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ILLINOIS SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
EXAM PRACTICE — QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPSIS
**1. Which surgical team member is primarily responsible for
maintaining the sterile field during surgery?**
A. Circulating nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** The surgical technologist monitors and preserves
sterility throughout the procedure. While all team members are
responsible for sterile technique, the surgical technologist has
primary accountability for establishing and maintaining the
sterile field .
---
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**2. A sterile field is considered contaminated if:**
A. The scrub changes gloves without contaminating the gown
B. The circulator opens a sterile peel pack correctly onto the
field
C. A non-sterile team member reaches over it
D. The surgeon requests an additional sterile instrument
**Correct answer:** C
**Rationale:** Reaching over the sterile field breaks aseptic
technique. The sterile field must be considered contaminated if
a non-sterile person reaches over it, or if a sterile item falls
below table level and is returned to the field .
---
**3. Which gloving method is considered MOST aseptic for
surgical procedures?**
A. Open gloving
B. Closed gloving
C. Assisted gloving with bare hands
D. Double gloving without aseptic technique
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**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Closed gloving is more aseptic because the
glover does not touch the outside of gloves with bare hands,
maintaining sterility. Open gloving has higher contamination risk
.
---
**4. The Universal Protocol (Time Out) is performed to:**
A. Shorten the surgical procedure time
B. Verify correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure
before incision
C. Replace informed consent documentation
D. Allow the circulator to leave the room
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Time Out is a final safety pause confirming
identity, site, and procedure to prevent wrong-person, wrong-
site, wrong-procedure events. All members of the surgical team
participate .
## SECTION 2: SURGICAL INSTRUMENTATION
ILLINOIS SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
EXAM PRACTICE — QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPSIS
**1. Which surgical team member is primarily responsible for
maintaining the sterile field during surgery?**
A. Circulating nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** The surgical technologist monitors and preserves
sterility throughout the procedure. While all team members are
responsible for sterile technique, the surgical technologist has
primary accountability for establishing and maintaining the
sterile field .
---
,2 | Page
**2. A sterile field is considered contaminated if:**
A. The scrub changes gloves without contaminating the gown
B. The circulator opens a sterile peel pack correctly onto the
field
C. A non-sterile team member reaches over it
D. The surgeon requests an additional sterile instrument
**Correct answer:** C
**Rationale:** Reaching over the sterile field breaks aseptic
technique. The sterile field must be considered contaminated if
a non-sterile person reaches over it, or if a sterile item falls
below table level and is returned to the field .
---
**3. Which gloving method is considered MOST aseptic for
surgical procedures?**
A. Open gloving
B. Closed gloving
C. Assisted gloving with bare hands
D. Double gloving without aseptic technique
, 3 | Page
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Closed gloving is more aseptic because the
glover does not touch the outside of gloves with bare hands,
maintaining sterility. Open gloving has higher contamination risk
.
---
**4. The Universal Protocol (Time Out) is performed to:**
A. Shorten the surgical procedure time
B. Verify correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure
before incision
C. Replace informed consent documentation
D. Allow the circulator to leave the room
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** Time Out is a final safety pause confirming
identity, site, and procedure to prevent wrong-person, wrong-
site, wrong-procedure events. All members of the surgical team
participate .
## SECTION 2: SURGICAL INSTRUMENTATION
