AST PRACTICE EXAM #4 Prep 2026/2027 –
Study Guide & Practice Question
What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?
A. Skin hook
B. Penrose drain
C. Vessel loops
D. Umbilical tapes - correct answer-B. Penrose drain
Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed prior to a hysterectomy?
A. Record fluid intake
B. Avoid injury to bladder
C. Distend bladder
D. Demonstrate ureteral patency - correct answer-B. Avoid injury to bladder
Which of the following scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial
incision?
A. Metzenbaum
B. Jorgenson
C. Iris
,D. Potts-Smith - correct answer-D. Potts-Smith
Which of the following is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Indigo carmine
C. Methylene blue
D. Acetic acid - correct answer-A. Lugol's solution
Which of the following arises from the left ventricle of the heart?
A. Ascending aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Descending aorta
D. Pulmonary artery - correct answer-A. Ascending aorta
What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the sterilization
process, but sterility is not guaranteed?
A. Mechanical
B. Biological
C. Chemical
D. Bowie-Dick - correct answer-C. Chemical
Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and
saved?
A. To donate to cancer patients
B. In case of need for future genetic testing
,C. It is patient property
D. Prevent post-op surgical site infection - correct answer-C. It is patient property
When rearing a double basin for sterilization, the:
A. Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel
B. Sponges should be placed in the top basin
C. Wrapped package should be laid flat on the shelf of the sterilizing cart
D. Bottom basin should contain a residual of distilled water - correct answer-A.
Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel
Which structure, during a total hip arthroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming
prior to placement of a prosthesis?
A. Femoral canal
B. Tibial plateau
C. Acetabular fossa
D. Greater trochanter - correct answer-A. Femoral canal
Which of the following is the least reactive form of credentialing?
A. Certification
B. Licensure
C. Registration
D. Accreditation - correct answer-C. Registration
What drug classification is Demoral?
A. Dilator
, B. Analgesic
C. Sedative
D. Vasoconstrictor - correct answer-B. Analgesic
What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy?
A. Tracheotomy tray
B. Clean stent dressing
C. Extra Penrose drain
D. Antiembolic stockings - correct answer-A. Tracheotomy tray
What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride?
A. Fe
B. Hg
C. NaCl
D. H20 - correct answer-C. NaCl
Which organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins?
A. Golgi complex
B. Mitochondria
C. Nucleus
D. Ribosome - correct answer-A. Golgi complex
Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown below?
A. D&C
Study Guide & Practice Question
What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?
A. Skin hook
B. Penrose drain
C. Vessel loops
D. Umbilical tapes - correct answer-B. Penrose drain
Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed prior to a hysterectomy?
A. Record fluid intake
B. Avoid injury to bladder
C. Distend bladder
D. Demonstrate ureteral patency - correct answer-B. Avoid injury to bladder
Which of the following scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial
incision?
A. Metzenbaum
B. Jorgenson
C. Iris
,D. Potts-Smith - correct answer-D. Potts-Smith
Which of the following is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Indigo carmine
C. Methylene blue
D. Acetic acid - correct answer-A. Lugol's solution
Which of the following arises from the left ventricle of the heart?
A. Ascending aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Descending aorta
D. Pulmonary artery - correct answer-A. Ascending aorta
What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the sterilization
process, but sterility is not guaranteed?
A. Mechanical
B. Biological
C. Chemical
D. Bowie-Dick - correct answer-C. Chemical
Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and
saved?
A. To donate to cancer patients
B. In case of need for future genetic testing
,C. It is patient property
D. Prevent post-op surgical site infection - correct answer-C. It is patient property
When rearing a double basin for sterilization, the:
A. Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel
B. Sponges should be placed in the top basin
C. Wrapped package should be laid flat on the shelf of the sterilizing cart
D. Bottom basin should contain a residual of distilled water - correct answer-A.
Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel
Which structure, during a total hip arthroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming
prior to placement of a prosthesis?
A. Femoral canal
B. Tibial plateau
C. Acetabular fossa
D. Greater trochanter - correct answer-A. Femoral canal
Which of the following is the least reactive form of credentialing?
A. Certification
B. Licensure
C. Registration
D. Accreditation - correct answer-C. Registration
What drug classification is Demoral?
A. Dilator
, B. Analgesic
C. Sedative
D. Vasoconstrictor - correct answer-B. Analgesic
What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy?
A. Tracheotomy tray
B. Clean stent dressing
C. Extra Penrose drain
D. Antiembolic stockings - correct answer-A. Tracheotomy tray
What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride?
A. Fe
B. Hg
C. NaCl
D. H20 - correct answer-C. NaCl
Which organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins?
A. Golgi complex
B. Mitochondria
C. Nucleus
D. Ribosome - correct answer-A. Golgi complex
Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown below?
A. D&C
