AST CST Prep Form Exam A
Comprehensive Questions
(Frequently Tested) with
Verified Answers Graded A+
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? - Answer: Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
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? -
Answer: Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing? - Answer: several fluffed
sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet? - Answer:
padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
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 - Answer: Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - Answer: three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the -
Answer: contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain? - Answer: hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional - Answer: lap sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - Answer: epiphyseal plate
,In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious patient for
a surgical procedure? - Answer: The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
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? - Answer: to aid visual
inspection for leakage
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. - Answer: B. 15-25.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following
departments should be consulted? - Answer: Pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures? - Answer: Place them in a labeled cup and keep them
with the patient's chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety precaution, the
surgical technologist should have which of the following special equipment open and available?
- Answer: smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery? -
Answer: vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including - Answer: sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
, Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding
occurring from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? - Answer: Pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation?
A. yellow
B. black
C. red
D. green - Answer: green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by - Answer: incision of the dura
mater
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs the initial
skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this time? - Answer:
Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field
intraoperatively because it - Answer: is sent to pathology immediately.
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the
surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer? - Answer: 0 suture and toothed
tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist's glove. What should the
surgical technologist do NEXT? - Answer: Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP) setup? - Answer: resectoscope
Comprehensive Questions
(Frequently Tested) with
Verified Answers Graded A+
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? - Answer: Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
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? -
Answer: Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing? - Answer: several fluffed
sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet? - Answer:
padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
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 - Answer: Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - Answer: three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the -
Answer: contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain? - Answer: hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional - Answer: lap sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - Answer: epiphyseal plate
,In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious patient for
a surgical procedure? - Answer: The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
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? - Answer: to aid visual
inspection for leakage
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. - Answer: B. 15-25.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following
departments should be consulted? - Answer: Pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures? - Answer: Place them in a labeled cup and keep them
with the patient's chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety precaution, the
surgical technologist should have which of the following special equipment open and available?
- Answer: smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery? -
Answer: vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including - Answer: sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
, Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding
occurring from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? - Answer: Pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation?
A. yellow
B. black
C. red
D. green - Answer: green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by - Answer: incision of the dura
mater
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs the initial
skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this time? - Answer:
Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field
intraoperatively because it - Answer: is sent to pathology immediately.
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the
surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer? - Answer: 0 suture and toothed
tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist's glove. What should the
surgical technologist do NEXT? - Answer: Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP) setup? - Answer: resectoscope
