Latest NCCT Surgical Tech Practice Questions with verified answers
and rationales 2026/2027 version
1. The surgical technologist is preparing for a laparoscopic assisted vaginal
hysterectomy. Which of the following equipment is needed for the procedure?
A. endoscopic retrieval bag
B. harmonic scalpel
C. endoscopic GIA
D. Alexis retractor
Answer: B. harmonic scalpel
Rationale: A harmonic scalpel is often used in laparoscopic procedures like a LAVH for
precise dissection and hemostasis with minimal thermal spread.
2. Which of the following positioning equipment is needed when preparing to do a
posterior spinal fusion of the T3-L2 range?
A. Wilson frame
B. Mayfield head frame
C. bean bag
D. fracture table
Answer: A. Wilson frame
Rationale: A Wilson frame is used to position a patient in the prone position for spinal
surgery. It allows for abdominal decompression and reduces venous bleeding.
3. A patient is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. Which item is necessary to
occlude blood flow during the procedure?
A. Coban
B. stockinette
C. tourniquet
D. Esmark
Answer: C. tourniquet
Rationale: A pneumatic tourniquet is applied to the proximal thigh to occlude blood
flow, creating a bloodless surgical field during a total knee arthroplasty.
,4. Which of the following retractors should the surgical technologist prepare for a cleft-
palate repair procedure?
A. Greenfield
B. Jennings
C. Lonestar
D. Mayfield
Answer: B. Jennings
Rationale: A Jennings retractor is a specialized mouth gag used in cleft palate repairs to
retract the tongue and provide exposure to the palate.
5. The surgical technologist is preparing for a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following surgical equipment is needed for this case? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.)
A. ESU
B. lateral positioning devices
C. pneumatic tourniquet
D. power drill
E. stirrup leg positioners
Answer: A. ESU, B. lateral positioning devices, D. power drill
Rationale: A total hip arthroplasty requires an ESU for cautery, lateral positioning
devices to stabilize the patient, and a power drill for reaming and preparing the bone. A
tourniquet is not typically used, and stirrups are for the lithotomy position.
6. The patient is in lithotomy position with Allen stirrups. Which of the following
procedures is the patient most likely undergoing?
A. mastectomy
B. colon resection
C. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
D. LAVH
Answer: D. LAVH
Rationale: The lithotomy position, using Allen stirrups, is standard for pelvic surgeries
like a Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH).
,7. Which patient positioning item should be tested prior to the patient arriving in the
OR?
A. candy cane
B. yellow fin
C. peg board
D. bean bag
Answer: D. bean bag
Rationale: A bean bag positioning device should be tested before the patient arrives to
ensure it holds suction and conforms correctly for the planned surgical position.
8. In an appendectomy where the patient is morbidly obese, which of the following self-
retaining retractors is most appropriate to have on the sterile field?
A. O'Sullivan-O'Connor
B. Balfour
C. Weitlaner
D. Gelpi
Answer: B. Balfour
Rationale: A Balfour retractor is a self-retaining retractor used for deep abdominal
incisions, making it suitable for a morbidly obese patient undergoing an appendectomy
to provide optimal exposure.
9. For which of the following surgical procedures is the beach chair attachment most
commonly used?
A. shoulder arthroscopy
B. knee arthroscopy
C. radical nephrectomy
D. parathyroidectomy
Answer: A. shoulder arthroscopy
Rationale: The beach chair position is the standard position for shoulder arthroscopy,
allowing the surgeon optimal access to the glenohumeral joint.
, 10. If a patient is in prone position, which of the following areas need to be padded for
pressure points? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. neck
B. feet
C. knees
D. chest
E. thighs
Answer: B. feet, C. knees, E. thighs
Rationale: In the prone position, pressure points like the knees, feet, and thighs require
padding to prevent nerve damage and skin breakdown.
11. Which of the following is the proper placement for the safety belt in the supine
position?
A. two inches distal to the knees
B. two inches proximal to the knees
C. around the abdomen
D. across the knees
Answer: B. two inches proximal to the knees
Rationale: The safety belt should be placed approximately 2 inches above the knees to
secure the patient without restricting breathing or compromising circulation.
12. Which of the following positions requires the use of a bean bag?
A. supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. lateral
D. lithotomy
Answer: C. lateral
Rationale: The lateral position often uses a bean bag to support and stabilize the
patient's torso, especially during kidney or thoracic surgeries.
and rationales 2026/2027 version
1. The surgical technologist is preparing for a laparoscopic assisted vaginal
hysterectomy. Which of the following equipment is needed for the procedure?
