,Chapter 1: Introduction to Surgical Technology
Multiple-Choice Questions (100 Questions)
Question 1: Which of the following terms describes a surgical procedure that is preplanned and does not
need to be performed immediately?
A) Emergent
B) Urgent
C) Elective
D) Emergency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An elective procedure is planned in advance and does not require immediate performance .
Question 2: Which historical figure is considered the father of modern anatomy?
A) Ambroise Paré
B) Andreas Vesalius
C) William Roentgen
D) Hippocrates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Andreas Vesalius is considered the father of modern anatomy for his revolutionary work on
human dissection .
Question 3: Which organization is the professional membership association for surgical technologists?
A) AORN
B) ACS
C) AST
D) ARC/STSA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) promotes professional standards and provides
legislative support for the profession .
Question 4: Which credentialing process demonstrates that a surgical technologist has achieved a
minimum level of knowledge and skills through a nationally recognized examination?
A) Licensure
B) Certification
C) Registration
D) Accreditation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certification demonstrates competency to a particular standard set by the professional
organization .
Question 5: How many phases of surgical case management are there?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical case management consists of three phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and
postoperative .
Question 6: Which surgical team member maintains the operative record throughout the surgical
procedure?
,A) Surgeon
B) Circulating nurse
C) Surgical technologist
D) Anesthesia provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for maintaining the operative record and documenting all
activities .
Question 7: During the postoperative phase, which team member separates instruments and
disassembles the sterile field?
A) CRNA
B) CRNFA
C) CSFA
D) CST
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The certified surgical technologist (CST) is responsible for separating instruments and
disassembling the sterile field .
Question 8: Graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program are eligible to take the national certification
examination through which organization?
A) ARC/STSA
B) AST
C) AORN
D) NBSTSA
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NBSTSA administers the national certification examination for surgical technologists .
Question 9: What is the minimum composition of a surgical team?
A) Two members
B) Three members
C) Four members
D) Five members
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum surgical team includes four members: surgeon, first scrub, circulator, and
anesthesia care provider .
Question 10: Which of the following is a nonsterile team member?
A) Surgeon
B) Surgical technologist
C) Circulating nurse
D) Surgical first assistant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse and anesthesia care provider are nonsterile team members .
Question 11: What are the three pillars of modern medicine and surgery?
A) Asepsis, hemostasis, and pain management
B) Antibiotics, anesthesia, and surgery
C) Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery
D) Prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: The three pillars are asepsis (absence of bacteria), hemostasis (stopping bleeding), and pain
management .
Question 12: Which procedure is considered one of the earliest known surgical operations?
A) Appendectomy
B) Craniotomy
C) Amputation
D) Cataract extraction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Craniotomy with trepanation is evidenced by 5,000 to 8,000-year-old skulls found in France .
Question 13: How did World War II contribute to the surgical technology profession?
A) It led to the discovery of antibiotics
B) It created a need for trained surgical personnel
C) It eliminated the need for surgical technologists
D) It decreased surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WWII created an increased need for surgical personnel, leading to training of military
Corpsmen as Operating Room Technicians .
Question 14: What is the primary role of the surgical technologist?
A) Performing surgery independently
B) Assisting the surgeon and maintaining the sterile field
C) Administering anesthesia
D) Prescribing medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist assists the surgeon and maintains the sterile field during surgical
procedures.
Question 15: What does the abbreviation CST stand for?
A) Certified Surgical Technician
B) Clinical Surgical Technologist
C) Certified Surgical Technologist
D) Central Surgical Team
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CST stands for Certified Surgical Technologist.
Question 16: What is the purpose of the AST?
A) To regulate hospital policies
B) To provide professional standards and continuing education
C) To hire surgical technologists
D) To perform surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AST provides professional standards and continuing education for surgical technologists.
Question 17: Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the surgical technologist?
