CST Exam secrets (Questions With
Correct Answers 2023-2024)
1. Which of the following refers to the process of isolating the surgical site from the
rest of the body?
a. Skin preparation
b. Surgical draping
c. Aseptic technique
d. Patient positioning - Correct Answer-1. B: Surgical draping is the process in which the
surgical site is isolated from the
rest of the body. This process is used to protect the surgical site from possible
sources of infection. The drapes are used to serve as a barrier between the surgical
site and all surrounding tissues.
2. Which of the following is a type of drape that contains a specific opening to
accommodate the surgical incision?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Adhesive drape
d. Plastic adhesive drape - Correct Answer-2. A: A fenestrated drape contains an
opening that accommodates and isolates the
surgical site as well as the overall area in which the surgery is being performed.
Fenestrations can come in many shapes, sizes, and may be specific to the surgical
procedure being performed.
3. Which of the following is a type of drape used to cover nonoperative sites?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Adhesive drape
d. Plastic adhesive drape - Correct Answer-3. B: A non-fenestrated drape is used to
"square off" an operative area or to cover
nonessential or non-operative sites. Non-fenestrated drapes can be used in layers to
enhance fluid resistance. This type of drapes is used to ensure other body parts are
adequately isolated from the surgical site.
4. Which of the following is a type of drape in which the surgical incision is made
through?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Incise drape
d. Aperture drape - Correct Answer-C: A incise drape in placed directly to the patient's
skin and the surgical incision is
usually made through the drape. An incise drape is usually made with clear plastic
and an adhesive backing. These drapes may or may not be pretreated with an
antimicrobial iodine solution. Incise drapes are normally placed after the surgical
site has been draped.
5. Which of the following is the type of drape used commonly during eye surgery?
a. Fenestrated drape
,b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Incise drape
d. Aperture drape - Correct Answer-5. D: An aperture drape is commonly used during
eye surgery. It contains an
opening that is surrounded by an adhesive backing. An aperture drape is used as a
benefit to the surgeon in order to better visualize important landmarks or
anatomical structures.
6. Which of the following skin preparation products provide a rapid decrease in the
level of microorganisms?
a. Alcohol and iodine
b. Alcohol and chlorhexidine
c. Iodine and chlorhexidine
d. Chlorhexidine and peroxide - Correct Answer-6. A: Alcohol and iodine provide similar
qualities in rapid decrease in the level of
microorganisms. Alcohol is usually used at a concentration of 70%. Although iodine
is as effective as alcohol for skin preparation, it should be removed in a timely
fashion as it can cause skin irritation for the patient.
7. What is the benefit of using chlorhexidine for the purpose of skin preparation?
a. Chlorhexidine removes microorganisms more rapidly than alcohol
b. Chlorhexidine removes a greater quantity of microorganisms than alcohol
c. Chlorhexidine removes microorganisms more rapidly than iodine
d. Chlorhexidine has a residual effect of 5 to 6 hours - Correct Answer-7. D: Although
chlorhexidine does not provide a rapid reduction in microorganism
quantities like alcohol and iodine, it is a beneficial product for presurgical skin
preparation because it has a residual effect of 5 to 6 hours.
8. What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
a. Safety
b. Esteem
c. Physiological
d. Love and Belonging - Correct Answer-8. C: The bottom level of Maslow's hierarchy of
needs is physiological. The
physiological level refers to the patient's basic needs in order to sustain life: food,
water, air, and temperature regulation.
9. Which of the following describes the process in which the surgical technologist
rids his/her skin of microorganisms prior to a surgical procedure?
a. Skin preparation
b. Aseptic technique
c. Surgical scrub process
d. Decontamination procedure - Correct Answer-9. C: The surgical scrub process is
performed by all operating room personnel,
including surgical technologists, who will be present in the sterile field, touching
and handling sterile instruments, and contacting the surgical incision. The goal is to
sterilize the skin and render it clean for surgery.
10. Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
a. 2,000 to 5,000/mm3
b. 5,000 to 10,000/mm3
, c. 7,000 to 12,000/mm3
d. 10,000 to 15,000mm3 - Correct Answer-10. B: The normal value for white blood cells
is 5,000 to 10,000/mm3. Values above
10,000 can indicate the presence of infection or inflammatory processes. Values
below 5,000 can indicate immunosuppression from disorders, such as leukemia, or
chemotherapy.
