SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SURGICAL
TECHNOLOGIST: A POSITIVE CARE APPROACH
(6TH EDITION) | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION | STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for students and professionals
preparing for rigorous assessments in surgical technology, based on the Association of Surgical
Technologists' 6th Edition textbook. Covering all essential domains—from the history and legal
aspects of the profession to surgical asepsis, pharmacology, instrumentation, and emergency
preparedness—this guide is an essential tool for assessing readiness for the NBSTSA CST
certification exam. The questions reflect the complexity of the actual certification examination,
integrating theoretical knowledge with practical, scenario-based applications. Each question is
accompanied by a detailed explanation to reinforce learning and clarify complex concepts,
ensuring candidates are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of the actual exam.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Surgical Technology and Professional Practice
2. Legal Concepts, Risk Management, and Ethical Issues
3. The Surgical Patient: Perioperative Care and Considerations
4. Physical Environment and Safety Standards
5. Technological Science Concepts and Instrumentation
6. Principles of Microbiology and Infection Control
7. Surgical Asepsis and Sterility: Best Practices and Techniques
8. Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia
9. Emergency Situations and All-Hazards Preparation
10. Surgical Procedures, Positioning, and Wound Classification
,Question 1: Who is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for introducing antiseptic
techniques?
A) Joseph Lister
B) Louis Pasteur
C) Ignaz Semmelweis
D) William Halsted
*Correct Answer: A
Joseph Lister is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for his introduction of antiseptic
surgical techniques using carbolic acid, which dramatically reduced postoperative infections.
Louis Pasteur (B) pioneered germ theory, Semmelweis (C) introduced handwashing, and Halsted
(D) pioneered surgical residency training and radical mastectomy.
Question 2: Which of the following surgical wound classifications is assigned to a procedure
that involves entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts under controlled
conditions?
A) Class I – Clean
B) Class II – Clean-Contaminated
C) Class III – Contaminated
D) Class IV – Dirty-Infected
*Correct Answer: B
A Class II (Clean-Contaminated) wound involves entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or
genitourinary tracts under controlled conditions without unusual contamination. Class I (A)
involves no entry into such tracts. Class III (C) involves gross contamination, and Class IV (D)
involves existing infection or perforated viscera.
Question 3: The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is:
A) Hyaluronidase
B) Alpha-chymotrypsin
C) Collagenase
D) Trypsin
,*Correct Answer: B
Alpha-chymotrypsin is the enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens during cataract surgery,
facilitating lens removal. Hyaluronidase (A) is used to disperse fluids, collagenase (C) breaks
down collagen, and trypsin (D) is a digestive enzyme.
Question 4: According to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), when should the
process of cleaning instruments begin?
A) Within 5 days of the surgical procedure
B) Within 24 hours of the surgical procedure
C) Immediately after the surgical procedure, before soil dries
D) At the end of the surgical day
*Correct Answer: C
The AST recommends that instrument cleaning begin immediately after the surgical procedure,
before blood and soil have a chance to dry on the instruments. Delaying cleaning (Options A, B,
and D) allows organic matter to harden, making it more difficult to remove and compromising
sterilization.
Question 5: Which of the following terms is used to describe surgical intervention that does not
have to be performed immediately or within a short period of time, for example, a torn meniscus
repair?
A) Emergency
B) Urgent
C) Elective
D) Optional
*Correct Answer: C
An elective procedure is one that is planned and does not need to be performed immediately.
Emergency (A) surgery is performed immediately to save life or limb, and urgent (B) surgery is
performed within a short timeframe but is not immediately life-threatening.
Question 6: What is the proper sequence of actions when a surgical technologist is preparing to
don sterile gloves using the closed-gloving technique?
, A) Don gown, then gloves using open-gloving technique
B) Don gown, then gloves using closed-gloving technique
C) Don gloves first, then gown
D) Don gloves using open-gloving technique, then gown
*Correct Answer: B
In the closed-gloving technique, the surgical technologist dons the sterile gown first, keeping the
hands inside the gown cuffs, and then dons the gloves without exposing the bare hands. Option A
describes open-gloving, and Options C and D are incorrect sequences.
Question 7: During a laparoscopic appendectomy, what should the surgical technologist do if
the appendix is found to be perforated?
A) Immediately close the incision and abort the procedure
B) Suction the fluid from the abdomen to limit postoperative complications
C) Remove the appendix without suctioning
D) Irrigate the abdomen with sterile water only
*Correct Answer: B
If the appendix is perforated, the surgical technologist should suction purulent or contaminated
fluid from the abdominal cavity to limit postoperative complications such as peritonitis or
abscess formation. Suctioning should be performed before proceeding with the appendectomy.
Options A, C, and D are incorrect or incomplete responses.
Question 8: Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes?
A) Teeth
B) Sinuses
C) Nasal conchae
D) Palatine tonsils
*Correct Answer: A
The alveolar processes are the thickened ridges of bone that contain the tooth sockets (alveoli) in
the maxilla and mandible. Sinuses (B) are air-filled cavities, nasal conchae (C) are bony
structures in the nasal cavity, and palatine tonsils (D) are lymphatic tissue in the oropharynx.
