CST Exam 2026 Test Bank With Questions And
Correct Verified Answers/ NBSTSA CST Exam 2026/
CST – Certified Surgical Technologist Certification
Exam Prep Test Bank 2026(Brand New!)
,1. During a surgical procedure, the scrub person notices
that a sterile instrument has fallen below the level of the
sterile field. What is the MOST appropriate action?
A. Return the instrument to the field after wiping it with
sterile gauze.
B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from
the sterile field.
C. Ask the circulator to verify whether contamination
occurred.
D. Place the instrument in a separate area and use it only if
necessary.
Correct Answer: B. Consider the instrument
contaminated and remove it from the sterile field.
Rationale: An item that falls below the established sterile-
field level is considered contaminated. It should not be
returned to the sterile field, even if it appears clean.
2. During the surgical count, the scrub person and
circulator disagree about the number of sponges present.
What should occur FIRST?
,A. Close the incision because the surgeon has completed the
procedure.
B. Repeat the count and immediately communicate the
discrepancy to the surgical team.
C. Assume the scrub person's count is correct.
D. Document the discrepancy after the patient leaves the
operating room.
Correct Answer: B. Repeat the count and immediately
communicate the discrepancy to the surgical team.
Rationale: A count discrepancy must be treated seriously.
The count should be repeated, and the surgeon should be
informed promptly so appropriate steps can be taken to locate
the missing item before closure whenever possible.
3. A patient develops malignant hyperthermia during
surgery. Which medication should the surgical team
anticipate administering?
A. Epinephrine
B. Dantrolene
, C. Protamine
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: B. Dantrolene
Rationale: Dantrolene is the specific medication used to treat
malignant hyperthermia. Treatment also includes
discontinuing triggering anesthetic agents, providing
supportive measures, and aggressively managing
hyperthermia and metabolic abnormalities.
4. Which finding is MOST concerning for an early
developing malignant hyperthermia crisis?
A. Bradycardia
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide
D. Decreased muscle tone
Correct Answer: C. Increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide
Rationale: A rapidly increasing ETCO₂ can be an early and
important sign of malignant hyperthermia, reflecting increased
Correct Verified Answers/ NBSTSA CST Exam 2026/
CST – Certified Surgical Technologist Certification
Exam Prep Test Bank 2026(Brand New!)
,1. During a surgical procedure, the scrub person notices
that a sterile instrument has fallen below the level of the
sterile field. What is the MOST appropriate action?
A. Return the instrument to the field after wiping it with
sterile gauze.
B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from
the sterile field.
C. Ask the circulator to verify whether contamination
occurred.
D. Place the instrument in a separate area and use it only if
necessary.
Correct Answer: B. Consider the instrument
contaminated and remove it from the sterile field.
Rationale: An item that falls below the established sterile-
field level is considered contaminated. It should not be
returned to the sterile field, even if it appears clean.
2. During the surgical count, the scrub person and
circulator disagree about the number of sponges present.
What should occur FIRST?
,A. Close the incision because the surgeon has completed the
procedure.
B. Repeat the count and immediately communicate the
discrepancy to the surgical team.
C. Assume the scrub person's count is correct.
D. Document the discrepancy after the patient leaves the
operating room.
Correct Answer: B. Repeat the count and immediately
communicate the discrepancy to the surgical team.
Rationale: A count discrepancy must be treated seriously.
The count should be repeated, and the surgeon should be
informed promptly so appropriate steps can be taken to locate
the missing item before closure whenever possible.
3. A patient develops malignant hyperthermia during
surgery. Which medication should the surgical team
anticipate administering?
A. Epinephrine
B. Dantrolene
, C. Protamine
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: B. Dantrolene
Rationale: Dantrolene is the specific medication used to treat
malignant hyperthermia. Treatment also includes
discontinuing triggering anesthetic agents, providing
supportive measures, and aggressively managing
hyperthermia and metabolic abnormalities.
4. Which finding is MOST concerning for an early
developing malignant hyperthermia crisis?
A. Bradycardia
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide
D. Decreased muscle tone
Correct Answer: C. Increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide
Rationale: A rapidly increasing ETCO₂ can be an early and
important sign of malignant hyperthermia, reflecting increased
