TS-C Tech in Surgery Certified Exam 2026 Latest
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions
Surgical Technology Review, Detailed Rationales, Verified
Answers, Success Workbook
QUESTION 1
A surgical technologist is preparing the operating room for a scheduled procedure.
Which of the following is the FIRST step in preparing the sterile field?
A) Open the sterile gown and gloves onto the field
B) Open the sterile back table pack onto the back table
C) Perform a surgical hand scrub
D) Don a sterile gown and gloves
ANSWER: B) Open the sterile back table pack onto the back table
RATIONALE: The first step in preparing the sterile field is to open the sterile
back table pack onto the back table. The back table serves as the foundation for the
sterile field. The technologist should open the pack away from themselves,
touching only the outer wrapper. The surgical hand scrub (C) and gowning/gloving
(A, D) occur after the field is established.
QUESTION 2
A patient scheduled for a surgical procedure has a documented allergy to latex.
Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take?
A) Use standard latex gloves and instruments
B) Verify that all supplies in the room are latex-free and label the room
appropriately
C) Request that the patient take an antihistamine before surgery
D) Use latex gloves but double-glove
ANSWER: B) Verify that all supplies in the room are latex-free and label the
room appropriately
RATIONALE: For a patient with a documented latex allergy, all supplies in the
room must be latex-free, and the room should be appropriately labeled. This
,includes latex-free gloves, drapes, catheters, and other supplies. Patient safety is
the top priority. Using latex products (A, D) could trigger an anaphylactic reaction.
Antihistamines (C) are not sufficient to prevent a severe allergic reaction to latex.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for performing a surgical hand
scrub?
A) Clean under fingernails, wash arms to elbows, rinse hands first, then arms
B) Wash hands and arms to elbows, clean under fingernails, rinse from fingertips
to elbows
C) Clean under fingernails, wash hands to elbows, rinse from fingertips to elbows
D) Wash hands only, rinse, and proceed to gowning
ANSWER: C) Clean under fingernails, wash hands to elbows, rinse from
fingertips to elbows
RATIONALE: The correct sequence for a surgical hand scrub is: (1) clean under
the fingernails with a disposable pick, (2) wash hands and arms up to the elbows
using the prescribed scrub technique, and (3) rinse from the fingertips to the
elbows, allowing water to drip off the elbows. This sequence ensures that the
cleanest areas (hands) are not contaminated by water running from the elbows.
QUESTION 4
A surgical technologist is opening sterile supplies onto the back table. Which of
the following actions would compromise the sterile field?
A) Opening the inner wrapper away from the body
B) Reaching over the sterile field to place an item
C) Opening the sterile package on a surface at waist level
D) Allowing a 1-inch margin around the sterile field
ANSWER: B) Reaching over the sterile field to place an item
RATIONALE: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it because the
technologist's non-sterile arms pass over the sterile area. Sterile packages should be
opened away from the body (A) and at waist level (C). A 1-inch margin around the
,sterile field is considered contaminated (D), but reaching over the field is an active
break in sterile technique.
QUESTION 5
The surgical "Time Out" is performed to:
A) Allow the surgical team to take a break before the procedure
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and availability of implants/special
equipment
C) Review the patient's medical history
D) Check the sterilization indicators on all instruments
ANSWER: B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and availability of
implants/special equipment
RATIONALE: The surgical "Time Out" is a critical safety check performed
immediately before the incision to verify the correct patient, correct procedure,
correct site/side, and the availability of any implants or special equipment. This is a
standard patient safety protocol to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient, and wrong-
procedure errors. It is not a break (A), a medical history review (C), or an
instrument check (D).
QUESTION 6
When preparing the operating room environment for a surgical procedure, the
temperature should typically be maintained at:
A) 60-65°F
B) 68-73°F
C) 75-80°F
D) 85-90°F
ANSWER: B) 68-73°F
RATIONALE: The operating room temperature should typically be maintained at
68-73°F (20-23°C). This temperature range helps prevent patient hypothermia
while maintaining a comfortable environment for the surgical team who are
wearing sterile gowns. Specific procedures may require temperature adjustments
(e.g., burn patients may need warmer rooms).
, QUESTION 7
Which of the following patients would be considered a special population requiring
additional safety considerations?
A) A 35-year-old male with no significant medical history
B) A 72-year-old female with osteoarthritis
C) A 45-year-old female with a history of smoking
D) A 28-year-old male with a family history of heart disease
ANSWER: B) A 72-year-old female with osteoarthritis
RATIONALE: Geriatric patients (and pediatric, bariatric, and immune-
compromised patients) are considered special populations requiring additional
safety considerations. The elderly patient may have decreased skin integrity,
altered drug metabolism, and increased risk of hypothermia and pressure injuries.
Osteoarthritis may affect positioning and mobility.
QUESTION 8
A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field. Which of the following
indicates a break in sterile technique that must be corrected?
A) A sterile item falls below the level of the table
B) The sterile field is set up 15 minutes before the procedure
C) The sterile drape is placed over the patient's entire body
D) The back table is positioned against the wall
ANSWER: A) A sterile item falls below the level of the table
RATIONALE: Any sterile item that falls below the level of the sterile field
(below waist level) is considered contaminated. The sterile field must be
maintained at or above waist level. Setting up the field 15 minutes before the
procedure (B) is acceptable if it is covered. The sterile drape (C) should cover the
patient appropriately. The back table (D) should be positioned to allow access.
QUESTION 9
The surgical technologist should perform the initial count with the circulating
nurse at which time?
