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NBSTSA CST Exam 2026 Study Guide & Practice
Questions | Certified Surgical Technologist Prep
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A Nissen fundoplication procedure is done to correct :
(A) Repeated attacks of volvulus
(B) antireflux disease
(C) bladder prolapse
(D) gastroesophageal stenosis - ANSWER -(B) antireflux procedure
which prevents reflux of gastric juices back into the esophagus. The
three most frequently performed procedures are Nissen, Hill, and Belsy
Mark IV.
A dissecting sponge that is a small roll of heavy cotton tape is a :
(A) Kittner
(B) peanut
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(D) Kittner and
peanuts.
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Kittners and peanuts are dissecting sponges that are small rolls of heavy
cotton tape that are held in forceps/clamps.
Peanuts and dissecting sponges are generally:
(A) used dry
(B) moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(B) moistened with
saline
saline is used because it is a isotonic solution.
Peanuts and dissecting sponges are generally :
(A) used dry
(B) moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(B) Peanuts are are
moistened with saline and pressed out flat on a metal surface
Intra-abdominally, lap pads are generally:
(A) dry
(B) Moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with glycine solution - ANSWER -(B) Normal saline
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is usually used to moisten sponges because it is an isotonic solution
Specimens may be passed off the sterile field by the scrub person on all
of the following items EXCEPT :
(A) sponge
(B) towel
(C) basin
(D) paper - ANSWER -(A) specimen may be passed from the field in a
basin, on a piece of paper wrapper, or on a towel. Never Place specimen
on a sponge that may leave the OR and disrupt the sponge count.
A catheter commonly used in a gastrostomy is a :
(A) mushroom
(B) Rehfuss
(C) Cantor
(D) Sengstaken-Blakemore - ANSWER -(A) Mushroom
Mushroom, Malecot, or Foley catheters are frequently used in the
anterior gastric wall and are held in placed by a purse-string suture.
Before handing a Penrose drain to the surgeon,
(A) place it on an Allis clamp
(B) attach a safety pin to it
(C) cut it to the desired length
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(D) moistened with saline - ANSWER -(D) Moisten the drain in saline
before handing it to the surgeon
The disposable circular staple designed to hold two tubular structures
together after resection is known as:
(A) TA linear
(B) LDS
(C) EEA
(D) GIA - ANSWER -(C) EEA
The end-to-end anastomosis stapler, the (EEA) is designed to hold two
tubular structures, to join the structures with staples, and to cut the
structures internally so proper lumen is provided
Transduodenal sphincterotomy refers to the incision made into the
______ the relieve stenosis.
(A) cardiac sphincter
(B) ileocecal sphincter
(C) sphincter of Oddi
(D) pyloric sphincter - ANSWER -(C) The sphincter of Oddi
is located at the most distal end of the ampulla of Vater. It may become
scarred because of biliary obstruction, stones, or disease. Transecting
the duodenum at the site of the sphincter allows the surgeon to reduce
the stenosis and encourage the flow of bile and pancreatic juices into
the gastrointestinal system.
NBSTSA CST Exam 2026 Study Guide & Practice
Questions | Certified Surgical Technologist Prep
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A Nissen fundoplication procedure is done to correct :
(A) Repeated attacks of volvulus
(B) antireflux disease
(C) bladder prolapse
(D) gastroesophageal stenosis - ANSWER -(B) antireflux procedure
which prevents reflux of gastric juices back into the esophagus. The
three most frequently performed procedures are Nissen, Hill, and Belsy
Mark IV.
A dissecting sponge that is a small roll of heavy cotton tape is a :
(A) Kittner
(B) peanut
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(D) Kittner and
peanuts.
,2|Page
Kittners and peanuts are dissecting sponges that are small rolls of heavy
cotton tape that are held in forceps/clamps.
Peanuts and dissecting sponges are generally:
(A) used dry
(B) moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(B) moistened with
saline
saline is used because it is a isotonic solution.
Peanuts and dissecting sponges are generally :
(A) used dry
(B) moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with antibiotic solution - ANSWER -(B) Peanuts are are
moistened with saline and pressed out flat on a metal surface
Intra-abdominally, lap pads are generally:
(A) dry
(B) Moistened with saline
(C) moistened with water
(D) moistened with glycine solution - ANSWER -(B) Normal saline
,3|Page
is usually used to moisten sponges because it is an isotonic solution
Specimens may be passed off the sterile field by the scrub person on all
of the following items EXCEPT :
(A) sponge
(B) towel
(C) basin
(D) paper - ANSWER -(A) specimen may be passed from the field in a
basin, on a piece of paper wrapper, or on a towel. Never Place specimen
on a sponge that may leave the OR and disrupt the sponge count.
A catheter commonly used in a gastrostomy is a :
(A) mushroom
(B) Rehfuss
(C) Cantor
(D) Sengstaken-Blakemore - ANSWER -(A) Mushroom
Mushroom, Malecot, or Foley catheters are frequently used in the
anterior gastric wall and are held in placed by a purse-string suture.
Before handing a Penrose drain to the surgeon,
(A) place it on an Allis clamp
(B) attach a safety pin to it
(C) cut it to the desired length
, 4|Page
(D) moistened with saline - ANSWER -(D) Moisten the drain in saline
before handing it to the surgeon
The disposable circular staple designed to hold two tubular structures
together after resection is known as:
(A) TA linear
(B) LDS
(C) EEA
(D) GIA - ANSWER -(C) EEA
The end-to-end anastomosis stapler, the (EEA) is designed to hold two
tubular structures, to join the structures with staples, and to cut the
structures internally so proper lumen is provided
Transduodenal sphincterotomy refers to the incision made into the
______ the relieve stenosis.
(A) cardiac sphincter
(B) ileocecal sphincter
(C) sphincter of Oddi
(D) pyloric sphincter - ANSWER -(C) The sphincter of Oddi
is located at the most distal end of the ampulla of Vater. It may become
scarred because of biliary obstruction, stones, or disease. Transecting
the duodenum at the site of the sphincter allows the surgeon to reduce
the stenosis and encourage the flow of bile and pancreatic juices into
the gastrointestinal system.
