NCCT Surgical Tech Practice Exam and Study Guide
Actual Complete Questions and 100% Correct
Answers (Proven Results)
• An emaciated patient is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy with removal of
excessive skin on bilateral thighs. The circulator has opted to place the ESU grounding
pad on the patient's forearm. The surgical technologist should suggest that the ESU pad
be removed and placed on -✓✓the buttocks
• Which of the following are done during the initial count for a tubal ligation case?
(Select the three (3) correct answers.) -✓✓state the name of each item as you begin to
count it, circulator records the items counted, count laps, Raytecs, needles, and blades
• The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a repair of an abdominal
aneurysm. The aneurysm repair ruptures during transport from the operating room bed
to the stretcher. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take
next? -✓✓Don new gown and gloves.
• Which of the following is used to help maintain hemostasis intraoperatively in
neurosurgery? -✓✓raney clips
• Which of the following instruments should be passed to the surgeon to achieve
hemostasis at the beginning of an operative procedure? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) -✓✓electrosurgical pen, sponge, suction device
• The patient will need surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder.
Which of the following is the correct method for completing this prep? -✓✓Begin at
shoulder to finger tips, including flank and chest, prepping the axilla last, using as many
sponges as needed, keeping the arm away from the bed.
• When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with TB, which of the
following sterilization methods should be employed? -✓✓steris
• During a total hip replacement, how can a surgical technologist prevent blood from
drying on instruments? -✓✓Place the instruments in a basin of sterile water.
• Which of the following prep solutions is contraindicated for use with a laser? -
✓✓Duraprep
• In the Sterile Processing Department, a DART test for autoclave steam sterilizers
should be run -✓✓daily.
,• Upon opening a sterilized instrument tray, the surgical technologist finds bioburden
inside the lumen of a metal suction. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take? -✓✓Remove the sterilized instrument tray from the sterile field.
• The surgeon requests a non-absorbable suture for skin closure. Which of the following
sutures is non-absorbable? -✓✓Nylon
• The anesthesia provider would typically ask the surgical technologist how much fluid
has been used in order to -✓✓estimate blood loss.
• Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling
bilaterally. The most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical
technologist forgot to -✓✓place arm pads.
• The surgical technologist must discard a malfunctioning sterilant and replace with a
new one. Where should the technologist look to find the proper disposal protocol for this
product? -✓✓hospital MSDS log
• When steam sterilizing biological indicators, how long are they incubated before the
reading is recorded? -✓✓24 hours
• Ten minutes into an automatic chemical washer cycle for an instrument string, the
surgical technologist notices she has missed a few critical instruments. Which of the
following should the technologist do? -✓✓Wait until the washer stops and run a new
cycle with the instruments.
• During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions should
the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an uncuffed
endotracheal tube? -✓✓Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of
procedure to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
• Which of the following should the surgical technologist do immediately before
connecting the Jackson-Pratt drain to the drainage tubing? -✓✓Squeeze the bulb to
apply manual suction.
• Prior to a case the surgical technologist determines the power saw is not functioning.
Which of the following is the most likely cause? -✓✓The battery has not been
adequately charged.
• The surgical technologist places the patient in Fowler position with head secured by
craniotomy headrest. Which of the following locations indicates correct application of the
safety strap? -✓✓2 inches above the knees
• Which of the following is the minimum number of counts for a Cesarean section case?
-✓✓four
, • At the end of each case the surgical technologist should -✓✓rinse blood from the
instruments with sterile water.
• When breaking down the setup, which of the following steps should be completed
first? -✓✓All sharps are contained and disposed of in the sharps container.
• Which of the following retractors will the surgical technologist need for an emergent
bring back case on a 450 lb abdominal hysterectomy patient? -✓✓bookwalter
• The surgical team has just completed a radical mastectomy and the surgeon has left
the room. While cleaning up the back table the surgical technologist notices the Jackson
Pratt placed during this surgery is full with bright red fluid. Which of the following should
the surgical technologist do next? -✓✓Inform the circulator that the drain is full and there
is the potential for active bleeding in the surgical site.
• The surgeon is doing a laparoscopic procedure using an endo GIA stapler. He passes
the stapler to the surgical technologist and asks him to reload. Which of the following
should the technologist do to the stapler before passing back to the surgeon? -✓✓Close
the jaws.
• When a surgical technologist is being relieved at end of shift during a myomectomy,
she is required to -✓✓conduct a complete count.
• While preparing the room for a surgical procedure using the laser, which of the
following policies ensure the laser is being used correctly? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) -✓✓Post warning signs outside the room., Do not use alcohol based preps.,
Wear safety goggles.
• When donning a sterile gown the surgical technologist should -✓✓keep the inside of
the gown toward the body.
• After a tracheostomy procedure the surgical technologist should keep which of the
following items sterile on the back table until the patient leaves the room? -
✓✓tracheostomy hook and spreader
• At the beginning of a carpal tunnel procedure the surgeon announces that he will use
a Steven's scissor for every hand case he does from this day forward. After the case,
which of the following is the most efficient way to make sure he has his Steven's scissor
moving forward? -✓✓Add the Steven's scissor to every hand procedure preference card
for the surgeon.
