NCCT SURGICAL TECH (TS-C) COMPLETE
REVIEW STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE
OUTLINE 100 QUESTIONS VERIFIED
ANSWERS | NEWEST 2026–2027
STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE (QUESTIONS
1–20)
1. Which sterilization method uses saturated steam at 121°C for 15–
30 minutes?
A) Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization
B) Steam sterilization (autoclaving)
C) Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
D) Dry heat sterilization
Rationale: Steam sterilization (autoclaving) uses saturated steam
under pressure at 121°C for 15–30 minutes (or 132°C for 3–10
minutes) to kill all microorganisms, including spores. This is the most
common and reliable sterilization method in the OR.
,2. Which of the following is the correct sequence for the surgical
hand scrub?
A) Clean nails, wash hands, rinse, dry
B) Wash hands, clean nails, rinse, dry
C) Wash hands, clean nails, wash hands and arms, rinse, dry
D) Clean nails, wash hands and arms, rinse, dry
Rationale: The proper sequence for the surgical hand scrub is: wash
hands and arms, clean subungual areas, wash hands and arms again
with antimicrobial agent, rinse thoroughly, and dry with sterile towels.
This two-stage process reduces transient and resident flora.
3. A surgical technologist opens a sterile wrapped package and
notices the external chemical indicator has not changed color. What
is the correct action?
A) Use the contents; the indicator may be defective
B) Consider the package unsterile and obtain a new one
C) Test the contents with a biological indicator
D) Use the contents but document the indicator failure
Rationale: The external chemical indicator (sterilization tape) must
change color to confirm exposure to sterilization conditions. If it has
not changed, the package should be considered unsterile and must
not be used. A new sterile package should be obtained.
,4. Which of the following is considered the sterile area on the
sterile field?
A) The entire back table
B) Only the area covered by sterile drapes and the top of the back
table within the sterile field
C) The entire operating room
D) Only the instrument tray
Rationale: The sterile field includes the area covered by sterile drapes
and the top of the back table within the designated sterile area. Only
items within this area are considered sterile. The edges of sterile
drapes (1 inch margin) are considered non-sterile.
5. The surgical technologist is preparing a sterile field and notices a
hole in the sterile drape. What is the correct action?
A) Cover the hole with a sterile towel
B) Replace the drape with a new sterile drape
C) Apply sterile tape over the hole
D) Proceed with the procedure; the hole is minor
Rationale: Any breach in the sterile barrier compromises the sterile
field. A hole in a sterile drape allows microorganisms to pass through,
and the drape must be replaced. Covering the hole does not restore
the sterile barrier.
, 6. Which of the following is the correct method for opening a
sterile wrapped package on the back table?
A) Open the package away from the body and toward the back table
B) Open the package by peeling the wrapper back, keeping the
contents sterile
C) Open the package by tearing the wrapper open
D) Open the package with the wrapper touching the sterile field
Rationale: A sterile wrapped package should be opened by peeling
the wrapper back, keeping the contents sterile and avoiding
contamination. The wrapper should not touch the sterile field. The
last flap is opened toward the person opening the package.
7. The surgical technologist drops a sterile instrument on the floor.
What is the correct action?
A) Pick up the instrument and place it back on the sterile field
B) Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
C) Clean the instrument with sterile water and return it to the field
D) Use the instrument for non-critical portions of the procedure
Rationale: Any sterile item that falls to the floor is considered
contaminated and must be discarded. A new sterile instrument must
be obtained. There is no acceptable method to re-sterilize a dropped
instrument in the OR.
REVIEW STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE
OUTLINE 100 QUESTIONS VERIFIED
ANSWERS | NEWEST 2026–2027
STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE (QUESTIONS
1–20)
1. Which sterilization method uses saturated steam at 121°C for 15–
30 minutes?
A) Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization
B) Steam sterilization (autoclaving)
C) Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
D) Dry heat sterilization
Rationale: Steam sterilization (autoclaving) uses saturated steam
under pressure at 121°C for 15–30 minutes (or 132°C for 3–10
minutes) to kill all microorganisms, including spores. This is the most
common and reliable sterilization method in the OR.
,2. Which of the following is the correct sequence for the surgical
hand scrub?
A) Clean nails, wash hands, rinse, dry
B) Wash hands, clean nails, rinse, dry
C) Wash hands, clean nails, wash hands and arms, rinse, dry
D) Clean nails, wash hands and arms, rinse, dry
Rationale: The proper sequence for the surgical hand scrub is: wash
hands and arms, clean subungual areas, wash hands and arms again
with antimicrobial agent, rinse thoroughly, and dry with sterile towels.
This two-stage process reduces transient and resident flora.
3. A surgical technologist opens a sterile wrapped package and
notices the external chemical indicator has not changed color. What
is the correct action?
A) Use the contents; the indicator may be defective
B) Consider the package unsterile and obtain a new one
C) Test the contents with a biological indicator
D) Use the contents but document the indicator failure
Rationale: The external chemical indicator (sterilization tape) must
change color to confirm exposure to sterilization conditions. If it has
not changed, the package should be considered unsterile and must
not be used. A new sterile package should be obtained.
,4. Which of the following is considered the sterile area on the
sterile field?
A) The entire back table
B) Only the area covered by sterile drapes and the top of the back
table within the sterile field
C) The entire operating room
D) Only the instrument tray
Rationale: The sterile field includes the area covered by sterile drapes
and the top of the back table within the designated sterile area. Only
items within this area are considered sterile. The edges of sterile
drapes (1 inch margin) are considered non-sterile.
5. The surgical technologist is preparing a sterile field and notices a
hole in the sterile drape. What is the correct action?
A) Cover the hole with a sterile towel
B) Replace the drape with a new sterile drape
C) Apply sterile tape over the hole
D) Proceed with the procedure; the hole is minor
Rationale: Any breach in the sterile barrier compromises the sterile
field. A hole in a sterile drape allows microorganisms to pass through,
and the drape must be replaced. Covering the hole does not restore
the sterile barrier.
, 6. Which of the following is the correct method for opening a
sterile wrapped package on the back table?
A) Open the package away from the body and toward the back table
B) Open the package by peeling the wrapper back, keeping the
contents sterile
C) Open the package by tearing the wrapper open
D) Open the package with the wrapper touching the sterile field
Rationale: A sterile wrapped package should be opened by peeling
the wrapper back, keeping the contents sterile and avoiding
contamination. The wrapper should not touch the sterile field. The
last flap is opened toward the person opening the package.
7. The surgical technologist drops a sterile instrument on the floor.
What is the correct action?
A) Pick up the instrument and place it back on the sterile field
B) Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
C) Clean the instrument with sterile water and return it to the field
D) Use the instrument for non-critical portions of the procedure
Rationale: Any sterile item that falls to the floor is considered
contaminated and must be discarded. A new sterile instrument must
be obtained. There is no acceptable method to re-sterilize a dropped
instrument in the OR.
