CERTIFICATION EXCELLENCE: NBSTSA
PRACTICE EXAM B WITH A+
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS – 2026/2027
8. 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 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-C. Pathology
9. The required number of air exchanges per hour in an OR is
A. 5 to 10.
B. 15 to 25.
C. 30 to 35.
D. 40 to 50. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. 15 to 25
10. A special-made instrument without a backup falls to the
floor during a procedure. Which of the following is the BEST
reason to hesitate performing immediate-use sterilization?
,A. The sterilizer is used for implantable devices, but not
instruments.
B. The manufacturer's standards for sterilizing the instrument
are unknown.
C. The staff feels uncomfortable transporting the unwrapped
instrument to the OR after sterilization.
D. There are no wrappers or pouches available for sterilizing
the instrument. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. The manufacturer's
standards for sterilizing the instrument are unknown.
11. When transferring a thoracotomy patient to recovery, the
chest drainage system should be
A. disconnected.
B. placed at the patient's side.
C. positioned above the patient's head.
D. maintained below the patient's chest level. - THE CORRECT
ANSWER-D. Maintained below the patient's chest level
12.Which of the following procedures requires an incision in the
suprasternal notch?
A. mediastinoscopy
B. bronchoscopy
C. parotidectomy
D. pericardectomy - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Mediastionscopy
,13. When preparing surgical specimens, in addition to the
surgical technologist, who else is responsible for accurately
labeling the specimen?
A. surgeon and anesthesiologist
B. circulating nurse and first assistant
C. anesthesiologist and first assistant
D. surgeon and circulating nurse - THE CORRECT ANSWER-D. Surgeon
and circulating nurse
14. A T-tube drain may be used following
A. a splenectomy.
B. a choledochotomy.
C. an appendectomy.
D. a herniorrhaphy. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. a choledochotomy
15. When assisting with the closure of a skin incision and
operating the skin stapler, the surgical technologist places the
staples through which two layers?
A. cuticular and subcuticular
B. subicular and subcutaneous
C. subcuticular and subcutaneous
D. subcutaneous and fascia - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. cuticular and
subcuticular
, 16. A type of regional anesthesia in which a tourniquet is
applied and local anesthetic is administered intravenously is
called a
A. Bier block.
B. peripheral nerve block.
C. MAC.
D. caudal anesthesia. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Bier block
17. During a craniotomy, which of the following types of bone is
entered?
A. flat
B. round
C. long
D. short - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Flat
18. A physician prescribed 50 milligrams of Demerol. The
Demerol is supplied in 100 mg/mL. How many mL of Demerol
should be given?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2.0 mL - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. 0.5 mL
PRACTICE EXAM B WITH A+
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS – 2026/2027
8. 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 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-C. Pathology
9. The required number of air exchanges per hour in an OR is
A. 5 to 10.
B. 15 to 25.
C. 30 to 35.
D. 40 to 50. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. 15 to 25
10. A special-made instrument without a backup falls to the
floor during a procedure. Which of the following is the BEST
reason to hesitate performing immediate-use sterilization?
,A. The sterilizer is used for implantable devices, but not
instruments.
B. The manufacturer's standards for sterilizing the instrument
are unknown.
C. The staff feels uncomfortable transporting the unwrapped
instrument to the OR after sterilization.
D. There are no wrappers or pouches available for sterilizing
the instrument. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. The manufacturer's
standards for sterilizing the instrument are unknown.
11. When transferring a thoracotomy patient to recovery, the
chest drainage system should be
A. disconnected.
B. placed at the patient's side.
C. positioned above the patient's head.
D. maintained below the patient's chest level. - THE CORRECT
ANSWER-D. Maintained below the patient's chest level
12.Which of the following procedures requires an incision in the
suprasternal notch?
A. mediastinoscopy
B. bronchoscopy
C. parotidectomy
D. pericardectomy - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Mediastionscopy
,13. When preparing surgical specimens, in addition to the
surgical technologist, who else is responsible for accurately
labeling the specimen?
A. surgeon and anesthesiologist
B. circulating nurse and first assistant
C. anesthesiologist and first assistant
D. surgeon and circulating nurse - THE CORRECT ANSWER-D. Surgeon
and circulating nurse
14. A T-tube drain may be used following
A. a splenectomy.
B. a choledochotomy.
C. an appendectomy.
D. a herniorrhaphy. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-B. a choledochotomy
15. When assisting with the closure of a skin incision and
operating the skin stapler, the surgical technologist places the
staples through which two layers?
A. cuticular and subcuticular
B. subicular and subcutaneous
C. subcuticular and subcutaneous
D. subcutaneous and fascia - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. cuticular and
subcuticular
, 16. A type of regional anesthesia in which a tourniquet is
applied and local anesthetic is administered intravenously is
called a
A. Bier block.
B. peripheral nerve block.
C. MAC.
D. caudal anesthesia. - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Bier block
17. During a craniotomy, which of the following types of bone is
entered?
A. flat
B. round
C. long
D. short - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. Flat
18. A physician prescribed 50 milligrams of Demerol. The
Demerol is supplied in 100 mg/mL. How many mL of Demerol
should be given?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2.0 mL - THE CORRECT ANSWER-A. 0.5 mL
