SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM (NBSTSA)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A. Reduce pain
B. Prevent infection
C. Control bleeding
D. Promote healing
B. Prevent infection
Rationale: Surgical asepsis aims to eliminate all microorganisms to
prevent infection during procedures.
2. What is the first step in donning sterile gloves?
A. Wash hands thoroughly
B. Open glove package
C. Apply antiseptic
D. Dry hands
A. Wash hands thoroughly
Rationale: Hand hygiene is critical before touching sterile gloves to
prevent contamination.
,3. During which phase of surgery is a sponge count performed?
A. Preoperative
B. Intraoperative
C. Postoperative
D. Recovery
B. Intraoperative
Rationale: Sponge counts are performed intraoperatively to prevent
retained surgical items.
4. Which of the following instruments is used for grasping tissue?
A. Scalpel
B. Forceps
C. Retractor
D. Suction tip
B. Forceps
Rationale: Forceps are designed to grasp and hold tissue or objects
securely.
5. What is the purpose of a surgical drape?
A. Protect the patient from anesthesia
B. Maintain a sterile field
C. Reduce bleeding
D. Measure vital signs
B. Maintain a sterile field
Rationale: Drapes create a barrier to prevent contamination of the
surgical site.
6. Which of the following is considered a critical item in sterilization?
A. Stethoscope
B. Surgical instruments
C. Gown
D. Drapes
, B. Surgical instruments
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and
must be fully sterilized.
7. A patient with a latex allergy requires which of the following?
A. Standard gloves
B. Latex-free equipment
C. Sterile gloves only
D. Extra drapes
B. Latex-free equipment
Rationale: Latex-free equipment prevents allergic reactions in sensitized
patients.
8. The surgical scrub should be performed for a minimum of:
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Rationale: A minimum 5-minute scrub ensures removal of transient and
resident microorganisms.
9. Which suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Silk
C. Vicryl
D. Stainless steel
C. Vicryl
Rationale: Vicryl is a synthetic absorbable suture that dissolves over
time in tissue.
10. What type of sterilization uses high-pressure steam?
A. Dry heat
CERTIFICATION EXAM (NBSTSA)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A. Reduce pain
B. Prevent infection
C. Control bleeding
D. Promote healing
B. Prevent infection
Rationale: Surgical asepsis aims to eliminate all microorganisms to
prevent infection during procedures.
2. What is the first step in donning sterile gloves?
A. Wash hands thoroughly
B. Open glove package
C. Apply antiseptic
D. Dry hands
A. Wash hands thoroughly
Rationale: Hand hygiene is critical before touching sterile gloves to
prevent contamination.
,3. During which phase of surgery is a sponge count performed?
A. Preoperative
B. Intraoperative
C. Postoperative
D. Recovery
B. Intraoperative
Rationale: Sponge counts are performed intraoperatively to prevent
retained surgical items.
4. Which of the following instruments is used for grasping tissue?
A. Scalpel
B. Forceps
C. Retractor
D. Suction tip
B. Forceps
Rationale: Forceps are designed to grasp and hold tissue or objects
securely.
5. What is the purpose of a surgical drape?
A. Protect the patient from anesthesia
B. Maintain a sterile field
C. Reduce bleeding
D. Measure vital signs
B. Maintain a sterile field
Rationale: Drapes create a barrier to prevent contamination of the
surgical site.
6. Which of the following is considered a critical item in sterilization?
A. Stethoscope
B. Surgical instruments
C. Gown
D. Drapes
, B. Surgical instruments
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and
must be fully sterilized.
7. A patient with a latex allergy requires which of the following?
A. Standard gloves
B. Latex-free equipment
C. Sterile gloves only
D. Extra drapes
B. Latex-free equipment
Rationale: Latex-free equipment prevents allergic reactions in sensitized
patients.
8. The surgical scrub should be performed for a minimum of:
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Rationale: A minimum 5-minute scrub ensures removal of transient and
resident microorganisms.
9. Which suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Silk
C. Vicryl
D. Stainless steel
C. Vicryl
Rationale: Vicryl is a synthetic absorbable suture that dissolves over
time in tissue.
10. What type of sterilization uses high-pressure steam?
A. Dry heat
