NCCT SURGICAL TECH PRACTICE EXAM 200 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive study guide provides 200 unique, multiple-choice
questions for the NCCT Surgical Tech Practice Exam, covering all core
competencies required for certification. Each question includes a correct
answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce learning. Content spans sterile
technique, instrumentation identification, patient positioning, surgical
procedures across specialties, aseptic practices, sterilization methods, safety
protocols, and emergency response. Key topics include instrument processing,
surgical counts, specimen handling, anesthesia considerations, wound
classification, and OR environmental controls. This resource prepares
candidates for the cognitive and practical demands of the NCCT exam by
combining foundational knowledge with clinical application scenarios
essential for surgical technologist practice .
1. When assembling instruments for sterilization, the surgical technologist should
place instruments on the stringer with:
A) Clamps in the locked position
B) Smaller instruments grouped together
C) Clamps in the open position
D) Larger instruments grouped together
Answer: C
Rationale: Instruments with ratchets (like clamps and hemostats) must be sterilized
in the open position to allow the sterilant (steam) to contact all surfaces. Locking
them creates a shield, preventing proper sterilization .
2. The surgeon is performing an inguinal herniorrhaphy and has made the incision.
Which retractor should be passed to retract the superficial tissue?
A) Harrington
B) Bookwalter
C) Senn
,D) Army-Navy
Answer: D
Rationale: The Army-Navy retractor is a hand-held, double-ended retractor ideal
for retracting superficial layers in medium-depth incisions like hernia repairs .
3. During an ORIF of an extremity, what is important to verify with the surgeon
besides the plate selection?
A) The type and size of screws
B) How many sutures are needed
C) If graft material is needed
D) The setting for the ESU
Answer: A
Rationale: While plate selection is key, the screw type (cortical vs. cancellous),
size (length/diameter), and driver must match the plate and bone quality .
4. A surgical technologist is preparing the room for a bariatric abdominal case.
Which self-retaining retractor system provides the best exposure for deep, large
abdomens?
A) Balfour
B) Bookwalter
C) O'Connor-O'Sullivan
D) Weitlaner
Answer: B
Rationale: The Bookwalter is a table-fixed, self-retaining system designed for
deep, large abdomens. A Balfour is lighter, and the O'Connor-O'Sullivan is for
pelvic surgery .
5. A patient scheduled for a right total nephrectomy should be positioned in which
position?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Left lateral
D) Right lateral
Answer: C
Rationale: For a right total nephrectomy, the patient is positioned in the left lateral
position to provide access to the right kidney .
6. A patient has flat lined with a steady flow of blood pumping from a small, one-
inch self-inflicted stab wound to the groin. Which items should the surgical
technologist have ready for the surgeon? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
,A) Yankauer suction
B) Lap sponges
C) Raytec sponges
D) Frazier suction
E) Knife blade
Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Active bleeding requires a large-bore suction like the Yankauer, lap
sponges for packing/mopping, and a knife blade to extend the incision for vascular
control .
7. The circulating nurse notices that the patient is actively bleeding from one of
the operative sites and the surgeon has left the room. Which action should the
surgical technologist take?
A) Break scrub and inform the surgeon.
B) Remain in gown and gloves and apply pressure.
C) Break scrub and monitor the sterile field.
D) Open a new sterile field for the patient.
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist should remain sterile and apply pressure to the
bleeding site to maintain hemostasis until the surgeon returns, rather than breaking
scrub .
8. What is the minimum percentage level of humidity required in the OR suite to
reduce static electricity?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: A minimum humidity level of 20% is required in the OR to reduce the
risk of static electricity and subsequent fire hazards .
9. An 85-year-old patient is in the OR. The surgical technologist should take extra
care to ensure what?
A) Use a warming blanket
B) All bony prominences are sufficiently padded
C) Only use a safety strap
D) The OR bed is in reverse Trendelenburg
Answer: B
, Rationale: Elderly patients are at risk for pressure ulcers from the hard OR table
due to fragile skin and conditions like diabetes or poor circulation. Bony
prominences must be carefully padded .
10. Where should the safety strap be placed when securing a patient in the supine
position?
A) Across the chest
B) Above the knees
C) Across the thighs and calves
D) Over the abdomen
Answer: C
Rationale: The safety strap should be placed across the posterior aspect of the
thighs and calves to secure the patient without impeding chest expansion or
circulation .
11. The surgeon requests a non-absorbable suture for skin closure. Which is non-
absorbable?
A) Vicryl
B) Chromic
C) Plain Gut
D) Nylon
Answer: D
Rationale: Nylon is a synthetic, non-absorbable monofilament suture. Vicryl,
chromic, and plain gut are all absorbable sutures .
12. During a colon resection, an endo GIA stapler misfires. Where should the
surgical technologist bring it after surgery?
A) Biomed
B) Decontamination area
C) Central Supply
D) Biohazard waste
Answer: A
Rationale: Malfunctioning powered equipment or staplers must be sent to
Biomedical Engineering (Biomed) for evaluation and repair reporting .
13. The circulator pours unverified fluids onto the field and states they are correct.
What should the surgical technologist do?
