NBSTSA CST Exam 2023 Questions and Answers (Verified
Answers)
Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum (tympanic
membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
Tympanosplasty
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and
proceeds to prep the patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this
time?
Regown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy?
Lateral
What is the kraske position?
Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with hips flexed and elevated, head
and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage?
Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general
abdominal set-up?
Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape?
A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A
surgical technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two
and the next case in OR one is scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of
action?
New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in
OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating
a bloodless field?
Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used?
Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to:
Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy?
Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered
unsterile because they are:
Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an
appendectomy should be:
Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection?
Allen
,The primary purpose of chest tubes is to:
Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to:
Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following
types of suture?
Purse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy?
Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach?
Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?
Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing?
Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should
prepare specimens using which method?
Placed in separate containers and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed
on the patient in the operating room?
Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the
scrub role should first notify the:
Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun
should be counted by the:
Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck?
Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure?
Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts?
Cholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument
needed for the removal of the lamina is a:
Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac
emergency?
Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger?
Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what
between the teeth and around the bar?
25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the
cervix?
, Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage?
Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section?
De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to:
Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc?
Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well
as:
Track amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum.
Which layer will be sutured next?
Fascia
Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording the name,
amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure?
Propofol
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight patient. Which
closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the
fascial layer?
2-0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
While preparing a sterile field, a surgical technologist secures the Bovie holster
to the Mayo stand. The surgeon insists on keeping the Bovie by him toward the
head of the patient. What would be the best course of action?
Move Bovie holster up by the head of the patient
A surgeon is performing a procedure to repair damage from a gunshot wound to
the chest. Which type of drain should the surgical technologist have available at
the end of the procedure?
Underwater
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A
surgical technologist will prepare suture attached to which of the following type
of needles?
Blunt
A Stamey needle is used for which type of surgery?
Bladder suspension
What advantage do hand-held retractors have over self-retaining retractors?
Dynamic adjustability
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical
technologist should request additional:
Lap sponges
What is most commonly used for wound closure in the presence of infection?
Stainless steel
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a GI tract reastomosis. What best
describes the reason for irrigation at this point in the procedure?
To aid visual inspection for leakage
Answers)
Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum (tympanic
membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
Tympanosplasty
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and
proceeds to prep the patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this
time?
Regown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy?
Lateral
What is the kraske position?
Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with hips flexed and elevated, head
and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage?
Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general
abdominal set-up?
Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape?
A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A
surgical technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two
and the next case in OR one is scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of
action?
New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in
OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating
a bloodless field?
Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used?
Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to:
Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy?
Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered
unsterile because they are:
Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an
appendectomy should be:
Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection?
Allen
,The primary purpose of chest tubes is to:
Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to:
Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following
types of suture?
Purse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy?
Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach?
Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?
Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing?
Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should
prepare specimens using which method?
Placed in separate containers and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed
on the patient in the operating room?
Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the
scrub role should first notify the:
Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun
should be counted by the:
Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck?
Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure?
Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts?
Cholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument
needed for the removal of the lamina is a:
Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac
emergency?
Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger?
Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what
between the teeth and around the bar?
25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the
cervix?
, Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage?
Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section?
De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to:
Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc?
Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well
as:
Track amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum.
Which layer will be sutured next?
Fascia
Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording the name,
amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure?
Propofol
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight patient. Which
closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the
fascial layer?
2-0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
While preparing a sterile field, a surgical technologist secures the Bovie holster
to the Mayo stand. The surgeon insists on keeping the Bovie by him toward the
head of the patient. What would be the best course of action?
Move Bovie holster up by the head of the patient
A surgeon is performing a procedure to repair damage from a gunshot wound to
the chest. Which type of drain should the surgical technologist have available at
the end of the procedure?
Underwater
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A
surgical technologist will prepare suture attached to which of the following type
of needles?
Blunt
A Stamey needle is used for which type of surgery?
Bladder suspension
What advantage do hand-held retractors have over self-retaining retractors?
Dynamic adjustability
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical
technologist should request additional:
Lap sponges
What is most commonly used for wound closure in the presence of infection?
Stainless steel
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a GI tract reastomosis. What best
describes the reason for irrigation at this point in the procedure?
To aid visual inspection for leakage
