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SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST NBSTSA
CERTIFICATION EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|ACTUAL 350
Qs&As|GRADED A+
1. The purpose of surgical aseptic technique is to:
A) Reduce bacteria on the skin
B) Eliminate all microorganisms, including spores, from the
sterile field
C) Clean the operating room floor
D) Sterilize instruments after surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical aseptic technique aims to create and
maintain a sterile field free from all microorganisms,
including spores, to prevent surgical site infections.
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2. Which of the following is NOT considered a sterile item?
A) Instrument tray opened onto a sterile back table
B) Inner wrap of a sterile package
C) Outer wrapper of a sterile package
D) Sterile gown sleeve
Answer: C
Rationale: The outer wrapper of a sterile package is
considered contaminated because it has been exposed to
the environment. The inner wrapper or contents remain
sterile.
3. Scenario: A surgical technologist opens a sterile pack and
notices a small brown stain on the inner drape. What should
the technologist do?
A) Use the pack if the stain is dry
B) Discard the pack and open a new one
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C) Wipe off the stain with sterile saline
D) Use the pack but avoid the stained area
Answer: B
Rationale: Any evidence of moisture, stain, or compromised
packaging renders the contents non-sterile. The pack must
be discarded and a new sterile pack opened.
4. The sterile field should be established:
A) As soon as the patient enters the room
B) Before the patient is brought into the operating room
C) After the surgeon scrubs
D) After the patient is draped
Answer: B
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Rationale: The sterile field should be set up before the
patient enters the OR to minimize airborne contamination
and allow efficient workflow.
5. When pouring a sterile solution into a basin on the sterile
field, the surgical technologist should:
A) Hold the bottle with the label facing down
B) Pour from a height of 12 inches to avoid splashing
C) Pour the entire contents even if not needed
D) Avoid touching the rim of the basin with the bottle
Answer: D
Rationale: The bottle rim must not touch the sterile basin to
prevent contamination. The label should be facing up to
allow reading, and pouring from a low height prevents
splashing.
6. The “flash sterilization” cycle is used for:
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST NBSTSA
CERTIFICATION EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|ACTUAL 350
Qs&As|GRADED A+
1. The purpose of surgical aseptic technique is to:
A) Reduce bacteria on the skin
B) Eliminate all microorganisms, including spores, from the
sterile field
C) Clean the operating room floor
D) Sterilize instruments after surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical aseptic technique aims to create and
maintain a sterile field free from all microorganisms,
including spores, to prevent surgical site infections.
,Page 2 of 106
2. Which of the following is NOT considered a sterile item?
A) Instrument tray opened onto a sterile back table
B) Inner wrap of a sterile package
C) Outer wrapper of a sterile package
D) Sterile gown sleeve
Answer: C
Rationale: The outer wrapper of a sterile package is
considered contaminated because it has been exposed to
the environment. The inner wrapper or contents remain
sterile.
3. Scenario: A surgical technologist opens a sterile pack and
notices a small brown stain on the inner drape. What should
the technologist do?
A) Use the pack if the stain is dry
B) Discard the pack and open a new one
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C) Wipe off the stain with sterile saline
D) Use the pack but avoid the stained area
Answer: B
Rationale: Any evidence of moisture, stain, or compromised
packaging renders the contents non-sterile. The pack must
be discarded and a new sterile pack opened.
4. The sterile field should be established:
A) As soon as the patient enters the room
B) Before the patient is brought into the operating room
C) After the surgeon scrubs
D) After the patient is draped
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 106
Rationale: The sterile field should be set up before the
patient enters the OR to minimize airborne contamination
and allow efficient workflow.
5. When pouring a sterile solution into a basin on the sterile
field, the surgical technologist should:
A) Hold the bottle with the label facing down
B) Pour from a height of 12 inches to avoid splashing
C) Pour the entire contents even if not needed
D) Avoid touching the rim of the basin with the bottle
Answer: D
Rationale: The bottle rim must not touch the sterile basin to
prevent contamination. The label should be facing up to
allow reading, and pouring from a low height prevents
splashing.
6. The “flash sterilization” cycle is used for:
