NCCT PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST 2023-
2024 REAL EXAM 120 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS|DETAILED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED
A+
Which of the following key information should be on the outside of a peel package of a sterilized
instrument? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
type of case the instrument is used in
length of sterilization
sterile indicator
name of item
date of sterilization - ANSWER-sterile indicator, name of item, date of sterilization
Rationale: The sterile indicator, name of item, and date of sterilization should all be labeled on the
outside of the package. The date of use does not need to be on the package. It is not necessary to put
the type of case the instrument is used in.
The surgeon is performing an inguinal herniorraphy procedure and has made the incision and dissected
down a short way into the underlying tissue. Which of the following retractors should the surgical
technologist have ready to pass?
Bookwalter
Senn
Harrington
Army-Navy - ANSWER-Army- Navy
Rationale: To facilitate proper exposure for length and depth of incision for hernia repair, Army-Navy
retractors are best utilized for retraction needs of short depths, as is specified in this case description. A
Bookwalter is a large self-retaining retractor used in larger abdominal procedures. A Senn is a small,
hand-held retractor for superficial incisions. A Harrington is a larger hand-held retractor often used to
retract the liver or spleen.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling bilaterally. The
most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical technologist forgot to
adduct the arm.
place the axillary roll.
,place arm pads.
abduct the arm. - ANSWER-Place arm pads
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used during the
lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar nerve. The arms
are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
During an abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon found a lesion on the ovary. The surgeon excised the
lesion and asked that the specimen be sent to the lab for immediate analysis. Which of the following
types of specimen is this?
permanent
frozen
partial
fresh - ANSWER-frozen
Rationale: A frozen specimen is sent to the lab dry for immediate analysis. It is useful for checking
margins on the specimen. Permanent sections are placed in a fixative solution for further analysis later.
A fresh specimen is one that has to be sent to the lab dry and then will be fixed with a fixative solution
upon arrival in the lab.
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk for OR-acquired pressure ulcer development?
77-year-old undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft
35-year-old undergoing a transverse colectomy
2-year-old undergoing hypospadias repair
82-year-old undergoing cochlear implantation - ANSWER-77-year-old undergoing a coronary artery
bypass graft
Senior patients are at a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers due to their preexisting conditions that
include mobility restrictions, nutritional deficits, reduced blood flow, nerve damage and thin or fragile
skin. The reason that "D" is not the better answer is that even though it is an elderly patient, a cochlear
implant is a very quick procedure, and there is a lesser likelihood of developing a pressure ulcer during
this short operative time
A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to extract the
uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical technologist have available to
retrieve the uterus?
harmonic scalpel
,ligasure
morcellator
enseal - ANSWER-Morcellator
Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into smaller pieces for
easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller incisions and shorter surgery
time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving the uterus because it is used to cut and
coagulate tissue simultaneously. Ligasure and Enseal are used to help seal vessels.
A patient has a latex allergy and is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy. A catheter will be inserted
in the patient's bladder pre-operatively. Which of the following is the proper catheter to use for this
patient?
rubber Foley catheter
Teflon ureteral catheter
polyethylene Malecot catheter
silicone retention catheter - ANSWER-silicone retention catheter
While Teflon, polyethylene, and silicone are all substitute material options for latex products, the
difference is in the types of catheters listed. A Malecot is a wing-tipped catheter often used for
suprapubic catheter placement. A ureteral catheter is placed in the ureters, not the bladder. A rubber
Foley is the traditional Foley that contains latex.
In anticipation of a visually impaired patient's surgical procedure, the best practice in facilitating
movement would be for the surgical technologist to
explain the process of moving from stretcher to bed then guide the patient's hand to aid him while he
moves.
guide the patient by touching him then explain the process of moving from the stretcher to the
operating bed.
allow the patient to become familiar moving by feeling around on his own.
explain the process of moving then allow the patient to move on his own. - ANSWER-explain the process
of moving from stretcher to bed then guide the patient's hand to aid him while he moves.
Rationale: Since the patient is visually impaired they cannot see that well what you are telling them to
do. Someone should explain to the patient, what will be needed from them to move over to the
operating room bed. The surgical technologist should guide the patient's hand and tell them where it is
expected for them to move. The patient should be told what to do first ,and then have them move over
to the correct position, with guidance as they move.
, The surgeon requests suture to close the skin incision. Which of the following types of needles should be
used?
tapered
blunt
Veress
cutting - ANSWER-cutting
Rationale: Cutting needles are used for passage of suture material through tough tissue difficult to
penetrate, such as skin. Blunt and tapered needles do not pass through skin tissue as well as a cutting
needle. A Veress needle is used to insufflate the abdomen for a laparoscopy.
Which of the following must the surgical technologist verify before implants are opened during a total
knee replacement? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
expiration date
name of component
lot number
size
manufacturer name - ANSWER-Correct response:
expiration date, name of component, size
Rationale: Manufacturer name and lot number do not have to be verified by the surgical technologist,
but are charted by the circulator for documentation. Always verify implant type, size, and expiration
date, prior to opening.
Which of the following is being tested when doing a Bowie-Dick test on an autoclave?
population of spores left in the autoclave
amount of air removed from the autoclave
correct pressure is attained
correct amount of steam present - ANSWER-Correct response:
amount of air removed from the autoclave
Rationale: Bowie-Dick is the most commonly known DART test that should be performed on the
autoclave. It ensures that the air is completely removed from the chamber and that it has been
successfully replaced with steam.
2024 REAL EXAM 120 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS|DETAILED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED
A+
Which of the following key information should be on the outside of a peel package of a sterilized
instrument? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
type of case the instrument is used in
length of sterilization
sterile indicator
name of item
date of sterilization - ANSWER-sterile indicator, name of item, date of sterilization
Rationale: The sterile indicator, name of item, and date of sterilization should all be labeled on the
outside of the package. The date of use does not need to be on the package. It is not necessary to put
the type of case the instrument is used in.
The surgeon is performing an inguinal herniorraphy procedure and has made the incision and dissected
down a short way into the underlying tissue. Which of the following retractors should the surgical
technologist have ready to pass?
Bookwalter
Senn
Harrington
Army-Navy - ANSWER-Army- Navy
Rationale: To facilitate proper exposure for length and depth of incision for hernia repair, Army-Navy
retractors are best utilized for retraction needs of short depths, as is specified in this case description. A
Bookwalter is a large self-retaining retractor used in larger abdominal procedures. A Senn is a small,
hand-held retractor for superficial incisions. A Harrington is a larger hand-held retractor often used to
retract the liver or spleen.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling bilaterally. The
most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical technologist forgot to
adduct the arm.
place the axillary roll.
,place arm pads.
abduct the arm. - ANSWER-Place arm pads
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used during the
lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar nerve. The arms
are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
During an abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon found a lesion on the ovary. The surgeon excised the
lesion and asked that the specimen be sent to the lab for immediate analysis. Which of the following
types of specimen is this?
permanent
frozen
partial
fresh - ANSWER-frozen
Rationale: A frozen specimen is sent to the lab dry for immediate analysis. It is useful for checking
margins on the specimen. Permanent sections are placed in a fixative solution for further analysis later.
A fresh specimen is one that has to be sent to the lab dry and then will be fixed with a fixative solution
upon arrival in the lab.
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk for OR-acquired pressure ulcer development?
77-year-old undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft
35-year-old undergoing a transverse colectomy
2-year-old undergoing hypospadias repair
82-year-old undergoing cochlear implantation - ANSWER-77-year-old undergoing a coronary artery
bypass graft
Senior patients are at a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers due to their preexisting conditions that
include mobility restrictions, nutritional deficits, reduced blood flow, nerve damage and thin or fragile
skin. The reason that "D" is not the better answer is that even though it is an elderly patient, a cochlear
implant is a very quick procedure, and there is a lesser likelihood of developing a pressure ulcer during
this short operative time
A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to extract the
uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical technologist have available to
retrieve the uterus?
harmonic scalpel
,ligasure
morcellator
enseal - ANSWER-Morcellator
Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into smaller pieces for
easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller incisions and shorter surgery
time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving the uterus because it is used to cut and
coagulate tissue simultaneously. Ligasure and Enseal are used to help seal vessels.
A patient has a latex allergy and is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy. A catheter will be inserted
in the patient's bladder pre-operatively. Which of the following is the proper catheter to use for this
patient?
rubber Foley catheter
Teflon ureteral catheter
polyethylene Malecot catheter
silicone retention catheter - ANSWER-silicone retention catheter
While Teflon, polyethylene, and silicone are all substitute material options for latex products, the
difference is in the types of catheters listed. A Malecot is a wing-tipped catheter often used for
suprapubic catheter placement. A ureteral catheter is placed in the ureters, not the bladder. A rubber
Foley is the traditional Foley that contains latex.
In anticipation of a visually impaired patient's surgical procedure, the best practice in facilitating
movement would be for the surgical technologist to
explain the process of moving from stretcher to bed then guide the patient's hand to aid him while he
moves.
guide the patient by touching him then explain the process of moving from the stretcher to the
operating bed.
allow the patient to become familiar moving by feeling around on his own.
explain the process of moving then allow the patient to move on his own. - ANSWER-explain the process
of moving from stretcher to bed then guide the patient's hand to aid him while he moves.
Rationale: Since the patient is visually impaired they cannot see that well what you are telling them to
do. Someone should explain to the patient, what will be needed from them to move over to the
operating room bed. The surgical technologist should guide the patient's hand and tell them where it is
expected for them to move. The patient should be told what to do first ,and then have them move over
to the correct position, with guidance as they move.
, The surgeon requests suture to close the skin incision. Which of the following types of needles should be
used?
tapered
blunt
Veress
cutting - ANSWER-cutting
Rationale: Cutting needles are used for passage of suture material through tough tissue difficult to
penetrate, such as skin. Blunt and tapered needles do not pass through skin tissue as well as a cutting
needle. A Veress needle is used to insufflate the abdomen for a laparoscopy.
Which of the following must the surgical technologist verify before implants are opened during a total
knee replacement? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
expiration date
name of component
lot number
size
manufacturer name - ANSWER-Correct response:
expiration date, name of component, size
Rationale: Manufacturer name and lot number do not have to be verified by the surgical technologist,
but are charted by the circulator for documentation. Always verify implant type, size, and expiration
date, prior to opening.
Which of the following is being tested when doing a Bowie-Dick test on an autoclave?
population of spores left in the autoclave
amount of air removed from the autoclave
correct pressure is attained
correct amount of steam present - ANSWER-Correct response:
amount of air removed from the autoclave
Rationale: Bowie-Dick is the most commonly known DART test that should be performed on the
autoclave. It ensures that the air is completely removed from the chamber and that it has been
successfully replaced with steam.
