NBSTSA PSI CST EXAM REVIEW ACTUAL
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Perioperative Care: Preoperative Preparation
Perioperative Care: Intraoperative Procedures
Perioperative Care: Postoperative Procedures
Ancillary Duties: Administrative and Personnel
Ancillary Duties: Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance
Basic Science: Anatomy and Physiology
Basic Science: Microbiology
Basic Science: Surgical Pharmacology
INTRODUCTION
The NBSTSA PSI Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Examination evaluates
entry-level surgical technologists for competency in perioperative care,
ancillary duties, and basic sciences. The assessment covers preoperative
preparation, intraoperative procedures, postoperative care, sterilization
methods, and surgical pharmacology. Questions utilize multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring application of aseptic technique,
instrumentation knowledge, and critical thinking to real-world surgical
scenarios. Emphasis is placed on safe practice, decision-making under
,pressure, and adherence to professional standards throughout the
perioperative continuum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated,
and contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following
should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
B. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure
A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
RATIONALE: When bowel contents spill during a laparoscopic procedure,
the immediate priority is to evacuate the contaminated fluid to minimize
peritoneal contamination. The surgeon will direct the suctioning before
proceeding with the appendectomy .
2. When opening for a procedure, a surgical technologist notices the
tray wrapper is wet. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist do FIRST?
A. Open the wrapper using aseptic technique and check the inside of the tray
for wetness
B. Set the tray on the case cart and wait for it to dry
C. Call the sterile supply department for a new tray
D. Check the indicator tape on the outside of the wrapper for sterilization
, C. Call the sterile supply department for a new tray
RATIONALE: A wet wrapper indicates a breach in the sterile barrier
because moisture can carry microorganisms through the wrapper material.
The tray must be considered contaminated and replaced. Attempting to open
or dry the tray would violate aseptic technique .
3. For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a
second mayo stand for the placement of dirty surgical instruments.
Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to be placed on the
second mayo stand?
A. Penrose drain
B. Bakes dilator
C. Allis forceps
D. Richardson retractor
C. Allis forceps
RATIONALE: Allis forceps are tissue forceps that grasp bowel and other
tissues during open colectomy procedures. Once used, they become
contaminated and should be placed on the dirty mayo stand to prevent cross-
contamination with clean instruments .
4. Which of the following wound classes is assigned to a surgery in
which the bowel was accidentally perforated during the procedure?
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV
, C. III
RATIONALE: A Class III wound (contaminated) is assigned when there is
a major break in sterile technique or gross spillage from a hollow viscus such
as the bowel. Class I is clean, Class II is clean-contaminated, and Class IV is
dirty-infected .
5. A Javid shunt is used for which of the following procedures?
A. Carotid endarterectomy
B. Femoral-popliteal bypass
C. Abdominal aneurysmectomy
D. Saphenous vein ligation
A. Carotid endarterectomy
RATIONALE: The Javid shunt is a temporary internal shunt used during
carotid endarterectomy to maintain cerebral perfusion while the carotid
artery is clamped during plaque removal .
6. During a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), bleeding is
controlled by:
A. Gelfoam
B. Irrigation
C. Cauterization
D. Suture ligature
C. Cauterization
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Perioperative Care: Preoperative Preparation
Perioperative Care: Intraoperative Procedures
Perioperative Care: Postoperative Procedures
Ancillary Duties: Administrative and Personnel
Ancillary Duties: Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance
Basic Science: Anatomy and Physiology
Basic Science: Microbiology
Basic Science: Surgical Pharmacology
INTRODUCTION
The NBSTSA PSI Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Examination evaluates
entry-level surgical technologists for competency in perioperative care,
ancillary duties, and basic sciences. The assessment covers preoperative
preparation, intraoperative procedures, postoperative care, sterilization
methods, and surgical pharmacology. Questions utilize multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring application of aseptic technique,
instrumentation knowledge, and critical thinking to real-world surgical
scenarios. Emphasis is placed on safe practice, decision-making under
,pressure, and adherence to professional standards throughout the
perioperative continuum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated,
and contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following
should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
B. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure
A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
RATIONALE: When bowel contents spill during a laparoscopic procedure,
the immediate priority is to evacuate the contaminated fluid to minimize
peritoneal contamination. The surgeon will direct the suctioning before
proceeding with the appendectomy .
2. When opening for a procedure, a surgical technologist notices the
tray wrapper is wet. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist do FIRST?
A. Open the wrapper using aseptic technique and check the inside of the tray
for wetness
B. Set the tray on the case cart and wait for it to dry
C. Call the sterile supply department for a new tray
D. Check the indicator tape on the outside of the wrapper for sterilization
, C. Call the sterile supply department for a new tray
RATIONALE: A wet wrapper indicates a breach in the sterile barrier
because moisture can carry microorganisms through the wrapper material.
The tray must be considered contaminated and replaced. Attempting to open
or dry the tray would violate aseptic technique .
3. For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a
second mayo stand for the placement of dirty surgical instruments.
Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to be placed on the
second mayo stand?
A. Penrose drain
B. Bakes dilator
C. Allis forceps
D. Richardson retractor
C. Allis forceps
RATIONALE: Allis forceps are tissue forceps that grasp bowel and other
tissues during open colectomy procedures. Once used, they become
contaminated and should be placed on the dirty mayo stand to prevent cross-
contamination with clean instruments .
4. Which of the following wound classes is assigned to a surgery in
which the bowel was accidentally perforated during the procedure?
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV
, C. III
RATIONALE: A Class III wound (contaminated) is assigned when there is
a major break in sterile technique or gross spillage from a hollow viscus such
as the bowel. Class I is clean, Class II is clean-contaminated, and Class IV is
dirty-infected .
5. A Javid shunt is used for which of the following procedures?
A. Carotid endarterectomy
B. Femoral-popliteal bypass
C. Abdominal aneurysmectomy
D. Saphenous vein ligation
A. Carotid endarterectomy
RATIONALE: The Javid shunt is a temporary internal shunt used during
carotid endarterectomy to maintain cerebral perfusion while the carotid
artery is clamped during plaque removal .
6. During a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), bleeding is
controlled by:
A. Gelfoam
B. Irrigation
C. Cauterization
D. Suture ligature
C. Cauterization