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions
Surgical Technology Review, Detailed Rationales, Verified
Answers, Success Workbook
QUESTION 1
A surgical technologist is preparing the operating room for a scheduled procedure.
Which of the following is the FIRST step in preparing the sterile field?
A) Open the sterile gown and gloves onto the field
B) Open the sterile back table pack onto the back table
C) Perform a surgical hand scrub
D) Don a sterile gown and gloves
ANSWER: B) Open the sterile back table pack onto the back table
RATIONALE: The first step in preparing the sterile field is to open the sterile
back table pack onto the back table. The back table serves as the foundation for the
sterile field. The technologist should open the pack away from themselves,
touching only the outer wrapper. The surgical hand scrub (C) and gowning/gloving
(A, D) occur after the field is established.
QUESTION 2
A patient scheduled for a surgical procedure has a documented allergy to latex.
Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take?
A) Use standard latex gloves and instruments
B) Verify that all supplies in the room are latex-free and label the room
appropriately
C) Request that the patient take an antihistamine before surgery
D) Use latex gloves but double-glove
ANSWER: B) Verify that all supplies in the room are latex-free and label the
room appropriately
RATIONALE: For a patient with a documented latex allergy, all supplies in the
room must be latex-free, and the room should be appropriately labeled. This
,includes latex-free gloves, drapes, catheters, and other supplies. Patient safety is
the top priority. Using latex products (A, D) could trigger an anaphylactic reaction.
Antihistamines (C) are not sufficient to prevent a severe allergic reaction to latex.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for performing a surgical hand
scrub?
A) Clean under fingernails, wash arms to elbows, rinse hands first, then arms
B) Wash hands and arms to elbows, clean under fingernails, rinse from fingertips
to elbows
C) Clean under fingernails, wash hands to elbows, rinse from fingertips to elbows
D) Wash hands only, rinse, and proceed to gowning
ANSWER: C) Clean under fingernails, wash hands to elbows, rinse from
fingertips to elbows
RATIONALE: The correct sequence for a surgical hand scrub is: (1) clean under
the fingernails with a disposable pick, (2) wash hands and arms up to the elbows
using the prescribed scrub technique, and (3) rinse from the fingertips to the
elbows, allowing water to drip off the elbows. This sequence ensures that the
cleanest areas (hands) are not contaminated by water running from the elbows.
QUESTION 4
A surgical technologist is opening sterile supplies onto the back table. Which of
the following actions would compromise the sterile field?
A) Opening the inner wrapper away from the body
B) Reaching over the sterile field to place an item
C) Opening the sterile package on a surface at waist level
D) Allowing a 1-inch margin around the sterile field
ANSWER: B) Reaching over the sterile field to place an item
RATIONALE: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it because the
technologist's non-sterile arms pass over the sterile area. Sterile packages should be
opened away from the body (A) and at waist level (C). A 1-inch margin around the
,sterile field is considered contaminated (D), but reaching over the field is an active
break in sterile technique.
QUESTION 5
The surgical "Time Out" is performed to:
A) Allow the surgical team to take a break before the procedure
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and availability of implants/special
equipment
C) Review the patient's medical history
D) Check the sterilization indicators on all instruments
ANSWER: B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and availability of
implants/special equipment
RATIONALE: The surgical "Time Out" is a critical safety check performed
immediately before the incision to verify the correct patient, correct procedure,
correct site/side, and the availability of any implants or special equipment. This is a
standard patient safety protocol to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient, and wrong-
procedure errors. It is not a break (A), a medical history review (C), or an
instrument check (D).
QUESTION 6
When preparing the operating room environment for a surgical procedure, the
temperature should typically be maintained at:
A) 60-65°F
B) 68-73°F
C) 75-80°F
D) 85-90°F
ANSWER: B) 68-73°F
RATIONALE: The operating room temperature should typically be maintained at
68-73°F (20-23°C). This temperature range helps prevent patient hypothermia
while maintaining a comfortable environment for the surgical team who are
wearing sterile gowns. Specific procedures may require temperature adjustments
(e.g., burn patients may need warmer rooms).
, QUESTION 7
Which of the following patients would be considered a special population requiring
additional safety considerations?
A) A 35-year-old male with no significant medical history
B) A 72-year-old female with osteoarthritis
C) A 45-year-old female with a history of smoking
D) A 28-year-old male with a family history of heart disease
ANSWER: B) A 72-year-old female with osteoarthritis
RATIONALE: Geriatric patients (and pediatric, bariatric, and immune-
compromised patients) are considered special populations requiring additional
safety considerations. The elderly patient may have decreased skin integrity,
altered drug metabolism, and increased risk of hypothermia and pressure injuries.
Osteoarthritis may affect positioning and mobility.
QUESTION 8
A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field. Which of the following
indicates a break in sterile technique that must be corrected?
A) A sterile item falls below the level of the table
B) The sterile field is set up 15 minutes before the procedure
C) The sterile drape is placed over the patient's entire body
D) The back table is positioned against the wall
ANSWER: A) A sterile item falls below the level of the table
RATIONALE: Any sterile item that falls below the level of the sterile field
(below waist level) is considered contaminated. The sterile field must be
maintained at or above waist level. Setting up the field 15 minutes before the
procedure (B) is acceptable if it is covered. The sterile drape (C) should cover the
patient appropriately. The back table (D) should be positioned to allow access.
QUESTION 9
The surgical technologist should perform the initial count with the circulating
nurse at which time?
