NBSTSA PSI CST EXAM REVIEW ACTUAL
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
1. Preoperative Preparation and Patient Assessment
2. Intraoperative Procedures and Surgical Technique
3. Postoperative Procedures and Patient Care
4. Administrative and Personnel Duties
5. Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance
6. Anatomy and Physiology
7. Microbiology and Infection Control
8. Surgical Pharmacology
9. Aseptic Technique and Sterile Field Management
10. Emergency Situations and Critical Thinking
Introduction
This comprehensive examination evaluates the knowledge, clinical reasoning,
and technical skills required of a Certified Surgical Technologist. The
assessment covers perioperative care, preoperative preparation, intraoperative
procedures, postoperative management, ancillary duties, equipment
sterilization, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and surgical
pharmacology. Questions are designed as multiple-choice and scenario-based
items that test critical thinking, decision-making, and the application of
evidence-based practices in real-world surgical environments. Candidates must
demonstrate mastery of sterile technique, instrumentation, patient safety, and
the ability to anticipate the surgeon's needs during complex procedures.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,1. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through
which the spinal cord passes?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Foramen magnum
C. Foramen rotundum
D. Foramen of Bochdalek
B. Foramen magnum
RATIONALE: The foramen magnum is the large opening at the base of
the occipital bone through which the spinal cord connects to the brainstem.
The foramen ovale and rotundum are in the sphenoid bone.
2. 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 spillage occurs during a laparoscopic appendectomy,
the immediate priority is to suction the contaminated fluid to minimize
peritoneal contamination and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
3. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1.
The surgical technologist is informed the case has been moved to OR 2
and the next case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the
following is the BEST course of action?
,A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by
the next case
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1
as planned
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and
the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of
RATIONALE: A sterile field cannot be moved from one room to another.
Once a sterile setup is opened and exposed to the environment, it cannot be
guaranteed sterile if transported. New supplies must be obtained for OR 2.
4. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. Fever
B. Infection
C. Inflammation
D. Immune reaction
C. Inflammation
RATIONALE: Inflammation is the local tissue response to injury,
characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Fever is a
systemic response.
5. Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct
exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
, C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
B. Randall forceps
RATIONALE: Randall forceps are specifically designed with curved,
fenestrated jaws for grasping and extracting stones from the common bile
duct during exploration.
6. Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during a
cholecystectomy?
A. Cystic artery and cystic duct
B. Hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. Cystic artery and common bile duct
D. Hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
A. Cystic artery and cystic duct
RATIONALE: During cholecystectomy, the cystic artery (blood supply to
the gallbladder) and the cystic duct (drainage from the gallbladder) are
identified, ligated, and divided. The common bile duct and hepatic artery are
preserved.
7. When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following
instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman
C. Schroeder
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
1. Preoperative Preparation and Patient Assessment
2. Intraoperative Procedures and Surgical Technique
3. Postoperative Procedures and Patient Care
4. Administrative and Personnel Duties
5. Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance
6. Anatomy and Physiology
7. Microbiology and Infection Control
8. Surgical Pharmacology
9. Aseptic Technique and Sterile Field Management
10. Emergency Situations and Critical Thinking
Introduction
This comprehensive examination evaluates the knowledge, clinical reasoning,
and technical skills required of a Certified Surgical Technologist. The
assessment covers perioperative care, preoperative preparation, intraoperative
procedures, postoperative management, ancillary duties, equipment
sterilization, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and surgical
pharmacology. Questions are designed as multiple-choice and scenario-based
items that test critical thinking, decision-making, and the application of
evidence-based practices in real-world surgical environments. Candidates must
demonstrate mastery of sterile technique, instrumentation, patient safety, and
the ability to anticipate the surgeon's needs during complex procedures.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,1. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through
which the spinal cord passes?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Foramen magnum
C. Foramen rotundum
D. Foramen of Bochdalek
B. Foramen magnum
RATIONALE: The foramen magnum is the large opening at the base of
the occipital bone through which the spinal cord connects to the brainstem.
The foramen ovale and rotundum are in the sphenoid bone.
2. 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 spillage occurs during a laparoscopic appendectomy,
the immediate priority is to suction the contaminated fluid to minimize
peritoneal contamination and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
3. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1.
The surgical technologist is informed the case has been moved to OR 2
and the next case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the
following is the BEST course of action?
,A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
setup in OR 1 should be disposed of
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by
the next case
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1
as planned
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and
the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of
RATIONALE: A sterile field cannot be moved from one room to another.
Once a sterile setup is opened and exposed to the environment, it cannot be
guaranteed sterile if transported. New supplies must be obtained for OR 2.
4. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. Fever
B. Infection
C. Inflammation
D. Immune reaction
C. Inflammation
RATIONALE: Inflammation is the local tissue response to injury,
characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Fever is a
systemic response.
5. Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct
exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
, C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
B. Randall forceps
RATIONALE: Randall forceps are specifically designed with curved,
fenestrated jaws for grasping and extracting stones from the common bile
duct during exploration.
6. Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during a
cholecystectomy?
A. Cystic artery and cystic duct
B. Hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. Cystic artery and common bile duct
D. Hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
A. Cystic artery and cystic duct
RATIONALE: During cholecystectomy, the cystic artery (blood supply to
the gallbladder) and the cystic duct (drainage from the gallbladder) are
identified, ligated, and divided. The common bile duct and hepatic artery are
preserved.
7. When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following
instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman
C. Schroeder