11. Which of the following is the normal value for red blood cells?
a. 4.3 to 5.9 x 106 cells/mm3
b. 5.2 to 7.8 x 106 cells/mm3
c. 8.1 to 9.8 x 106 cells/mm3
d. 9 to 10.7 x 106 cells/mm3 - Correct Answer-11. A: The normal value for red blood
cells is 4.3 to 5.9 x 106 cells/mm3 . Abnormal
values of red blood cells can be indicative of anemia, hypovolemia, or chronic occult
hemorrhage as seen with conditions such as gastric ulcers.
12. Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine
abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation, or other problems associated with the spinal
structures?
a. MRI
b. Fluoroscopy
c. Myelography
d. Angiography - Correct Answer-12. C: Myelography is the diagnostic procedure used
to determine abnormalities,
tumors, disc herniation, or other conditions associated with the cervical, thoracic, or Any
other reproduction or redistribution is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
lumbar spine. Myelography is performed by the administration of x-ray dye via
lumbar puncture and then obtaining a series of x-ray images of the area in question.
13. Which of the following diagnostic procedures aids in the diagnosis of aneurysms,
blood clots, and vascular occlusions?
a. MRI
b. Fluoroscopy
c. Myelography
d. Angiography - Correct Answer-13. D: Angiography is the diagnostic procedure most
useful in the diagnosis of
aneurysms, blood clots, vascular occlusions, and plaque formation. Angiography
involves x-ray dye being administered directly into the patient's vascular system,
then using fluoroscopy to obtain live studies of the vascular system.
14. Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid
procedures?
a. Supine position
b. Lateral position
c. Prone position
d. Trendelenburg position - Correct Answer-14. A: The supine position is the preferred
position for cardiac, thyroid, abdominal,
and pelvic surgical procedures. The term supine refers to positioning of the patient
flat on the back on the operating table.
15. Which of the following patient positions is preferred for hip replacements and
Correct Answers 2023-2024)
1. Which of the following refers to the process of isolating the surgical site from the
rest of the body?
a. Skin preparation
b. Surgical draping
c. Aseptic technique
d. Patient positioning - Correct Answer-1. B: Surgical draping is the process in which the
surgical site is isolated from the
rest of the body. This process is used to protect the surgical site from possible
sources of infection. The drapes are used to serve as a barrier between the surgical
site and all surrounding tissues.
2. Which of the following is a type of drape that contains a specific opening to
accommodate the surgical incision?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Adhesive drape
d. Plastic adhesive drape - Correct Answer-2. A: A fenestrated drape contains an
opening that accommodates and isolates the
surgical site as well as the overall area in which the surgery is being performed.
Fenestrations can come in many shapes, sizes, and may be specific to the surgical
procedure being performed.
3. Which of the following is a type of drape used to cover nonoperative sites?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Adhesive drape
d. Plastic adhesive drape - Correct Answer-3. B: A non-fenestrated drape is used to
"square off" an operative area or to cover
nonessential or non-operative sites. Non-fenestrated drapes can be used in layers to
enhance fluid resistance. This type of drapes is used to ensure other body parts are
adequately isolated from the surgical site.
4. Which of the following is a type of drape in which the surgical incision is made
through?
a. Fenestrated drape
b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Incise drape
d. Aperture drape - Correct Answer-C: A incise drape in placed directly to the patient's
skin and the surgical incision is
usually made through the drape. An incise drape is usually made with clear plastic
and an adhesive backing. These drapes may or may not be pretreated with an
antimicrobial iodine solution. Incise drapes are normally placed after the surgical
site has been draped.
5. Which of the following is the type of drape used commonly during eye surgery?
a. Fenestrated drape
,b. Non-fenestrated drape
c. Incise drape
d. Aperture drape - Correct Answer-5. D: An aperture drape is commonly used during
eye surgery. It contains an
opening that is surrounded by an adhesive backing. An aperture drape is used as a
benefit to the surgeon in order to better visualize important landmarks or
anatomical structures.
