CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST EXAM TEST BANK 3 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS………...
Core Domains
Perioperative Care and Patient Preparation
Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique
Surgical Instrumentation, Equipment, and Supplies
Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgical Procedures
Pharmacology and Anesthesia Considerations
Intraoperative Safety and Emergency Protocols
Wound Healing and Postoperative Care
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
Surgical Pharmacology and Medication Management
Infection Control and Environmental Safety
Introduction
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and competencies required for the Certified
Surgical Technologist (CST) certification exam, as administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and
Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The exam evaluates understanding of perioperative care, surgical asepsis,
instrumentation, anatomy, pharmacology, patient safety, and professional standards. Questions are structured as
multiple-choice and scenario-based items that require critical thinking, application of surgical principles, and
sound clinical judgment. Emphasis is placed on real-world decision-making, patient safety, infection control, and
adherence to legal and ethical standards to ensure the delivery of high-quality surgical care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
During a surgical procedure, the surgical technologist observes a break in sterile technique. What is the most
appropriate immediate action?
A. Continue the procedure and inform the surgeon after the case
B. Immediately inform the surgeon and the circulating nurse of the break
C. Ignore the break to avoid disrupting the surgical team
D. Document the break in the patient's chart after the procedure
🟢B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Any break in sterile technique must be immediately reported to the surgeon and circulating
nurse to allow for corrective action and prevent surgical site infection. Continuing the procedure (A), ignoring
the break (C), or only documenting after the case (D) are not appropriate responses that could compromise
patient safety.
Question 2
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning sterile surgical attire?
A. Mask, hair cover, shoe covers, scrub suit, sterile gown and gloves
B. Scrub suit, hair cover, shoe covers, mask, sterile gown and gloves
C. Hair cover, shoe covers, scrub suit, mask, sterile gown and gloves
D. Shoe covers, scrub suit, hair cover, mask, sterile gown and gloves
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The correct sequence for donning sterile surgical attire is: scrub suit, hair cover, shoe covers,
mask, followed by sterile gown and gloves. This sequence ensures proper infection control and minimizes
contamination of sterile items.
Question 3
What is the purpose of the pneumatic tourniquet during orthopedic surgery?
, A. To prevent bleeding and provide a bloodless surgical field
B. To reduce postoperative pain
C. To promote wound healing
D. To administer local anesthesia
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The pneumatic tourniquet is used during orthopedic surgery to occlude blood flow to the
extremity, providing a bloodless surgical field and reducing intraoperative bleeding. It does not reduce
postoperative pain (B), promote wound healing (C), or administer anesthesia (D).
Question 4
The surgical technologist is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following is NOT a principle of sterile
technique?
A. Sterile items must be kept above the waist level
B. Sterile personnel must face the sterile field at all times
C. Sterile items may be opened over the sterile field
D. Only sterile items may be placed on the sterile field
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sterile items should not be opened over the sterile field; they should be opened away from the
field to prevent contamination from falling particles. Keeping items above the waist (A), facing the field (B), and
ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS………...
Core Domains
Perioperative Care and Patient Preparation
Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique
Surgical Instrumentation, Equipment, and Supplies
Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgical Procedures
Pharmacology and Anesthesia Considerations
Intraoperative Safety and Emergency Protocols
Wound Healing and Postoperative Care
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
Surgical Pharmacology and Medication Management
Infection Control and Environmental Safety
Introduction
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and competencies required for the Certified
Surgical Technologist (CST) certification exam, as administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and
Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The exam evaluates understanding of perioperative care, surgical asepsis,
instrumentation, anatomy, pharmacology, patient safety, and professional standards. Questions are structured as
multiple-choice and scenario-based items that require critical thinking, application of surgical principles, and
sound clinical judgment. Emphasis is placed on real-world decision-making, patient safety, infection control, and
adherence to legal and ethical standards to ensure the delivery of high-quality surgical care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
During a surgical procedure, the surgical technologist observes a break in sterile technique. What is the most
appropriate immediate action?
A. Continue the procedure and inform the surgeon after the case
B. Immediately inform the surgeon and the circulating nurse of the break
C. Ignore the break to avoid disrupting the surgical team
D. Document the break in the patient's chart after the procedure
🟢B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Any break in sterile technique must be immediately reported to the surgeon and circulating
nurse to allow for corrective action and prevent surgical site infection. Continuing the procedure (A), ignoring
the break (C), or only documenting after the case (D) are not appropriate responses that could compromise
patient safety.
Question 2
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning sterile surgical attire?
A. Mask, hair cover, shoe covers, scrub suit, sterile gown and gloves
B. Scrub suit, hair cover, shoe covers, mask, sterile gown and gloves
C. Hair cover, shoe covers, scrub suit, mask, sterile gown and gloves
D. Shoe covers, scrub suit, hair cover, mask, sterile gown and gloves
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The correct sequence for donning sterile surgical attire is: scrub suit, hair cover, shoe covers,
mask, followed by sterile gown and gloves. This sequence ensures proper infection control and minimizes
contamination of sterile items.
Question 3
What is the purpose of the pneumatic tourniquet during orthopedic surgery?
, A. To prevent bleeding and provide a bloodless surgical field
B. To reduce postoperative pain
C. To promote wound healing
D. To administer local anesthesia
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The pneumatic tourniquet is used during orthopedic surgery to occlude blood flow to the
extremity, providing a bloodless surgical field and reducing intraoperative bleeding. It does not reduce
postoperative pain (B), promote wound healing (C), or administer anesthesia (D).
Question 4
The surgical technologist is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following is NOT a principle of sterile
technique?
A. Sterile items must be kept above the waist level
B. Sterile personnel must face the sterile field at all times
C. Sterile items may be opened over the sterile field
D. Only sterile items may be placed on the sterile field
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sterile items should not be opened over the sterile field; they should be opened away from the
field to prevent contamination from falling particles. Keeping items above the waist (A), facing the field (B), and
