NCCT TECH IN SURGERY (TS-C)
PRACTICE TEST 2026 UPDATE 100
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
GRADE A+ | UPDATED FOR 2026–2027
STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE (QUESTIONS
1–20)
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
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. Which principle is most important when establishing a sterile
field?
A) Sterile fields remain sterile indefinitely
B) Items below waist level are sterile
C) Any moisture crossing a sterile barrier is considered
contamination
D) Sterile gloves eliminate the need for aseptic technique
Rationale: Moisture crossing a sterile barrier is considered
contamination because fluid can wick microorganisms from non-
sterile surfaces through the barrier into the sterile field.
3. Before a surgical procedure begins, the surgical technologist
performs the initial count of sponges, sharps, and instruments with
which team member?
A) Surgeon
B) Circulating nurse
C) Anesthesia provider
D) First assistant
Rationale: The initial count is performed by the surgical technologist
and the circulating nurse together. This two-person count ensures
accuracy and accountability for all items on the sterile field.
4. Which sterilization method is most commonly used for heat-
stable surgical instruments?
,A) Steam sterilization under pressure (autoclaving)
B) Ultraviolet light
C) Alcohol immersion
D) Dry towel storage
Rationale: Steam sterilization under pressure (autoclaving) is the most
common and reliable method for sterilizing heat-stable surgical
instruments. It uses saturated steam at high temperatures to kill all
microorganisms, including spores.
5. What are the 3 factors needed to achieve steam sterilization?
A) Exposure time, temperature, moisture
B) Pressure, humidity, chemical indicators
C) Temperature, pressure, biological indicators
D) Time, chemical concentration, temperature
Rationale: The three factors needed to achieve steam sterilization are
exposure time, temperature, and moisture (steam). These must be
properly balanced to ensure complete sterilization.
6. The surgical technologist is preparing to retrieve non-
implantable instrumentation from the autoclave. What 3 indicators
must be inspected?
A) Steam indicator turned, desired temperature met, required time
of exposure met
B) Biological indicator, chemical indicator, physical indicator
, C) External indicator, internal indicator, load number
D) Temperature, pressure, humidity
Rationale: When retrieving non-implantable instrumentation from the
autoclave, the surgical technologist must inspect the steam indicator,
ensure the desired temperature was met, and confirm the required
time of exposure was met.
7. What 3 things should every package intended for sterilization
include?
A) Load-control number, date of sterilization, cycle or load number
B) Date of sterilization, expiration date, load number
C) Operator initials, biological indicator, chemical indicator
D) Load-control number, operator initials, expiration date
Rationale: Every package intended for sterilization should include a
load-control number, the date of sterilization, and the cycle or load
number to ensure proper tracking and documentation.
8. Which of the following is the primary chemical sterilization
compound used to sterilize endoscopic instrumentation and scopes
during liquid chemical sterilization?
A) Phenolic compound
B) Peracetic acid
C) Sodium hypochlorite
D) Quaternary ammonium
PRACTICE TEST 2026 UPDATE 100
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
GRADE A+ | UPDATED FOR 2026–2027
STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE (QUESTIONS
1–20)
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
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. Which principle is most important when establishing a sterile
field?
A) Sterile fields remain sterile indefinitely
B) Items below waist level are sterile
C) Any moisture crossing a sterile barrier is considered
contamination
D) Sterile gloves eliminate the need for aseptic technique
Rationale: Moisture crossing a sterile barrier is considered
contamination because fluid can wick microorganisms from non-
sterile surfaces through the barrier into the sterile field.
3. Before a surgical procedure begins, the surgical technologist
performs the initial count of sponges, sharps, and instruments with
which team member?
A) Surgeon
B) Circulating nurse
C) Anesthesia provider
D) First assistant
Rationale: The initial count is performed by the surgical technologist
and the circulating nurse together. This two-person count ensures
accuracy and accountability for all items on the sterile field.
4. Which sterilization method is most commonly used for heat-
stable surgical instruments?
,A) Steam sterilization under pressure (autoclaving)
B) Ultraviolet light
C) Alcohol immersion
D) Dry towel storage
Rationale: Steam sterilization under pressure (autoclaving) is the most
common and reliable method for sterilizing heat-stable surgical
instruments. It uses saturated steam at high temperatures to kill all
microorganisms, including spores.
5. What are the 3 factors needed to achieve steam sterilization?
A) Exposure time, temperature, moisture
B) Pressure, humidity, chemical indicators
C) Temperature, pressure, biological indicators
D) Time, chemical concentration, temperature
Rationale: The three factors needed to achieve steam sterilization are
exposure time, temperature, and moisture (steam). These must be
properly balanced to ensure complete sterilization.
6. The surgical technologist is preparing to retrieve non-
implantable instrumentation from the autoclave. What 3 indicators
must be inspected?
A) Steam indicator turned, desired temperature met, required time
of exposure met
B) Biological indicator, chemical indicator, physical indicator
, C) External indicator, internal indicator, load number
D) Temperature, pressure, humidity
Rationale: When retrieving non-implantable instrumentation from the
autoclave, the surgical technologist must inspect the steam indicator,
ensure the desired temperature was met, and confirm the required
time of exposure was met.
7. What 3 things should every package intended for sterilization
include?
A) Load-control number, date of sterilization, cycle or load number
B) Date of sterilization, expiration date, load number
C) Operator initials, biological indicator, chemical indicator
D) Load-control number, operator initials, expiration date
Rationale: Every package intended for sterilization should include a
load-control number, the date of sterilization, and the cycle or load
number to ensure proper tracking and documentation.
8. Which of the following is the primary chemical sterilization
compound used to sterilize endoscopic instrumentation and scopes
during liquid chemical sterilization?
A) Phenolic compound
B) Peracetic acid
C) Sodium hypochlorite
D) Quaternary ammonium