A. endoscopic retrieval bag
B. harmonic scalpel
C. endoscopic GIA
D. Alexis retractor
Answer: B. harmonic scalpel
Rationale: A harmonic scalpel is often used in laparoscopic procedures like a LAVH for
precise dissection and hemostasis with minimal thermal spread.
2. Which of the following positioning equipment is needed when preparing to do a
posterior spinal fusion of the T3-L2 range?
A. Wilson frame
B. Mayfield head frame
C. bean bag
D. fracture table
Answer: A. Wilson frame
Rationale: A Wilson frame is used to position a patient in the prone position for spinal
surgery. It allows for abdominal decompression and reduces venous bleeding.
3. A patient is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. Which item is necessary to
occlude blood flow during the procedure?
A. Coban
B. stockinette
C. tourniquet
D. Esmark
Answer: C. tourniquet
Rationale: A pneumatic tourniquet is applied to the proximal thigh to occlude blood
flow, creating a bloodless surgical field during a total knee arthroplasty.
,4. Which of the following retractors should the surgical technologist prepare for a cleft-
palate repair procedure?
A. Greenfield
B. Jennings
C. Lonestar
D. Mayfield
Answer: B. Jennings
Rationale: A Jennings retractor is a specialized mouth gag used in cleft palate repairs to
retract the tongue and provide exposure to the palate.
5. The surgical technologist is preparing for a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following surgical equipment is needed for this case? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.)
A. ESU
B. lateral positioning devices
C. pneumatic tourniquet
D. power drill
E. stirrup leg positioners
Answer: A. ESU, B. lateral positioning devices, D. power drill
Rationale: A total hip arthroplasty requires an ESU for cautery, lateral positioning
devices to stabilize the patient, and a power drill for reaming and preparing the bone. A
tourniquet is not typically used, and stirrups are for the lithotomy position.
6. The patient is in lithotomy position with Allen stirrups. Which of the following
procedures is the patient most likely undergoing?
A. mastectomy
B. colon resection
C. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
D. LAVH
Answer: D. LAVH
Rationale: The lithotomy position, using Allen stirrups, is standard for pelvic surgeries
like a Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH).
,7. Which patient positioning item should be tested prior to the patient arriving in the
OR?
A. candy cane
B. yellow fin
C. peg board
D. bean bag
Answer: D. bean bag
Rationale: A bean bag positioning device should be tested before the patient arrives to
ensure it holds suction and conforms correctly for the planned surgical position.
8. In an appendectomy where the patient is morbidly obese, which of the following self-
retaining retractors is most appropriate to have on the sterile field?
A. O'Sullivan-O'Connor
B. Balfour
C. Weitlaner
D. Gelpi
Answer: B. Balfour
Rationale: A Balfour retractor is a self-retaining retractor used for deep abdominal
incisions, making it suitable for a morbidly obese patient undergoing an appendectomy
to provide optimal exposure.
9. For which of the following surgical procedures is the beach chair attachment most
commonly used?
A. shoulder arthroscopy
B. knee arthroscopy
C. radical nephrectomy
D. parathyroidectomy
Answer: A. shoulder arthroscopy
Rationale: The beach chair position is the standard position for shoulder arthroscopy,
allowing the surgeon optimal access to the glenohumeral joint.
, 10. If a patient is in prone position, which of the following areas need to be padded for
pressure points? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. neck
B. feet
C. knees
D. chest
E. thighs
Answer: B. feet, C. knees, E. thighs
Rationale: In the prone position, pressure points like the knees, feet, and thighs require
padding to prevent nerve damage and skin breakdown.
11. Which of the following is the proper placement for the safety belt in the supine
position?
A. two inches distal to the knees
B. two inches proximal to the knees
C. around the abdomen
D. across the knees
Answer: B. two inches proximal to the knees
Rationale: The safety belt should be placed approximately 2 inches above the knees to
secure the patient without restricting breathing or compromising circulation.
12. Which of the following positions requires the use of a bean bag?
A. supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. lateral
D. lithotomy
Answer: C. lateral
Rationale: The lateral position often uses a bean bag to support and stabilize the
patient's torso, especially during kidney or thoracic surgeries.
