PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MATERIALS
CST Certified Surgical
Technologist Exam Review
2026
130+ (2026) Exam Kit | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 130 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "CST Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Review 2026," covers
essential topics in surgical technology, including grafts used in coronary artery
bypass, surgical scrub techniques, and organ removal during procedures like total
hysterectomy. It provides 130 questions with correct answers and detailed
explanations, including diagrams and images, to facilitate a comprehensive review of
surgical technology concepts. Students can utilize this resource to study, review, and
gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, enhancing their preparation for the
CST certification exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1. Which of the following grafts is harvested to perform a coronary artery bypass?
, CORRECT ANSWER
Mammary artery
RATIONALE
The term "Mammary artery" is correct because it refers to the internal thoracic
artery, which is commonly harvested as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery due
to its excellent patency rates and resistance to atherosclerosis. In cardiac surgery,
the internal thoracic artery is often harvested and used as a graft to bypass blocked
coronary arteries, making it a crucial component of the surgical procedure.
Q2. The various methods of scrubbing, timed, counted, stroke are all intended to:
CORRECT ANSWER
Diminish resident flora
RATIONALE
The question refers to a context where scrubbing methods are being used, likely in a
situation where surfaces or materials need to be cleaned, such as in a swimming
pool or a hospital. The phrase "Diminish resident flora" is correct because these
methods are intended to eliminate or reduce microorganisms and bacteria that
inhabit the surface, which is often referred to as "resident flora".
Q3. When performing a total hysterectomy, the following organs are removed:
CORRECT ANSWER
Uterus and cervix
, RATIONALE
A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus and the upper part of the
vagina, but specifically excludes the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes,
which leaves the cervix still attached to the vaginal wall. Since the cervix, being a
lower part of the uterus, is typically left intact after a total hysterectomy, it is
removed along with the uterus.
Q4. Donning Or attire refers to:
CORRECT ANSWER
Scrubs, cap, booties
RATIONALE
Donning or attire refers to the process of putting on personal protective equipment
(PPE), specifically items that cover the head, feet, and protect the shoes, which is
why "scrubs, cap, booties" is the correct answer. This term is commonly used in
medical and industrial settings where workers need to wear specific gear to
maintain a clean environment and prevent contamination.
Q5. Cases requiring the surgical team to wear space suits such as orthopedic surgery
are considered to be:
CORRECT ANSWER
High risk
RATIONALE
The key concept here is that space suits are typically worn in situations where
there's a high risk of infection or contamination. Since orthopedic surgery involves
, working with human bone, which is not sterile and can be contaminated with
bacteria, the surgical team must take precautions to prevent infection, making the
case "high risk".
Q6. Why is post-operative recovery time increased in obese patients?
CORRECT ANSWER
Retention of anesthetic agent
RATIONALE
The increased post-operative recovery time in obese patients can be attributed to
the retention of anesthetic agents due to their larger body mass, which leads to a
higher volume of distribution and delayed elimination of the anesthetic. This results
in prolonged effects of the anesthetic, necessitating longer recovery times as the
body takes longer to metabolize and eliminate the agent.
Q7. Which of the following pressure ulcer stages represents an ulcer that has a full-
thickness defect through the skin and soft tissues, and is covered by sloughing or
eschar?
CORRECT ANSWER
Unstageable
RATIONALE
This stage is characterized by the presence of eschar or slough, which indicates that
the ulcer is not yet in a state where the extent of the damage can be accurately
assessed, thereby making it "unstageable". As a result, "unstageable" is used to
CST Certified Surgical
Technologist Exam Review
2026
130+ (2026) Exam Kit | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 130 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "CST Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Review 2026," covers
essential topics in surgical technology, including grafts used in coronary artery
bypass, surgical scrub techniques, and organ removal during procedures like total
hysterectomy. It provides 130 questions with correct answers and detailed
explanations, including diagrams and images, to facilitate a comprehensive review of
surgical technology concepts. Students can utilize this resource to study, review, and
gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, enhancing their preparation for the
CST certification exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1. Which of the following grafts is harvested to perform a coronary artery bypass?
, CORRECT ANSWER
Mammary artery
RATIONALE
The term "Mammary artery" is correct because it refers to the internal thoracic
artery, which is commonly harvested as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery due
to its excellent patency rates and resistance to atherosclerosis. In cardiac surgery,
the internal thoracic artery is often harvested and used as a graft to bypass blocked
coronary arteries, making it a crucial component of the surgical procedure.
Q2. The various methods of scrubbing, timed, counted, stroke are all intended to:
CORRECT ANSWER
Diminish resident flora
RATIONALE
The question refers to a context where scrubbing methods are being used, likely in a
situation where surfaces or materials need to be cleaned, such as in a swimming
pool or a hospital. The phrase "Diminish resident flora" is correct because these
methods are intended to eliminate or reduce microorganisms and bacteria that
inhabit the surface, which is often referred to as "resident flora".
Q3. When performing a total hysterectomy, the following organs are removed:
CORRECT ANSWER
Uterus and cervix
, RATIONALE
A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus and the upper part of the
vagina, but specifically excludes the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes,
which leaves the cervix still attached to the vaginal wall. Since the cervix, being a
lower part of the uterus, is typically left intact after a total hysterectomy, it is
removed along with the uterus.
Q4. Donning Or attire refers to:
CORRECT ANSWER
Scrubs, cap, booties
RATIONALE
Donning or attire refers to the process of putting on personal protective equipment
(PPE), specifically items that cover the head, feet, and protect the shoes, which is
why "scrubs, cap, booties" is the correct answer. This term is commonly used in
medical and industrial settings where workers need to wear specific gear to
maintain a clean environment and prevent contamination.
Q5. Cases requiring the surgical team to wear space suits such as orthopedic surgery
are considered to be:
CORRECT ANSWER
High risk
RATIONALE
The key concept here is that space suits are typically worn in situations where
there's a high risk of infection or contamination. Since orthopedic surgery involves
, working with human bone, which is not sterile and can be contaminated with
bacteria, the surgical team must take precautions to prevent infection, making the
case "high risk".
Q6. Why is post-operative recovery time increased in obese patients?
CORRECT ANSWER
Retention of anesthetic agent
RATIONALE
The increased post-operative recovery time in obese patients can be attributed to
the retention of anesthetic agents due to their larger body mass, which leads to a
higher volume of distribution and delayed elimination of the anesthetic. This results
in prolonged effects of the anesthetic, necessitating longer recovery times as the
body takes longer to metabolize and eliminate the agent.
Q7. Which of the following pressure ulcer stages represents an ulcer that has a full-
thickness defect through the skin and soft tissues, and is covered by sloughing or
eschar?
CORRECT ANSWER
Unstageable
RATIONALE
This stage is characterized by the presence of eschar or slough, which indicates that
the ulcer is not yet in a state where the extent of the damage can be accurately
assessed, thereby making it "unstageable". As a result, "unstageable" is used to
