NBSTSA PSI CST Exam Review UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
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?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - CORRECT ANSWER A. 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 practices, which of the following should be the NEXT
step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported
to PACU.
D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed again. -
CORRECT ANSWER C. 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?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
,D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER C. Several fluffed
sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril - CORRECT
ANSWER D. 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 - CORRECT ANSWER C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - CORRECT ANSWER A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
,C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Contaminating team member
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious patient
for a surgical procedure?
A. The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
, B. The patient's family requests it be continued.
C. The surgeon requests its be continued.
D. The CRNA requests it be continued. - CORRECT ANSWER A. 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?
A. to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B. to maintain the core body temperature
C. to eliminate any infection causing microbes
D. to aid visual inspection for leakage - CORRECT ANSWER D. 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. - CORRECT 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?
A. histology
B. laboratory
C. pathology
D. radiology - CORRECT ANSWER C. pathology
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
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?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - CORRECT ANSWER A. 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 practices, which of the following should be the NEXT
step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported
to PACU.
D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed again. -
CORRECT ANSWER C. 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?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
,D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER C. Several fluffed
sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril - CORRECT
ANSWER D. 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 - CORRECT ANSWER C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - CORRECT ANSWER A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
,C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Contaminating team member
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious patient
for a surgical procedure?
A. The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
, B. The patient's family requests it be continued.
C. The surgeon requests its be continued.
D. The CRNA requests it be continued. - CORRECT ANSWER A. 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?
A. to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B. to maintain the core body temperature
C. to eliminate any infection causing microbes
D. to aid visual inspection for leakage - CORRECT ANSWER D. 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. - CORRECT 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?
A. histology
B. laboratory
C. pathology
D. radiology - CORRECT ANSWER C. pathology