A) Proceed with the fluids
B) Label the fluid immediately
C) Discard the fluid and request new bottles
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive study guide provides 200 unique, multiple-choice
questions for the NCCT Surgical Tech Practice Exam, covering all core
competencies required for certification. Each question includes a correct
answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce learning. Content spans sterile
technique, instrumentation identification, patient positioning, surgical
procedures across specialties, aseptic practices, sterilization methods, safety
protocols, and emergency response. Key topics include instrument processing,
surgical counts, specimen handling, anesthesia considerations, wound
classification, and OR environmental controls. This resource prepares
candidates for the cognitive and practical demands of the NCCT exam by
combining foundational knowledge with clinical application scenarios
essential for surgical technologist practice .
1. When assembling instruments for sterilization, the surgical technologist should
place instruments on the stringer with:
A) Clamps in the locked position
B) Smaller instruments grouped together
C) Clamps in the open position
D) Larger instruments grouped together
Answer: C
Rationale: Instruments with ratchets (like clamps and hemostats) must be sterilized
in the open position to allow the sterilant (steam) to contact all surfaces. Locking
them creates a shield, preventing proper sterilization .
2. The surgeon is performing an inguinal herniorrhaphy and has made the incision.
Which retractor should be passed to retract the superficial tissue?
A) Harrington
B) Bookwalter
C) Senn
,D) Army-Navy
Answer: D
Rationale: The Army-Navy retractor is a hand-held, double-ended retractor ideal
for retracting superficial layers in medium-depth incisions like hernia repairs .
3. During an ORIF of an extremity, what is important to verify with the surgeon
besides the plate selection?
A) The type and size of screws
B) How many sutures are needed
C) If graft material is needed
D) The setting for the ESU
Answer: A
Rationale: While plate selection is key, the screw type (cortical vs. cancellous),
size (length/diameter), and driver must match the plate and bone quality .
4. A surgical technologist is preparing the room for a bariatric abdominal case.
Which self-retaining retractor system provides the best exposure for deep, large
abdomens?
A) Balfour
B) Bookwalter
C) O'Connor-O'Sullivan
D) Weitlaner
Answer: B
Rationale: The Bookwalter is a table-fixed, self-retaining system designed for
deep, large abdomens. A Balfour is lighter, and the O'Connor-O'Sullivan is for
pelvic surgery .
5. A patient scheduled for a right total nephrectomy should be positioned in which
position?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Left lateral
D) Right lateral
Answer: C
Rationale: For a right total nephrectomy, the patient is positioned in the left lateral
position to provide access to the right kidney .
6. A patient has flat lined with a steady flow of blood pumping from a small, one-
inch self-inflicted stab wound to the groin. Which items should the surgical
technologist have ready for the surgeon? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
,A) Yankauer suction
B) Lap sponges
C) Raytec sponges
D) Frazier suction
E) Knife blade
Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Active bleeding requires a large-bore suction like the Yankauer, lap
sponges for packing/mopping, and a knife blade to extend the incision for vascular
control .
7. The circulating nurse notices that the patient is actively bleeding from one of
the operative sites and the surgeon has left the room. Which action should the
surgical technologist take?
A) Break scrub and inform the surgeon.
B) Remain in gown and gloves and apply pressure.
C) Break scrub and monitor the sterile field.
D) Open a new sterile field for the patient.
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist should remain sterile and apply pressure to the
bleeding site to maintain hemostasis until the surgeon returns, rather than breaking
scrub .
8. What is the minimum percentage level of humidity required in the OR suite to
reduce static electricity?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: A minimum humidity level of 20% is required in the OR to reduce the
risk of static electricity and subsequent fire hazards .
9. An 85-year-old patient is in the OR. The surgical technologist should take extra
care to ensure what?
A) Use a warming blanket
B) All bony prominences are sufficiently padded
C) Only use a safety strap
D) The OR bed is in reverse Trendelenburg
Answer: B
, Rationale: Elderly patients are at risk for pressure ulcers from the hard OR table
due to fragile skin and conditions like diabetes or poor circulation. Bony
prominences must be carefully padded .
10. Where should the safety strap be placed when securing a patient in the supine
position?
A) Across the chest
B) Above the knees
C) Across the thighs and calves
D) Over the abdomen
Answer: C
Rationale: The safety strap should be placed across the posterior aspect of the
thighs and calves to secure the patient without impeding chest expansion or
circulation .
11. The surgeon requests a non-absorbable suture for skin closure. Which is non-
absorbable?
A) Vicryl
B) Chromic
C) Plain Gut
D) Nylon
Answer: D
Rationale: Nylon is a synthetic, non-absorbable monofilament suture. Vicryl,
chromic, and plain gut are all absorbable sutures .
12. During a colon resection, an endo GIA stapler misfires. Where should the
surgical technologist bring it after surgery?
A) Biomed
B) Decontamination area
C) Central Supply
D) Biohazard waste
Answer: A
Rationale: Malfunctioning powered equipment or staplers must be sent to
Biomedical Engineering (Biomed) for evaluation and repair reporting .
13. The circulator pours unverified fluids onto the field and states they are correct.
What should the surgical technologist do?
A) Proceed with the fluids
B) Label the fluid immediately
C) Discard the fluid and request new bottles