TECHNOLOGIST: A POSITIVE CARE APPROACH
(6TH EDITION) | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION | STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for students and professionals
preparing for rigorous assessments in surgical technology, based on the Association of Surgical
Technologists' 6th Edition textbook. Covering all essential domains—from the history and legal
aspects of the profession to surgical asepsis, pharmacology, instrumentation, and emergency
preparedness—this guide is an essential tool for assessing readiness for the NBSTSA CST
certification exam. The questions reflect the complexity of the actual certification examination,
integrating theoretical knowledge with practical, scenario-based applications. Each question is
accompanied by a detailed explanation to reinforce learning and clarify complex concepts,
ensuring candidates are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of the actual exam.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Surgical Technology and Professional Practice
2. Legal Concepts, Risk Management, and Ethical Issues
3. The Surgical Patient: Perioperative Care and Considerations
4. Physical Environment and Safety Standards
5. Technological Science Concepts and Instrumentation
6. Principles of Microbiology and Infection Control
7. Surgical Asepsis and Sterility: Best Practices and Techniques
8. Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia
9. Emergency Situations and All-Hazards Preparation
10. Surgical Procedures, Positioning, and Wound Classification
,Question 1: Who is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for introducing antiseptic
techniques?
A) Joseph Lister
B) Louis Pasteur
C) Ignaz Semmelweis
D) William Halsted
*Correct Answer: A
Joseph Lister is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for his introduction of antiseptic
surgical techniques using carbolic acid, which dramatically reduced postoperative infections.
Louis Pasteur (B) pioneered germ theory, Semmelweis (C) introduced handwashing, and Halsted
(D) pioneered surgical residency training and radical mastectomy.
Question 2: Which of the following surgical wound classifications is assigned to a procedure
that involves entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts under controlled
conditions?
A) Class I – Clean
B) Class II – Clean-Contaminated
C) Class III – Contaminated
D) Class IV – Dirty-Infected
*Correct Answer: B
A Class II (Clean-Contaminated) wound involves entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or
genitourinary tracts under controlled conditions without unusual contamination. Class I (A)
involves no entry into such tracts. Class III (C) involves gross contamination, and Class IV (D)
involves existing infection or perforated viscera.
Question 3: The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is:
A) Hyaluronidase
B) Alpha-chymotrypsin
C) Collagenase
D) Trypsin
,*Correct Answer: B
Alpha-chymotrypsin is the enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens during cataract surgery,
facilitating lens removal. Hyaluronidase (A) is used to disperse fluids, collagenase (C) breaks
down collagen, and trypsin (D) is a digestive enzyme.
Question 4: According to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), when should the
process of cleaning instruments begin?
A) Within 5 days of the surgical procedure
B) Within 24 hours of the surgical procedure
C) Immediately after the surgical procedure, before soil dries
D) At the end of the surgical day
*Correct Answer: C
The AST recommends that instrument cleaning begin immediately after the surgical procedure,
before blood and soil have a chance to dry on the instruments. Delaying cleaning (Options A, B,
and D) allows organic matter to harden, making it more difficult to remove and compromising
sterilization.
Question 5: Which of the following terms is used to describe surgical intervention that does not
have to be performed immediately or within a short period of time, for example, a torn meniscus
repair?
A) Emergency
B) Urgent
C) Elective
D) Optional
*Correct Answer: C
An elective procedure is one that is planned and does not need to be performed immediately.
Emergency (A) surgery is performed immediately to save life or limb, and urgent (B) surgery is
performed within a short timeframe but is not immediately life-threatening.
Question 6: What is the proper sequence of actions when a surgical technologist is preparing to
don sterile gloves using the closed-gloving technique?
, A) Don gown, then gloves using open-gloving technique
B) Don gown, then gloves using closed-gloving technique
C) Don gloves first, then gown
D) Don gloves using open-gloving technique, then gown
*Correct Answer: B
In the closed-gloving technique, the surgical technologist dons the sterile gown first, keeping the
hands inside the gown cuffs, and then dons the gloves without exposing the bare hands. Option A
describes open-gloving, and Options C and D are incorrect sequences.
Question 7: During a laparoscopic appendectomy, what should the surgical technologist do if
the appendix is found to be perforated?
A) Immediately close the incision and abort the procedure
B) Suction the fluid from the abdomen to limit postoperative complications
C) Remove the appendix without suctioning
D) Irrigate the abdomen with sterile water only
*Correct Answer: B
If the appendix is perforated, the surgical technologist should suction purulent or contaminated
fluid from the abdominal cavity to limit postoperative complications such as peritonitis or
abscess formation. Suctioning should be performed before proceeding with the appendectomy.
Options A, C, and D are incorrect or incomplete responses.
Question 8: Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes?
A) Teeth
B) Sinuses
C) Nasal conchae
D) Palatine tonsils
*Correct Answer: A
The alveolar processes are the thickened ridges of bone that contain the tooth sockets (alveoli) in
the maxilla and mandible. Sinuses (B) are air-filled cavities, nasal conchae (C) are bony
structures in the nasal cavity, and palatine tonsils (D) are lymphatic tissue in the oropharynx.