• Patient skin preparation for LAVH and abdominal to perineal procedures should be
performed using which of the following solutions? -✓✓iodophor paint
Actual Complete Questions and 100% Correct
Answers (Proven Results)
• An emaciated patient is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy with removal of
excessive skin on bilateral thighs. The circulator has opted to place the ESU grounding
pad on the patient's forearm. The surgical technologist should suggest that the ESU pad
be removed and placed on -✓✓the buttocks
• Which of the following are done during the initial count for a tubal ligation case?
(Select the three (3) correct answers.) -✓✓state the name of each item as you begin to
count it, circulator records the items counted, count laps, Raytecs, needles, and blades
• The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a repair of an abdominal
aneurysm. The aneurysm repair ruptures during transport from the operating room bed
to the stretcher. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take
next? -✓✓Don new gown and gloves.
• Which of the following is used to help maintain hemostasis intraoperatively in
neurosurgery? -✓✓raney clips
• Which of the following instruments should be passed to the surgeon to achieve
hemostasis at the beginning of an operative procedure? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) -✓✓electrosurgical pen, sponge, suction device
• The patient will need surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder.
Which of the following is the correct method for completing this prep? -✓✓Begin at
shoulder to finger tips, including flank and chest, prepping the axilla last, using as many
sponges as needed, keeping the arm away from the bed.
• When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with TB, which of the
following sterilization methods should be employed? -✓✓steris
• During a total hip replacement, how can a surgical technologist prevent blood from
drying on instruments? -✓✓Place the instruments in a basin of sterile water.
• Which of the following prep solutions is contraindicated for use with a laser? -
✓✓Duraprep
• In the Sterile Processing Department, a DART test for autoclave steam sterilizers
should be run -✓✓daily.
,• Upon opening a sterilized instrument tray, the surgical technologist finds bioburden
inside the lumen of a metal suction. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take? -✓✓Remove the sterilized instrument tray from the sterile field.
• The surgeon requests a non-absorbable suture for skin closure. Which of the following
sutures is non-absorbable? -✓✓Nylon
• The anesthesia provider would typically ask the surgical technologist how much fluid
has been used in order to -✓✓estimate blood loss.
• Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling
bilaterally. The most likely cause of the patient's discomfort is that the surgical
technologist forgot to -✓✓place arm pads.
• The surgical technologist must discard a malfunctioning sterilant and replace with a
new one. Where should the technologist look to find the proper disposal protocol for this
product? -✓✓hospital MSDS log
• When steam sterilizing biological indicators, how long are they incubated before the
reading is recorded? -✓✓24 hours
• Ten minutes into an automatic chemical washer cycle for an instrument string, the
surgical technologist notices she has missed a few critical instruments. Which of the
following should the technologist do? -✓✓Wait until the washer stops and run a new
cycle with the instruments.
• During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions should
the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an uncuffed
endotracheal tube? -✓✓Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of
procedure to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
• Which of the following should the surgical technologist do immediately before
connecting the Jackson-Pratt drain to the drainage tubing? -✓✓Squeeze the bulb to
apply manual suction.
• Prior to a case the surgical technologist determines the power saw is not functioning.
Which of the following is the most likely cause? -✓✓The battery has not been
adequately charged.
• The surgical technologist places the patient in Fowler position with head secured by
craniotomy headrest. Which of the following locations indicates correct application of the
safety strap? -✓✓2 inches above the knees
• Which of the following is the minimum number of counts for a Cesarean section case?
-✓✓four
, • At the end of each case the surgical technologist should -✓✓rinse blood from the
instruments with sterile water.
• When breaking down the setup, which of the following steps should be completed
first? -✓✓All sharps are contained and disposed of in the sharps container.
• Which of the following retractors will the surgical technologist need for an emergent
bring back case on a 450 lb abdominal hysterectomy patient? -✓✓bookwalter
• The surgical team has just completed a radical mastectomy and the surgeon has left
the room. While cleaning up the back table the surgical technologist notices the Jackson
Pratt placed during this surgery is full with bright red fluid. Which of the following should
the surgical technologist do next? -✓✓Inform the circulator that the drain is full and there
is the potential for active bleeding in the surgical site.
• The surgeon is doing a laparoscopic procedure using an endo GIA stapler. He passes
the stapler to the surgical technologist and asks him to reload. Which of the following
should the technologist do to the stapler before passing back to the surgeon? -✓✓Close
the jaws.
• When a surgical technologist is being relieved at end of shift during a myomectomy,
she is required to -✓✓conduct a complete count.
• While preparing the room for a surgical procedure using the laser, which of the
following policies ensure the laser is being used correctly? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) -✓✓Post warning signs outside the room., Do not use alcohol based preps.,
Wear safety goggles.
• When donning a sterile gown the surgical technologist should -✓✓keep the inside of
the gown toward the body.
• After a tracheostomy procedure the surgical technologist should keep which of the
following items sterile on the back table until the patient leaves the room? -
✓✓tracheostomy hook and spreader
• At the beginning of a carpal tunnel procedure the surgeon announces that he will use
a Steven's scissor for every hand case he does from this day forward. After the case,
which of the following is the most efficient way to make sure he has his Steven's scissor
moving forward? -✓✓Add the Steven's scissor to every hand procedure preference card
for the surgeon.
• Patient skin preparation for LAVH and abdominal to perineal procedures should be
performed using which of the following solutions? -✓✓iodophor paint
