NCCT Surgical Technology Exam Prep 2025/2026 –
Updated Study Guide & Practice Questions
Domain 1: Pre-Operative Preparation
1. What is the primary responsibility of the surgical technologist in the preoperative phase?
A) Administering anesthesia
B) Creating the surgical incision
C) Preparing the sterile field and equipment ✓
D) Obtaining the patient's informed consent
2. The correct skin preparation solution for a patient with a known iodine allergy is:
A) Povidone-iodine (Betadine)
B) Chlorhexidine gluconate ✓
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
3. Which surgical position is commonly used for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
A) Supine
B) Trendelenburg
C) Reverse Trendelenburg ✓
D) Lithotomy
4. The primary purpose of the surgical "time-out" is to:
A) Check the anesthesia machine
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, and site ✓
C) Count sponges, needles, and instruments
D) Drape the patient
5. Which drape is placed first when creating a sterile field for an abdominal procedure?
A) Laparotomy sheet
B) Incise drape
C) Towels ✓
D) Aperture drape
6. When performing a surgical scrub, the water flow should be controlled with:
A) The elbow
B) The foot pedal ✓
,C) The knee
D) The scrub tech's assistant
7. The correct method for gowning another team member (surgeon) is to:
A) Hold the gown by the outside of the shoulders
B) Hold the gown open, allowing them to place arms in sleeves ✓
C) Place the gown on their shoulders from behind
D) Hold the gown by the neckline and waist ties
8. A patient undergoing a thyroidectomy should be positioned with:
A) A roll under the shoulders to extend the neck ✓
B) The head turned sharply to the left
C) The bed in Trendelenburg position
D) Both arms tucked at the sides
9. The correct order for donning PPE after a surgical scrub is:
A) Gown, then gloves
B) Gloves, then mask
C) Gown, then mask
D) Mask, then gown ✓
10. Which instrument set would be prepared first for a major abdominal case?
A) Minor procedure set
B) Major laparotomy set ✓
C) Vascular set
D) Orthopedic set
Domain 2: Intra-Operative Procedures
11. The knife blade used to make the initial skin incision is typically a:
A) #10 ✓
B) #11
C) #12
D) #15
12. The retractor best suited for retracting deep abdominal tissue is the:
A) Army-Navy
B) Richardson
,C) Deaver ✓
D) Skin hook
13. The primary function of a hemostat (e.g., Kelly, Crile) is to:
A) Cut tissue
B) Clamp blood vessels ✓
C) Retract skin edges
D) Suture fascia
14. Which suture needle is round-bodied and used for friable tissue like bowel or liver?
A) Taper ✓
B) Cutting
C) Reverse cutting
D) Blunt
15. A Babcock clamp is designed to grasp:
A) Bone
B) Delicate tissue (e.g., intestine, fallopian tube) ✓
C) Dense fascia
D) Blood vessels for occlusion
16. The correct sequence for passing a scalpel to the surgeon is:
A) Handle first, with the blade facing away from the passer ✓
B) Blade first, for maximum control
C) Handle first, with the blade facing toward the passer
D) Place it directly on the Mayo stand
17. During a procedure, a used needle is correctly disposed of by:
A) Placing it back on the needle counter
B) Recapping it using a two-handed technique
C) Placing it directly into a designated puncture-resistant sharps container ✓
D) Handing it directly to the circulator
18. The surgical technologist's main role during the procedure is to:
A) Anticipate the surgeon's needs and provide instruments ✓
B) Monitor the patient's vital signs
C) Interpret the surgical findings
D) Adjust the operating room lights
19. Which stapler is used to create an anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract?
A) Skin stapler
, B) LDS stapler (Ligate, Divide, Staple)
C) EEA stapler (End-to-End Anastomosis) ✓
D) TA stapler (Thoracoabdominal)
20. A "laparotomy" sponge is characterized by:
A) A radiopaque marker ✓
B) A ring handle
C) Being moistened with saline
D) Its 4x4 size
21. The instrument used to incise the cranium for a craniotomy is a/an:
A) Osteotome
B) Gigli saw
C) Craniotome ✓
D) Kerrison rongeur
22. A Penrose drain is an example of what type of drain?
A) Closed suction drain (e.g., Jackson-Pratt)
B) Rigid drain (e.g., T-tube)
