NBSTSA Practice Exam A 2023 Questions and
Answers(Verified Answers)
1.During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents
begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
A.Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
B.Continue removing the appendix as planned.
C.Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation.
D.Close the wound and terminate the procedure.
A
2.A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The
surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the
drapes before pushing everything back. According to best practice, which of the
following should be the NEXT step?
A.Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down.
B.Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed
again.
C.Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
D.Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed
again.
C
3.Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A.several squared gauze sponges
B.rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C.several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D.gauze sponges and a Velcro strap
C
4.Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A.wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to
proximal
B.applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C.prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the
tourniquet
D.padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
D
5.
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is
used to grasp the cervix?
,A.Sims
B.Auvard
C.Schroeder
D. Bozeman
C
6.
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A.three, two
B.two, three
C.three, three
D.two, two
A
7.
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should
FIRST notify the
A.circulating nurse.
B.contaminating team member.
C.OR supervisor.
D.anesthesia provider.
B
8.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A.hydrocephalus
B.encephalocele
C.cranial bifida
D.craniosynostosis
A
9.
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical
technologist should request additional
A.lap sponges.
B.Raytec sponges.
C.Kitners.
D.cottonoids.
A
10.
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A.diaphysis.
B.medullary canal.
, C.epiphyseal plate.
D.articular cartilage.
C
11.
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an
unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A.The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B.The patient's family requests it be continued.
C.The surgeon requests its be continued.
D.The CRNA requests it be continued.
A
12.
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the
following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure?
A.to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B.to maintain the core body temperature
C.to eliminate any infection-causing microbes
D.to aid visual inspection for leakage
D
13.
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is
A.5-10.
B.15-25.
C.30-35.
D.40-50.
B
14.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of
the following departments should be consulted?
A.histology
B.laboratory
C.pathology
D.radiology
C
15.
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is
the proper procedure for the care of the dentures?
A.Return them to the patient's unit and leave them at the nurses' station.
B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient's chart.
C.Wrap them in a paper towel and give them to the anesthesiologist.
D.Ask the circulator to return them to the patient's room.
Answers(Verified Answers)
1.During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents
begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
A.Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
B.Continue removing the appendix as planned.
C.Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation.
D.Close the wound and terminate the procedure.
A
2.A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The
surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the
drapes before pushing everything back. According to best practice, which of the
following should be the NEXT step?
A.Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down.
B.Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed
again.
C.Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
D.Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed
again.
C
3.Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A.several squared gauze sponges
B.rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C.several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D.gauze sponges and a Velcro strap
C
4.Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A.wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to
proximal
B.applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C.prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the
tourniquet
D.padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
D
5.
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is
used to grasp the cervix?
,A.Sims
B.Auvard
C.Schroeder
D. Bozeman
C
6.
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A.three, two
B.two, three
C.three, three
D.two, two
A
7.
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should
FIRST notify the
A.circulating nurse.
B.contaminating team member.
C.OR supervisor.
D.anesthesia provider.
B
8.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A.hydrocephalus
B.encephalocele
C.cranial bifida
D.craniosynostosis
A
9.
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical
technologist should request additional
A.lap sponges.
B.Raytec sponges.
C.Kitners.
D.cottonoids.
A
10.
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A.diaphysis.
B.medullary canal.
, C.epiphyseal plate.
D.articular cartilage.
C
11.
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an
unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A.The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B.The patient's family requests it be continued.
C.The surgeon requests its be continued.
D.The CRNA requests it be continued.
A
12.
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the
following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure?
A.to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B.to maintain the core body temperature
C.to eliminate any infection-causing microbes
D.to aid visual inspection for leakage
D
13.
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is
A.5-10.
B.15-25.
C.30-35.
D.40-50.
B
14.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of
the following departments should be consulted?
A.histology
B.laboratory
C.pathology
D.radiology
C
15.
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is
the proper procedure for the care of the dentures?
A.Return them to the patient's unit and leave them at the nurses' station.
B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient's chart.
C.Wrap them in a paper towel and give them to the anesthesiologist.
D.Ask the circulator to return them to the patient's room.
