NCCT Scrub Tech Practice Exam 2026/2027
Surgical Technology (TS-C) – 200 Complete Exam
Questions with Verified Detailed Answers
1. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels and nerve endings? E)
Subcutaneous tissue
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum granulosum
C) Epidermis
D) Dermis
Answer D: Dermis
Rationale: The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and is vascular, containing
blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands .
2. The peritoneum is best described as: E) A vascular layer supplying blood to
the intestines
A) A muscle layer of the abdominal wall
B) A serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs
C) A fascial layer protecting the retroperitoneum
D) The inner mucosal lining of the stomach
Answer B: A serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering
abdominal organs
,Rationale: The peritoneum has two layers — parietal (lining the abdominal wall)
and visceral (covering organs) — reducing friction between organs .
3. During a thyroidectomy, which nerve is most at risk of injury? E)
Glossopharyngeal nerve
A) Vagus nerve
B) Phrenic nerve
C) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Answer C: Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove
near the thyroid; injury results in hoarseness or loss of voice .
4. The gallbladder's primary function is to: E) Secrete digestive enzymes into
the duodenum
A) Produce bile
B) Synthesize clotting factors
C) Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver
D) Absorb fat-soluble vitamins
Answer C: Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile continuously; the gallbladder concentrates and
stores it for release during digestion .
,5. Which structures pass through the porta hepatis? E) Celiac trunk, superior
mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric vein
A) Inferior vena cava, hepatic veins, and lymphatics
B) Portal vein, hepatic artery proper, and common bile duct
C) Renal artery, renal vein, and ureter
D) Splenic artery, splenic vein, and pancreatic duct
Answer B: Portal vein, hepatic artery proper, and common bile duct
Rationale: The porta hepatis is the transverse fissure through which the portal
vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct enter or exit the liver .
6. The mitral valve is located between which two chambers of the heart? E)
Right atrium and left atrium
A) Right atrium and right ventricle
B) Left atrium and left ventricle
C) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D) Left ventricle and aorta
Answer B: Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve has two leaflets and separates the left
atrium from the left ventricle .
, 7. When reviewing the autoclave log, the surgical technologist should
confirm that which of the following have been documented before using the
instrumentation?
A) Exposure temperature
B) Cycle time
C) Biological indicator results
D) All of the above
Answer D: All of the above
Rationale: Temperature, cycle time, and biological indicator results must all be
verified to confirm proper sterilization .
8. What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in the OR suite?
A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 50%
Answer A: 20%
Rationale: The minimum humidity level in the OR is 20%, with a recommended
range of 20-60% .
9. At the end of each case, the surgical technologist should:
A) Discard all instruments
B) Rinse blood from the instruments with sterile water
Surgical Technology (TS-C) – 200 Complete Exam
Questions with Verified Detailed Answers
1. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels and nerve endings? E)
Subcutaneous tissue
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum granulosum
C) Epidermis
D) Dermis
Answer D: Dermis
Rationale: The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and is vascular, containing
blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands .
2. The peritoneum is best described as: E) A vascular layer supplying blood to
the intestines
A) A muscle layer of the abdominal wall
B) A serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs
C) A fascial layer protecting the retroperitoneum
D) The inner mucosal lining of the stomach
Answer B: A serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering
abdominal organs
,Rationale: The peritoneum has two layers — parietal (lining the abdominal wall)
and visceral (covering organs) — reducing friction between organs .
3. During a thyroidectomy, which nerve is most at risk of injury? E)
Glossopharyngeal nerve
A) Vagus nerve
B) Phrenic nerve
C) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve
Answer C: Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove
near the thyroid; injury results in hoarseness or loss of voice .
4. The gallbladder's primary function is to: E) Secrete digestive enzymes into
the duodenum
A) Produce bile
B) Synthesize clotting factors
C) Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver
D) Absorb fat-soluble vitamins
Answer C: Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile continuously; the gallbladder concentrates and
stores it for release during digestion .
,5. Which structures pass through the porta hepatis? E) Celiac trunk, superior
mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric vein
A) Inferior vena cava, hepatic veins, and lymphatics
B) Portal vein, hepatic artery proper, and common bile duct
C) Renal artery, renal vein, and ureter
D) Splenic artery, splenic vein, and pancreatic duct
Answer B: Portal vein, hepatic artery proper, and common bile duct
Rationale: The porta hepatis is the transverse fissure through which the portal
vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct enter or exit the liver .
6. The mitral valve is located between which two chambers of the heart? E)
Right atrium and left atrium
A) Right atrium and right ventricle
B) Left atrium and left ventricle
C) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D) Left ventricle and aorta
Answer B: Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve has two leaflets and separates the left
atrium from the left ventricle .
, 7. When reviewing the autoclave log, the surgical technologist should
confirm that which of the following have been documented before using the
instrumentation?
A) Exposure temperature
B) Cycle time
C) Biological indicator results
D) All of the above
Answer D: All of the above
Rationale: Temperature, cycle time, and biological indicator results must all be
verified to confirm proper sterilization .
8. What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in the OR suite?
A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 50%
Answer A: 20%
Rationale: The minimum humidity level in the OR is 20%, with a recommended
range of 20-60% .
9. At the end of each case, the surgical technologist should:
A) Discard all instruments
B) Rinse blood from the instruments with sterile water
