send to bioengineering
Answer: B – Rationale: Expired sterility cannot be
guaranteed. Event-related sterility may allow use if packaging
intact, but most facilities follow expiration dating.
Q3. When pouring a sterile solution into a basin on the sterile
field, the bottle should be held:
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A) With the label facing down
B) With the lip of the bottle touching the basin edge
C) At least 6 inches above the basin
D) Inside the basin to avoid splashing
Answer: C – Rationale: Pour from a height to prevent the non-
sterile bottle lip from contacting the sterile basin. The first few
mL may be discarded.
Q4. A scrub person’s sterile gown becomes wet from the
surgeon’s irrigation. The risk is:
A) Fire hazard
B) Wicking of bacteria from non-sterile skin to sterile field
C) Irritant contact dermatitis
D) Reduced mobility
Answer: B – Rationale: Fluid penetration allows capillary
action to draw bacteria from the gown’s inner surface to the
outer sterile surface.
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Q5. The correct order for removing contaminated sterile
gloves after a case is:
A) Glove to glove, then skin to skin
B) Pull from fingertips first
C) Remove dominant glove, then non-dominant
D) Remove both together with a helper
Answer: A – Rationale: Glove-to-glove (outside to outside)
then skin-to-skin (inside to inside) prevents contamination of
bare hands.
Q6. Which of the following is acceptable on the sterile field?
A) A bottle of povidone-iodine with a torn label
B) A basin that was opened 2 hours ago but not used
C) A Ray-Tec sponge that fell on the floor
D) An instrument that touched the non-sterile mayo stand cover
Answer: B – Rationale: A sterile basin opened but untouched
remains sterile for the case. Sponges on floor are
contaminated; instruments touching non-sterile are
contaminated.
CST EXAM / CERTIFIED SURGICAL
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM 2025/2026 TEST
BANK WITH PREP QUESTIONS AND A
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE TEST ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED
VERSION |GUARANTEED PASS.
Q1. The 1-inch border around the edge of a sterile drape is
considered:
A) Sterile
,Page 2 of 144
B) Non-sterile
C) Clean but not sterile
D) Sterile if covered with a towel
Answer: B – Rationale: The perimeter edge is considered non-
sterile because it is handled with unsterile gloves during
draping.
Q2. A sterile package has an expiration date of 06/2026. It
is now 12/2026. The CST should:
A) Use it if the indicator strip looks good
B) Discard and re-sterilize
C) Use only for non-critical cases
D) Send to bioengineering
Answer: B – Rationale: Expired sterility cannot be
guaranteed. Event-related sterility may allow use if packaging
intact, but most facilities follow expiration dating.
Q3. When pouring a sterile solution into a basin on the sterile
field, the bottle should be held:
,Page 3 of 144
A) With the label facing down
B) With the lip of the bottle touching the basin edge
C) At least 6 inches above the basin
D) Inside the basin to avoid splashing
Answer: C – Rationale: Pour from a height to prevent the non-
sterile bottle lip from contacting the sterile basin. The first few
mL may be discarded.
Q4. A scrub person’s sterile gown becomes wet from the
surgeon’s irrigation. The risk is:
A) Fire hazard
B) Wicking of bacteria from non-sterile skin to sterile field
C) Irritant contact dermatitis
D) Reduced mobility
Answer: B – Rationale: Fluid penetration allows capillary
action to draw bacteria from the gown’s inner surface to the
outer sterile surface.
, Page 4 of 144
Q5. The correct order for removing contaminated sterile
gloves after a case is:
A) Glove to glove, then skin to skin
B) Pull from fingertips first
C) Remove dominant glove, then non-dominant
D) Remove both together with a helper
Answer: A – Rationale: Glove-to-glove (outside to outside)
then skin-to-skin (inside to inside) prevents contamination of
bare hands.
Q6. Which of the following is acceptable on the sterile field?
A) A bottle of povidone-iodine with a torn label
B) A basin that was opened 2 hours ago but not used
C) A Ray-Tec sponge that fell on the floor
D) An instrument that touched the non-sterile mayo stand cover
Answer: B – Rationale: A sterile basin opened but untouched
remains sterile for the case. Sponges on floor are
contaminated; instruments touching non-sterile are
contaminated.