6. Which of the following skin preparation products provide a rapid decrease in the
level of microorganisms?
a. Alcohol and iodine
b. Alcohol and chlorhexidine
c. Iodine and chlorhexidine
d. Chlorhexidine and peroxide - Correct Answer-6. A: Alcohol and iodine provide similar
qualities in rapid decrease in the level of
microorganisms. Alcohol is usually used at a concentration of 70%. Although iodine
is as effective as alcohol for skin preparation, it should be removed in a timely
fashion as it can cause skin irritation for the patient.
7. What is the benefit of using chlorhexidine for the purpose of skin preparation?
a. Chlorhexidine removes microorganisms more rapidly than alcohol
b. Chlorhexidine removes a greater quantity of microorganisms than alcohol
c. Chlorhexidine removes microorganisms more rapidly than iodine
d. Chlorhexidine has a residual effect of 5 to 6 hours - Correct Answer-7. D: Although
chlorhexidine does not provide a rapid reduction in microorganism
quantities like alcohol and iodine, it is a beneficial product for presurgical skin
preparation because it has a residual effect of 5 to 6 hours.
8. What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
a. Safety
b. Esteem
c. Physiological
d. Love and Belonging - Correct Answer-8. C: The bottom level of Maslow's hierarchy of
needs is physiological. The
physiological level refers to the patient's basic needs in order to sustain life: food,
water, air, and temperature regulation.
9. Which of the following describes the process in which the surgical technologist
rids his/her skin of microorganisms prior to a surgical procedure?
a. Skin preparation
b. Aseptic technique
c. Surgical scrub process
d. Decontamination procedure - Correct Answer-9. C: The surgical scrub process is
performed by all operating room personnel,
including surgical technologists, who will be present in the sterile field, touching
and handling sterile instruments, and contacting the surgical incision. The goal is to
sterilize the skin and render it clean for surgery.
10. Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
a. 2,000 to 5,000/mm3
b. 5,000 to 10,000/mm3
, c. 7,000 to 12,000/mm3
d. 10,000 to 15,000mm3 - Correct Answer-10. B: The normal value for white blood cells
is 5,000 to 10,000/mm3. Values above
10,000 can indicate the presence of infection or inflammatory processes. Values
below 5,000 can indicate immunosuppression from disorders, such as leukemia, or
chemotherapy.
11. Which of the following is the normal value for red blood cells?
a. 4.3 to 5.9 x 106 cells/mm3
b. 5.2 to 7.8 x 106 cells/mm3
c. 8.1 to 9.8 x 106 cells/mm3
d. 9 to 10.7 x 106 cells/mm3 - Correct Answer-11. A: The normal value for red blood
cells is 4.3 to 5.9 x 106 cells/mm3 . Abnormal
values of red blood cells can be indicative of anemia, hypovolemia, or chronic occult
hemorrhage as seen with conditions such as gastric ulcers.
12. Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine
abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation, or other problems associated with the spinal
structures?
a. MRI
b. Fluoroscopy
c. Myelography
d. Angiography - Correct Answer-12. C: Myelography is the diagnostic procedure used
to determine abnormalities,
tumors, disc herniation, or other conditions associated with the cervical, thoracic, or Any
other reproduction or redistribution is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
lumbar spine. Myelography is performed by the administration of x-ray dye via
lumbar puncture and then obtaining a series of x-ray images of the area in question.
13. Which of the following diagnostic procedures aids in the diagnosis of aneurysms,
blood clots, and vascular occlusions?
a. MRI
b. Fluoroscopy
c. Myelography
d. Angiography - Correct Answer-13. D: Angiography is the diagnostic procedure most
useful in the diagnosis of
aneurysms, blood clots, vascular occlusions, and plaque formation. Angiography
involves x-ray dye being administered directly into the patient's vascular system,
then using fluoroscopy to obtain live studies of the vascular system.
14. Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid
procedures?
a. Supine position
b. Lateral position
c. Prone position
d. Trendelenburg position - Correct Answer-14. A: The supine position is the preferred
position for cardiac, thyroid, abdominal,
and pelvic surgical procedures. The term supine refers to positioning of the patient
flat on the back on the operating table.
15. Which of the following patient positions is preferred for hip replacements and
