Page 1 of 206
NCCT TECH IN SURGERY – CERTIFIED
PRACTICE EXAM*** QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE 2026/2027
While setting up for an ophthalmic case to remove a
cataract when the surgical tech accidentally gouges
him/herself in the knuckle with the keratome. The surgical
tech knows the small blade penetrated their glove, but it
doesn't appear to be bleeding. What is the correct action
they should take?
A. Get rid of the contaminated keratome and have the
nurse open another one, and continue on with the case
since no one else was injured.
B. Continue with the case without the keratome, submit
an incident report about the injury at the end of the day.
C. Swap your glove and the keratome, submit an incident
report if the wound becomes infected within two days.
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D. Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have
another tech scrub the case with a new keratome while
you and the circulator make an incident report.
Correct response:
Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have another
tech scrub the case with a new keratome while you and
the circulator make an incident report.
Rationale: Assess the injury. Managing injuries involves
two key components: the injury is immediately reported
and the individual is given medical treatment appropriate
to the injury and risk of infection or disease. The other
options imply the tech is assuming the injury is minor and
just doing what is necessary to move on with the case,
they also manifest that the incident report can/should be
delayed or may not be necessary at all, which are
incorrect assumptions.
Where should the electrosurgical pencil (Bovie) be placed
when not in use?
,Page 3 of 206
A. Wherever the surgeon leaves it.
B. In the pocket of the surgical drape.
C. In the approved holster.
D. Next to the surgical site.
Correct response:
In the approved holster.
Rationale: The electrosurgical pencil should be placed in
its designated holster when not in use. The holster
provides a safe and secure place to store the pencil,
reducing the risk of accidental activation or
contamination. Leaving the electrosurgical pencil (Bovie)
wherever the surgeon places it can create safety hazards,
including potential burns or accidental activation. Placing
the electrosurgical pencil in the pocket of the surgical
drape is unsafe and not a proper storage location, as it
could lead to contamination or damage. Placing the
electrosurgical pencil next to the surgical site can be
hazardous, as it could accidentally touch the patient or
become contaminated.
, Page 4 of 206
1. What parts of the operating room (OR) table need to be
cleaned during a terminal cleaning (end-of-day)?
A. Surface, attachments, base, and wheels
B. Surface only
C. Surface and attachments used
D. Surface, attachments, and base
Correct response:
Surface, attachments, base, and wheels
Rationale: Surface, attachments, base, and wheels. It is
important to be thorough during any cleaning of the OR,
but a terminal clean should be doubly so. Some cases are
messier than others, and it's possible for blood and
bioburden to become trapped in crevices and within the
wheels of the bed.
NCCT TECH IN SURGERY – CERTIFIED
PRACTICE EXAM*** QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE 2026/2027
While setting up for an ophthalmic case to remove a
cataract when the surgical tech accidentally gouges
him/herself in the knuckle with the keratome. The surgical
tech knows the small blade penetrated their glove, but it
doesn't appear to be bleeding. What is the correct action
they should take?
A. Get rid of the contaminated keratome and have the
nurse open another one, and continue on with the case
since no one else was injured.
B. Continue with the case without the keratome, submit
an incident report about the injury at the end of the day.
C. Swap your glove and the keratome, submit an incident
report if the wound becomes infected within two days.
,Page 2 of 206
D. Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have
another tech scrub the case with a new keratome while
you and the circulator make an incident report.
Correct response:
Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have another
tech scrub the case with a new keratome while you and
the circulator make an incident report.
Rationale: Assess the injury. Managing injuries involves
two key components: the injury is immediately reported
and the individual is given medical treatment appropriate
to the injury and risk of infection or disease. The other
options imply the tech is assuming the injury is minor and
just doing what is necessary to move on with the case,
they also manifest that the incident report can/should be
delayed or may not be necessary at all, which are
incorrect assumptions.
Where should the electrosurgical pencil (Bovie) be placed
when not in use?
,Page 3 of 206
A. Wherever the surgeon leaves it.
B. In the pocket of the surgical drape.
C. In the approved holster.
D. Next to the surgical site.
Correct response:
In the approved holster.
Rationale: The electrosurgical pencil should be placed in
its designated holster when not in use. The holster
provides a safe and secure place to store the pencil,
reducing the risk of accidental activation or
contamination. Leaving the electrosurgical pencil (Bovie)
wherever the surgeon places it can create safety hazards,
including potential burns or accidental activation. Placing
the electrosurgical pencil in the pocket of the surgical
drape is unsafe and not a proper storage location, as it
could lead to contamination or damage. Placing the
electrosurgical pencil next to the surgical site can be
hazardous, as it could accidentally touch the patient or
become contaminated.
, Page 4 of 206
1. What parts of the operating room (OR) table need to be
cleaned during a terminal cleaning (end-of-day)?
A. Surface, attachments, base, and wheels
B. Surface only
C. Surface and attachments used
D. Surface, attachments, and base
Correct response:
Surface, attachments, base, and wheels
Rationale: Surface, attachments, base, and wheels. It is
important to be thorough during any cleaning of the OR,
but a terminal clean should be doubly so. Some cases are
messier than others, and it's possible for blood and
bioburden to become trapped in crevices and within the
wheels of the bed.
