1
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST)
— NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE |
150+ ADVANCED PRACTICE QUESTIONS & 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, FULL TESTBANK
& 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. Perioperative Care — Preoperative Preparation
ii. Perioperative Care — Intraoperative Procedures
iii. Perioperative Care — Postoperative Procedures
iv. Ancillary Duties — Administrative and Personnel Responsibilities
v. Ancillary Duties — Equipment, Sterilization, and Maintenance
vi. Basic Science — Anatomy and Physiology
vii. Basic Science — Microbiology and Infection Prevention
viii. Basic Science — Surgical Pharmacology
ix. Advanced Clinical Decision-Making and Professional Practice
x. Comprehensive Mixed Review
DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive Certified Surgical Technologist practice examination
evaluates advanced knowledge across perioperative care, ancillary
responsibilities, equipment and sterilization, anatomy and physiology,
microbiology, surgical pharmacology, professional practice, and complex
intraoperative decision-making. It is designed for CST candidates, surgical
technology students, graduates, educators, and experienced practitioners seeking
rigorous examination preparation. The 150-question format emphasizes
application, clinical judgment, troubleshooting, patient safety, aseptic technique,
instrumentation, surgical procedures, and realistic operating-room scenarios. It
contains 100+ questions and answers with a rationale to reinforce understanding
rather than memorization. Purchase and instantly get a downloadable and
editable PDF for convenient study, review, annotation, and repeated practice.
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CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
QUESTION 1
A patient scheduled for an elective laparotomy arrives in the operating room
with an identification bracelet that contains the correct name but an incorrect
date of birth. The consent form and schedule contain the correct identifiers.
What should the surgical technologist do?
A. Proceed because two identifiers are correct elsewhere in the chart.
B. Ask the patient to verbally confirm the date of birth and continue.
C. Stop the preparation and report the discrepancy according to facility policy.
D. Replace the bracelet independently and proceed with setup.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Stop the preparation and report the discrepancy
according to facility policy.
🔵 Explanation: Patient identification discrepancies must be resolved before
the procedure proceeds. The surgical technologist should not independently
reconcile conflicting identifiers or assume that the correct information
elsewhere makes the bracelet acceptable.
QUESTION 2
During the preoperative verification process, the consent identifies a right-sided
procedure, while the operating-room schedule lists the left side. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Use the schedule because it is generated from the surgeon's booking request.
B. Ask the patient which side should be operated on.
C. Proceed until the surgeon arrives and confirms the side.
D. Immediately communicate the discrepancy and prevent progression until
resolved.
🔴 Correct Answer: D. Immediately communicate the discrepancy and
prevent progression until resolved.
🔵 Explanation: Conflicting procedure information represents a serious
patient-safety risk. The discrepancy must be resolved through the appropriate
verification process before incision or continuation of the procedure.
QUESTION 3
A patient with a documented latex allergy is scheduled for surgery. Which
preparation is most appropriate?
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CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
A. Use latex supplies but avoid direct skin contact.
B. Establish a latex-safe environment and remove potential latex-containing
items.
C. Place two surgical gloves over latex gloves.
D. Administer prophylactic antihistamines and proceed normally.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Establish a latex-safe environment and remove
potential latex-containing items.
🔵 Explanation: A latex-allergic patient requires avoidance of latex
exposure. The operating room should be prepared according to institutional
latex-allergy protocols, including appropriate equipment and supplies.
QUESTION 4
A patient is scheduled for a procedure requiring a lithotomy position. Which
complication is particularly associated with prolonged positioning in this
manner?
A. Brachial plexus compression
B. Common peroneal nerve injury
C. Ulnar nerve injury only
D. Cervical spine hyperextension
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Common peroneal nerve injury.
🔵 Explanation: Lithotomy positioning can compress the common peroneal
nerve at the fibular head. Proper padding, leg positioning, and periodic
assessment are essential to reduce nerve injury.
QUESTION 5
During preparation for a procedure, the surgical technologist notices that a
sterile package has a small tear in its wrapper. What is the correct response?
A. Cover the tear with sterile tape.
B. Use the package if the instruments appear sterile.
C. Consider the package contaminated and obtain another sterile package.
D. Open the package only after the incision is made.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Consider the package contaminated and obtain
another sterile package.
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CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
🔵 Explanation: A compromised sterile barrier cannot reliably maintain
sterility. A torn wrapper requires replacement rather than repair or visual
acceptance.
QUESTION 6
Which action best demonstrates correct surgical aseptic technique when
transferring a sterile item?
A. Reach across the sterile field if the item is urgently needed.
B. Keep the sterile item within the sterile field boundaries during transfer.
C. Turn the back toward the field to retrieve the item.
D. Hold the item below waist level before transfer.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Keep the sterile item within the sterile field
boundaries during transfer.
🔵 Explanation: Sterile items must remain within controlled sterile
boundaries. Reaching across, lowering items below the sterile field, or turning
away from an exposed field can compromise asepsis.
QUESTION 7
While performing the surgical count, the closing count reveals one missing
laparotomy sponge. What should occur first?
A. Close the incision immediately to avoid delaying the patient.
B. Document the missing sponge after the patient leaves the room.
C. Notify the appropriate team members and initiate a systematic search.
D. Assume the sponge was discarded during cleanup.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Notify the appropriate team members and initiate
a systematic search.
🔵 Explanation: A missing item requires immediate communication and
systematic reconciliation. The team should search the field, sterile tables,
receptacles, floor, and other relevant locations according to policy.
QUESTION 8
A radiopaque sponge is missing after the abdominal cavity has been searched.
Which intervention may help identify a retained sponge?