A) Preparing and maintaining the sterile field
B) Passing instruments to the surgeon
C) Prescribing postoperative medications
D) Counting instruments and sponges
Multiple-Choice Questions (100 Questions)
Question 1: Which of the following terms describes a surgical procedure that is preplanned and does not
need to be performed immediately?
A) Emergent
B) Urgent
C) Elective
D) Emergency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An elective procedure is planned in advance and does not require immediate performance .
Question 2: Which historical figure is considered the father of modern anatomy?
A) Ambroise Paré
B) Andreas Vesalius
C) William Roentgen
D) Hippocrates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Andreas Vesalius is considered the father of modern anatomy for his revolutionary work on
human dissection .
Question 3: Which organization is the professional membership association for surgical technologists?
A) AORN
B) ACS
C) AST
D) ARC/STSA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) promotes professional standards and provides
legislative support for the profession .
Question 4: Which credentialing process demonstrates that a surgical technologist has achieved a
minimum level of knowledge and skills through a nationally recognized examination?
A) Licensure
B) Certification
C) Registration
D) Accreditation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certification demonstrates competency to a particular standard set by the professional
organization .
Question 5: How many phases of surgical case management are there?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical case management consists of three phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and
postoperative .
Question 6: Which surgical team member maintains the operative record throughout the surgical
procedure?
,A) Surgeon
B) Circulating nurse
C) Surgical technologist
D) Anesthesia provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for maintaining the operative record and documenting all
activities .
Question 7: During the postoperative phase, which team member separates instruments and
disassembles the sterile field?
A) CRNA
B) CRNFA
C) CSFA
D) CST
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The certified surgical technologist (CST) is responsible for separating instruments and
disassembling the sterile field .
Question 8: Graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program are eligible to take the national certification
examination through which organization?
A) ARC/STSA
B) AST
C) AORN
D) NBSTSA
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NBSTSA administers the national certification examination for surgical technologists .
Question 9: What is the minimum composition of a surgical team?
A) Two members
B) Three members
C) Four members
D) Five members
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum surgical team includes four members: surgeon, first scrub, circulator, and
anesthesia care provider .
Question 10: Which of the following is a nonsterile team member?
A) Surgeon
B) Surgical technologist
C) Circulating nurse
D) Surgical first assistant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse and anesthesia care provider are nonsterile team members .
Question 11: What are the three pillars of modern medicine and surgery?
A) Asepsis, hemostasis, and pain management
B) Antibiotics, anesthesia, and surgery
C) Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery
D) Prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: The three pillars are asepsis (absence of bacteria), hemostasis (stopping bleeding), and pain
management .
Question 12: Which procedure is considered one of the earliest known surgical operations?
A) Appendectomy
B) Craniotomy
C) Amputation
D) Cataract extraction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Craniotomy with trepanation is evidenced by 5,000 to 8,000-year-old skulls found in France .
Question 13: How did World War II contribute to the surgical technology profession?
A) It led to the discovery of antibiotics
B) It created a need for trained surgical personnel
C) It eliminated the need for surgical technologists
D) It decreased surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WWII created an increased need for surgical personnel, leading to training of military
Corpsmen as Operating Room Technicians .
Question 14: What is the primary role of the surgical technologist?
A) Performing surgery independently
B) Assisting the surgeon and maintaining the sterile field
C) Administering anesthesia
D) Prescribing medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist assists the surgeon and maintains the sterile field during surgical
procedures.
Question 15: What does the abbreviation CST stand for?
A) Certified Surgical Technician
B) Clinical Surgical Technologist
C) Certified Surgical Technologist
D) Central Surgical Team
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CST stands for Certified Surgical Technologist.
Question 16: What is the purpose of the AST?
A) To regulate hospital policies
B) To provide professional standards and continuing education
C) To hire surgical technologists
D) To perform surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AST provides professional standards and continuing education for surgical technologists.
Question 17: Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the surgical technologist?
A) Preparing and maintaining the sterile field
B) Passing instruments to the surgeon
C) Prescribing postoperative medications
D) Counting instruments and sponges
