PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MATERIALS
NBSTSA Certified Surgical
Technologist Exam Review
170+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 175 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Review," covers essential
topics in surgical technology, including anatomy, patient positioning, surgical
procedures, and sterilization techniques. It provides 175 questions with correct
answers and detailed explanations, offering a thorough review of key concepts.
Students can utilize this document to study, review, and understand complex surgical
technology concepts, ultimately enhancing their preparation for the NBSTSA Certified
Surgical Technologist exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the
spinal cord passes?
A. foramen ovale
B. foramen magnum
C. foramen rotundum
D. foramen of Bochdalek
, CORRECT ANSWER
B. foramen magnum
RATIONALE
The foramen magnum is the correct opening through which the spinal cord passes
because it is the largest opening in the skull, specifically located in the occipital
bone, and serves as a passageway for the medulla oblongata, the lowest part of the
brainstem, which connects to the spinal cord. As the spinal cord descends from the
brain, the foramen magnum provides the critical transition point where the spinal
cord continues as the spinal nerves.
Q2. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical
technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the
next case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the following is the BEST
course of action?
A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2.
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the
next case.
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as
planned.
CORRECT ANSWER
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
RATIONALE
The correct answer is B because maintaining asepsis is crucial in surgical settings,
and reusing opened sterile supplies and instruments in a different room poses a risk
of contamination, compromising patient safety. Disposing of the setup in OR 1 and
, obtaining fresh supplies in OR 2 ensures a sterile environment for the new case,
adhering to infection control protocols.
Q3. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
CORRECT ANSWER
C. inflammation
RATIONALE
Inflammation is the body's local tissue reaction to injury, as it involves a complex
process of increased blood flow, white blood cell migration, and the release of
chemical mediators to protect and repair damaged tissues. This localized response
to injury distinguishes inflammation from systemic responses like fever and
infection, which can be triggered by various factors beyond just tissue damage.
Q4. Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Randall forceps
RATIONALE
, The Randall forceps are specifically designed for common bile duct exploration due
to their unique ability to grasp and retrieve stones or other objects from the bile
ducts. This makes them an essential instrument in the field of hepatobiliary surgery,
where precise manipulation of structures within the bile ducts is crucial.
Q5. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting
suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C.opening the scissors wide when cutting
D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
CORRECT ANSWER
A. avoiding the knot
RATIONALE
Avoiding the knot is the most important consideration when cutting suture because
it prevents accidental severing of the suture, which can lead to complications and
require re-suturing, prolonging the procedure and increasing the risk of infection
and other adverse outcomes. Cutting through a knot can also cause the suture to
become unevenly trimmed, leading to an increased risk of suture failure and
dehiscence.
Q6. Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during the
cholecystectomy?
A.cystic artery and cystic duct
B.hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. cystic artery and common bile duct
D. hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
NBSTSA Certified Surgical
Technologist Exam Review
170+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 175 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Review," covers essential
topics in surgical technology, including anatomy, patient positioning, surgical
procedures, and sterilization techniques. It provides 175 questions with correct
answers and detailed explanations, offering a thorough review of key concepts.
Students can utilize this document to study, review, and understand complex surgical
technology concepts, ultimately enhancing their preparation for the NBSTSA Certified
Surgical Technologist exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the
spinal cord passes?
A. foramen ovale
B. foramen magnum
C. foramen rotundum
D. foramen of Bochdalek
, CORRECT ANSWER
B. foramen magnum
RATIONALE
The foramen magnum is the correct opening through which the spinal cord passes
because it is the largest opening in the skull, specifically located in the occipital
bone, and serves as a passageway for the medulla oblongata, the lowest part of the
brainstem, which connects to the spinal cord. As the spinal cord descends from the
brain, the foramen magnum provides the critical transition point where the spinal
cord continues as the spinal nerves.
Q2. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical
technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the
next case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the following is the BEST
course of action?
A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2.
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the
next case.
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as
planned.
CORRECT ANSWER
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
RATIONALE
The correct answer is B because maintaining asepsis is crucial in surgical settings,
and reusing opened sterile supplies and instruments in a different room poses a risk
of contamination, compromising patient safety. Disposing of the setup in OR 1 and
, obtaining fresh supplies in OR 2 ensures a sterile environment for the new case,
adhering to infection control protocols.
Q3. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
CORRECT ANSWER
C. inflammation
RATIONALE
Inflammation is the body's local tissue reaction to injury, as it involves a complex
process of increased blood flow, white blood cell migration, and the release of
chemical mediators to protect and repair damaged tissues. This localized response
to injury distinguishes inflammation from systemic responses like fever and
infection, which can be triggered by various factors beyond just tissue damage.
Q4. Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Randall forceps
RATIONALE
, The Randall forceps are specifically designed for common bile duct exploration due
to their unique ability to grasp and retrieve stones or other objects from the bile
ducts. This makes them an essential instrument in the field of hepatobiliary surgery,
where precise manipulation of structures within the bile ducts is crucial.
Q5. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting
suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C.opening the scissors wide when cutting
D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
CORRECT ANSWER
A. avoiding the knot
RATIONALE
Avoiding the knot is the most important consideration when cutting suture because
it prevents accidental severing of the suture, which can lead to complications and
require re-suturing, prolonging the procedure and increasing the risk of infection
and other adverse outcomes. Cutting through a knot can also cause the suture to
become unevenly trimmed, leading to an increased risk of suture failure and
dehiscence.
Q6. Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during the
cholecystectomy?
A.cystic artery and cystic duct
B.hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. cystic artery and common bile duct
D. hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