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST)
— NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE |
150+ ADVANCED PRACTICE QUESTIONS & 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, FULL TESTBANK
& 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. Perioperative Care — Preoperative Preparation
ii. Perioperative Care — Intraoperative Procedures
iii. Perioperative Care — Postoperative Procedures
iv. Ancillary Duties — Administrative and Personnel Responsibilities
v. Ancillary Duties — Equipment, Sterilization, and Maintenance
vi. Basic Science — Anatomy and Physiology
vii. Basic Science — Microbiology and Infection Prevention
viii. Basic Science — Surgical Pharmacology
ix. Advanced Clinical Decision-Making and Professional Practice
x. Comprehensive Mixed Review
DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive Certified Surgical Technologist practice examination
evaluates advanced knowledge across perioperative care, ancillary
responsibilities, equipment and sterilization, anatomy and physiology,
microbiology, surgical pharmacology, professional practice, and complex
intraoperative decision-making. It is designed for CST candidates, surgical
technology students, graduates, educators, and experienced practitioners seeking
rigorous examination preparation. The 150-question format emphasizes
application, clinical judgment, troubleshooting, patient safety, aseptic technique,
instrumentation, surgical procedures, and realistic operating-room scenarios. It
contains 100+ questions and answers with a rationale to reinforce understanding
rather than memorization. Purchase and instantly get a downloadable and
editable PDF for convenient study, review, annotation, and repeated practice.
,2
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
QUESTION 1
A patient scheduled for an elective laparotomy arrives in the operating room
with an identification bracelet that contains the correct name but an incorrect
date of birth. The consent form and schedule contain the correct identifiers.
What should the surgical technologist do?
A. Proceed because two identifiers are correct elsewhere in the chart.
B. Ask the patient to verbally confirm the date of birth and continue.
C. Stop the preparation and report the discrepancy according to facility policy.
D. Replace the bracelet independently and proceed with setup.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Stop the preparation and report the discrepancy
according to facility policy.
🔵 Explanation: Patient identification discrepancies must be resolved before
the procedure proceeds. The surgical technologist should not independently
reconcile conflicting identifiers or assume that the correct information
elsewhere makes the bracelet acceptable.
QUESTION 2
During the preoperative verification process, the consent identifies a right-sided
procedure, while the operating-room schedule lists the left side. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Use the schedule because it is generated from the surgeon's booking request.
B. Ask the patient which side should be operated on.
C. Proceed until the surgeon arrives and confirms the side.
D. Immediately communicate the discrepancy and prevent progression until
resolved.
🔴 Correct Answer: D. Immediately communicate the discrepancy and
prevent progression until resolved.
🔵 Explanation: Conflicting procedure information represents a serious
patient-safety risk. The discrepancy must be resolved through the appropriate
verification process before incision or continuation of the procedure.
QUESTION 3
A patient with a documented latex allergy is scheduled for surgery. Which
preparation is most appropriate?
,3
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
A. Use latex supplies but avoid direct skin contact.
B. Establish a latex-safe environment and remove potential latex-containing
items.
C. Place two surgical gloves over latex gloves.
D. Administer prophylactic antihistamines and proceed normally.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Establish a latex-safe environment and remove
potential latex-containing items.
🔵 Explanation: A latex-allergic patient requires avoidance of latex
exposure. The operating room should be prepared according to institutional
latex-allergy protocols, including appropriate equipment and supplies.
QUESTION 4
A patient is scheduled for a procedure requiring a lithotomy position. Which
complication is particularly associated with prolonged positioning in this
manner?
A. Brachial plexus compression
B. Common peroneal nerve injury
C. Ulnar nerve injury only
D. Cervical spine hyperextension
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Common peroneal nerve injury.
🔵 Explanation: Lithotomy positioning can compress the common peroneal
nerve at the fibular head. Proper padding, leg positioning, and periodic
assessment are essential to reduce nerve injury.
QUESTION 5
During preparation for a procedure, the surgical technologist notices that a
sterile package has a small tear in its wrapper. What is the correct response?
A. Cover the tear with sterile tape.
B. Use the package if the instruments appear sterile.
C. Consider the package contaminated and obtain another sterile package.
D. Open the package only after the incision is made.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Consider the package contaminated and obtain
another sterile package.
, 4
CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) — NBSTSA CERTIFICATION
🔵 Explanation: A compromised sterile barrier cannot reliably maintain
sterility. A torn wrapper requires replacement rather than repair or visual
acceptance.
QUESTION 6
Which action best demonstrates correct surgical aseptic technique when
transferring a sterile item?
A. Reach across the sterile field if the item is urgently needed.
B. Keep the sterile item within the sterile field boundaries during transfer.
C. Turn the back toward the field to retrieve the item.
D. Hold the item below waist level before transfer.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Keep the sterile item within the sterile field
boundaries during transfer.
🔵 Explanation: Sterile items must remain within controlled sterile
boundaries. Reaching across, lowering items below the sterile field, or turning
away from an exposed field can compromise asepsis.
QUESTION 7
While performing the surgical count, the closing count reveals one missing
laparotomy sponge. What should occur first?
A. Close the incision immediately to avoid delaying the patient.
B. Document the missing sponge after the patient leaves the room.
C. Notify the appropriate team members and initiate a systematic search.
D. Assume the sponge was discarded during cleanup.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Notify the appropriate team members and initiate
a systematic search.
🔵 Explanation: A missing item requires immediate communication and
systematic reconciliation. The team should search the field, sterile tables,
receptacles, floor, and other relevant locations according to policy.
QUESTION 8
A radiopaque sponge is missing after the abdominal cavity has been searched.
Which intervention may help identify a retained sponge?
