NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM / NBSTSA EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST 2024 (GRADED)

NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM / NBSTSA EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST 2024 (GRADED) Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes? A. Teeth B. Villi C. Sinuses D. Tonsils -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Teeth RATIONALE •The teeth are located in the socket's of the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxillae. Which of the following is the wound classification for a bronchoscopy? A. Clean B. Contaminated C. Dirty & Infected D. Clean-Contaminated -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Clean-Contaminated RATIONALE •Clean-Contaminated procedures include those when the aerodigestive tract is entered. The bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the bronchial tubes. The procedure is considered clean, not sterile. The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is: A. Atropine sulfate B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin C. Acetylcholine chloride D. Pilocarpine hydrochloride -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Alpha-Chymotrypsin RATIONALE •Alpha-Chymotrypsin is a solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens. How should the structure be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a patient to the OR? A. Place stretcher sideways in elevator B. Enter head first, exit feet first C. Position in elevator is irrelevant D. Enter feet first, exit head first -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Enter head first, exit feet first RATIONALE •The patient should be placed in the elevator entering head first and exit feet first when being transported to the OR on the stretcher. NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM / NBSTSA 1000 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (GRADED) Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently used in gynecological surgery? A. Midline B. Paramedian C. McBurney's D. Pfannenstiel -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Pfannenstiel RATIONALE •Pfannenstiel's incision is a curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen and used frequently in gynecologic surgery When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they should be positioned: A. Flat B. Upside down C. Vertical D. Angled -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Flat RATIONALE •Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the sterilizing cart flat. Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of: A. Calcium B. Nitrogen C. Potassium D. Albumin -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Potassium RATIONALE •Potassium plays four important roles: influences the electrical excitability of cells; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell volume; potassium balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell metabolism. Hyperkalemia, an abnormal level of potassium, can be life threatening, causing cardiac irregularities. Which of the following tissues are cut using curved mayo scissors? A. Fascia B. Periosteum C. Dura mater D. Arterial wall -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Fascia RATIONALE •Curved mayo scissors are large scissors, with thick blades used to cut tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and muscle. Which laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them? A. Argon B. Excimer C. Carbon dioxide D. Neodymium: YAG -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Argon RATIONALE •The argon laser beam can travel through clear fluids and tissues. Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an: A. Tort B. Malpractice C. Personal liability D. Informed consent -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Informed consent RATIONALE •informed consent must be obtained from the patient before any invasive procedure can be performed. It protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to be treated and the intervention to be performed. Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter? A. Cardia B. Fundus C. Pylorus D. Antrum -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Cardia RATIONALE •The cardia is the portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach. Low-level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy: A. Viruses B. Bacteria C. Fungi D. Spores -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Spores RATIONALE •Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi and viruses, but do not kill spores and M. Tuberculosis Syndactyly refers to: A. Cleft palate B. Webbed fingers C. Fused tarsals D. Torn ligaments -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Webbed fingers RATIONALE •Webbing of the digits is syndactyly The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the: A. Stretcher B. OR table C. Backtable D. Mayo stand -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Backtable RATIONALE •Surgical packs should be opened on the backtable. The islets of langerhans secrete: A. Bile B. Insulin C. Intrinsic factor D. Inhibiting hormones -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Insulin RATIONALE •The islets of langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth? A. Cleft palate repair B. Arch bar application C. Extractions D. Implants -CORRECT ANSWER- C. The removal of a tooth or teeth is an extraction procedure. The resection of the soft tissue and excision of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal is called odontectomy. Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract? A. Escherichia coli B. Staphylococcus aureus C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa D. Clostridium tetani -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Escherichia coli RATIONALE •Escherichia coli is a gram-negative rod that is part of the normal flora of the intestinal tract of humans and is also an opportunistic bacteria. Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the surgeon to square off an incision site? A. Opposite side from surgeon B. Same side as surgeon C. Foot of OR bed D. Head of OR table -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Same side as the surgeon RATIONALE •When using four towels for squaring off the incision site, the first towel will be passed when standing on the same side as the surgeon. A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin: A. Sterile B. Disinfected C. Surgically clean D. Moistened and dehydrated -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Surgically clean RATIONALE •The skin is rendered surgically clean when properly performed surgical scrub is done. Through which of the following do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty? A. Ampulla of Vater B. Duct of Santorini C. Wirsung's duct D. Sphincter of Oddi -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Ampulla of Vater RATIONALE •The pancreatic ducts join at the ampulla and vater Which of the following identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID bracelet prior to transporting a patient to the OR? A. Name, social security number, physician B. Name, medical record number, allergies C. Name, date of birth, diagnosis D. Name, date of birth, physician -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Name, date of birth, physician RATIONALE •The patient should be identified by name, date of birth, and physician on their ID bracelet prior to transporting the patient to the OR. What are spiral-shaped bacteria called? A. Cocci B. Bacilli C. Spirilli D. Diplococci -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Spirilli RATIONALE •Spirilli are spiral-shaped bacteria. The primary function of the gallbladder is to: A. Store bile B. Produce bile C. Emulsify Fats D. Metabolize fats -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Store bile RATIONALE •The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed on the small intestine Which of the following is a non-sterile member of the surgical team? A. Surgeon B. Circulator C. Surgical assistant D. Surgical technologist -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Circulator RATIONALE •The circulator is not part of the sterile team. The circulator performs his/her duties on the periphery of the sterile field Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface-mounted sliding doors for access to the operating room? A. Uses less space for opening B. Aid in controlling temperature C. Eliminate air turbulence D. Provides for thorough cleaning -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Aid in controlling temperature RATIONALE •Sliding doors are usually used in the OR because they eliminate air currents caused by swinging doors, but a disadvantage is they do not aid in controlling OR temperature. What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure? A. Type of procedure, equipment, radiation dose B. Exposure, frequency, concentration C. Time, shielding, distance D. Site, age, gender -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Time, shielding, distance RATIONALE •Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed to the ionizing radiation. Shielding means donning lead aprons and other lead shield devices for protection from the radiation. Distance means standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of ionizing radiation. Which is the first part of the small intestine? A. Duodenum B. Jejunum C. Ileum D. Cecum -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Duodenum RATIONALE •The duodenum starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery? A. Prone B. Lateral C. Supine D. Lithotomy -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Lateral RATIONALE •The surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery is the lateral position with the operative site exposed. How are rickettsiae transmitted? A. Arthropod bites B. Physical contact C. Blood exposure D. Airborne organisms -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Arthropod bites RATIONALE •Most rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasites. They are usually transmitted by arthropod vectors. Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular microscope? A. Colposcopy B. Laparoscopy C. Urethroscopy D. Hysteroscopy -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Colposcopy RATIONALE •A binocular microscope is used during an examination of the vagina called a colposcopy. "Colpo" is a word root that means vagina. Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called: A. Tamponade B. Pericarditis C. Infarction D. Cardiomyopathy -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Tamponade RATIONALE •Tamponade is the compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the pericardium. Which surgical team member determines when the patient can be transported from the OR to the PACU? A. Anesthesia provider B. Circulator C. Surgeon D. Surgical technologist -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Anesthesia provider •The anesthesia provider decides when the patient is stable and ready for transport from the OR to the PACU Which suffix means surgical puncture to remove fluid? A. -dynia B. -tomy C. -lysis D. -centesis -CORRECT ANSWER- D. -centesis •The suffix -centesis means surgical puncture. When combined with arthrocentesis, it means surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle to remove fluid. To which portion of the colon is the appendix attached? A. Ascending B. Descending C. Cecum D. Sigmoid -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Cecum •The appendix is attached to the cecum. Which laboratory test determines bacterial identification? A. Gram stain B. Manual count C. Prothrombin time D. Gel electrophoresis -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Gram stain •A gram stain determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria. Medication used to dilate the pupil is called: A. Miotics B. Myopics C. Mydriatics D. Muscarinics -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Mydriatics •Mydriatics are used to dilate the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier removal of the lens. Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated? A. Laparotomy B. U-drape C. Transverse D. Craniotomy -CORRECT ANSWER- B. U-drape •U-drape is a type of non-fenestrated spilt sheet. The tails are created by a U-shape in the center of the drape. Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to remove a patient's identification bracelet? A. During insertion of an iv catheter B. Never until patient is discharged from facility C. Postoperatively when taken to the nursing unit D. When patient is awake and alert and can verbally identify self -CORRECT ANSWER- B. Never until patient is discharged from facility •Never remove a patients identification bracelet unless the patient is discharged from the facility. What is the position most commonly used for mitral valve replacement? A. Prone B. Sims C. Supine D. Kraske -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Supine •Supine position is the optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement procedure. Which laser is best used during a vitrectomy? A. Carbon dioxide B. Nd: YAG C. Excimer D. Argon -CORRECT ANSWER- D. Argon •The argon laser is used because the beam travels through clear tissues without heating it, making it ideal for use on retinal disorders. Which of the following monitors provides positive assurance of sterility? A. Clerical B. Mechanical C. Biological D. Chemical -CORRECT ANSWER- C. Biological •The biological indicator (BI) contains bacillus stearothermophilus which is killed when exposed to steam sterilization conditions. The BI is the only test that guarantees sterility. The apron-like structure attached to the greater curvature of the stomach is the: A. Omentum B. Mesentery C. Ligamentum D. Microaerophiles -CORRECT ANSWER- A. Omentum •The greater omentum is an apron-like structure that lies over the intestines Which microbes live without oxygen?