C) Passive drain ✓
D) Sump drain
23. When handling a specimen, the surgical technologist should:
A) Place it in a dry specimen cup
B) Hand it to the anesthesiologist
C) Label it and give it to the circulator, confirming its destination ✓
D) Rinse it with sterile water and set it aside
24. The correct initial step in controlling significant bleeding is:
A) Applying a topical hemostatic agent
B) Calling for more suction
C) Applying direct pressure or providing the surgeon with a clamp ✓
D) Placing a lap sponge over the area
25. Which suture material is non-absorbable and commonly used for fascial closure?
A) Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
B) Chromic gut
C) Polydioxanone (PDS)
D) Polypropylene (Prolene) ✓
Updated Study Guide & Practice Questions
Domain 1: Pre-Operative Preparation
1. What is the primary responsibility of the surgical technologist in the preoperative phase?
A) Administering anesthesia
B) Creating the surgical incision
C) Preparing the sterile field and equipment ✓
D) Obtaining the patient's informed consent
2. The correct skin preparation solution for a patient with a known iodine allergy is:
A) Povidone-iodine (Betadine)
B) Chlorhexidine gluconate ✓
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
3. Which surgical position is commonly used for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
A) Supine
B) Trendelenburg
C) Reverse Trendelenburg ✓
D) Lithotomy
4. The primary purpose of the surgical "time-out" is to:
A) Check the anesthesia machine
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, and site ✓
C) Count sponges, needles, and instruments
D) Drape the patient
5. Which drape is placed first when creating a sterile field for an abdominal procedure?
A) Laparotomy sheet
B) Incise drape
C) Towels ✓
D) Aperture drape
6. When performing a surgical scrub, the water flow should be controlled with:
A) The elbow
B) The foot pedal ✓
,C) The knee
D) The scrub tech's assistant
7. The correct method for gowning another team member (surgeon) is to:
A) Hold the gown by the outside of the shoulders
B) Hold the gown open, allowing them to place arms in sleeves ✓
C) Place the gown on their shoulders from behind
D) Hold the gown by the neckline and waist ties
8. A patient undergoing a thyroidectomy should be positioned with:
A) A roll under the shoulders to extend the neck ✓
B) The head turned sharply to the left
C) The bed in Trendelenburg position
D) Both arms tucked at the sides
9. The correct order for donning PPE after a surgical scrub is:
A) Gown, then gloves
B) Gloves, then mask
C) Gown, then mask
D) Mask, then gown ✓
10. Which instrument set would be prepared first for a major abdominal case?
A) Minor procedure set
B) Major laparotomy set ✓
C) Vascular set
D) Orthopedic set
Domain 2: Intra-Operative Procedures
11. The knife blade used to make the initial skin incision is typically a:
A) #10 ✓
B) #11
C) #12
D) #15
12. The retractor best suited for retracting deep abdominal tissue is the:
A) Army-Navy
B) Richardson
,C) Deaver ✓
D) Skin hook
13. The primary function of a hemostat (e.g., Kelly, Crile) is to:
A) Cut tissue
B) Clamp blood vessels ✓
C) Retract skin edges
D) Suture fascia
14. Which suture needle is round-bodied and used for friable tissue like bowel or liver?
A) Taper ✓
B) Cutting
C) Reverse cutting
D) Blunt
15. A Babcock clamp is designed to grasp:
A) Bone
B) Delicate tissue (e.g., intestine, fallopian tube) ✓
C) Dense fascia
D) Blood vessels for occlusion
16. The correct sequence for passing a scalpel to the surgeon is:
A) Handle first, with the blade facing away from the passer ✓
B) Blade first, for maximum control
C) Handle first, with the blade facing toward the passer
D) Place it directly on the Mayo stand
17. During a procedure, a used needle is correctly disposed of by:
A) Placing it back on the needle counter
B) Recapping it using a two-handed technique
C) Placing it directly into a designated puncture-resistant sharps container ✓
D) Handing it directly to the circulator
18. The surgical technologist's main role during the procedure is to:
A) Anticipate the surgeon's needs and provide instruments ✓
B) Monitor the patient's vital signs
C) Interpret the surgical findings
D) Adjust the operating room lights
19. Which stapler is used to create an anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract?
A) Skin stapler
, B) LDS stapler (Ligate, Divide, Staple)
C) EEA stapler (End-to-End Anastomosis) ✓
D) TA stapler (Thoracoabdominal)
20. A "laparotomy" sponge is characterized by:
A) A radiopaque marker ✓
B) A ring handle
C) Being moistened with saline
D) Its 4x4 size
21. The instrument used to incise the cranium for a craniotomy is a/an:
A) Osteotome
B) Gigli saw
C) Craniotome ✓
D) Kerrison rongeur
22. A Penrose drain is an example of what type of drain?
A) Closed suction drain (e.g., Jackson-Pratt)
B) Rigid drain (e.g., T-tube)
C) Passive drain ✓
D) Sump drain
23. When handling a specimen, the surgical technologist should:
A) Place it in a dry specimen cup
B) Hand it to the anesthesiologist
C) Label it and give it to the circulator, confirming its destination ✓
D) Rinse it with sterile water and set it aside
24. The correct initial step in controlling significant bleeding is:
A) Applying a topical hemostatic agent
B) Calling for more suction
C) Applying direct pressure or providing the surgeon with a clamp ✓
D) Placing a lap sponge over the area
25. Which suture material is non-absorbable and commonly used for fascial closure?
A) Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
B) Chromic gut
C) Polydioxanone (PDS)
D) Polypropylene (Prolene) ✓
