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NBSTSA CST Exam – 100 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1–20)
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
Answer: B – Foramen magnum
Rationale: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone through which
the spinal cord passes and connects to the brainstem .
2. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. Two, three
B. Three, two
C. Two, two
D. Three, three
Answer: B – Three, two
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (upper, middle, lower), and the left lung has two
lobes (upper and lower) .
3. Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the:
A. Epiphyseal plate
B. Diaphysis
C. Periosteum
D. Medullary cavity
Answer: A – Epiphyseal plate
Rationale: The epiphyseal plate (growth plate) is responsible for longitudinal bone growth in
children and adolescents .
4. Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. Hydrocephalus
B. Meningitis
C. Encephalitis
D. Cerebral edema
, 2
Answer: A – Hydrocephalus
Rationale: Hydrocephalus is caused by excessive production or impaired absorption of
cerebrospinal fluid, leading to ventricular dilation .
5. The normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult is:
A. 40–60 beats per minute
B. 60–100 beats per minute
C. 100–140 beats per minute
D. 140–180 beats per minute
Answer: B – 60–100 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 bpm. Bradycardia is below 60, and
tachycardia exceeds 100 .
6. In which layer of the skin are sebaceous glands located?
A. Epidermis
B. Dermis
C. Subcutaneous tissue
D. Fascia
Answer: B – Dermis
Rationale: Sebaceous glands are located in the dermis, the middle layer of skin. They secrete
sebum for lubrication .
7. Which of the following arteries is commonly used for taking a blood pressure reading?
A. Radial artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Femoral artery
D. Popliteal artery
Answer: B – Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is the standard site for blood pressure measurement .
8. Which body cavity contains the heart and lungs?
A. Abdominal cavity
B. Pelvic cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Cranial cavity
Answer: C – Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and other mediastinal structures.
9. The term "distal" means:
, 3
A. Toward the midline
B. Away from the point of origin
C. Toward the head
D. Toward the back
Answer: B – Away from the point of origin
Rationale: Distal describes a location farther from the point of attachment or origin.
10. Which of the following is the largest organ in the human body?
A. Liver
B. Skin
C. Brain
D. Lungs
Answer: B – Skin
Rationale: The skin is the largest organ of the body, serving as a protective barrier.
11. Which of the following structures is separated first when a paramedian incision is
performed?
A. Peritoneum
B. Transverse abdominis
C. External oblique
D. Rectus abdominis
Answer: D – Rectus abdominis
Rationale: A paramedian incision separates the rectus abdominis muscle first .
12. Which of the following is MOST likely to be used to stabilize a cervical fracture?
A. Kirschner wire
B. Hoffman device
C. Halo device
D. Steinmann pin
Answer: C – Halo device
Rationale: A halo device is used to stabilize cervical fractures, providing immobilization of
the cervical spine .
13. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the layers of the abdominal wall
from superficial to deep?
A. Skin, fascia, muscle, peritoneum
B. Skin, muscle, fascia, peritoneum
C. Skin, peritoneum, fascia, muscle
D. Skin, fascia, peritoneum, muscle
NBSTSA CST Exam – 100 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1–20)
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
Answer: B – Foramen magnum
Rationale: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone through which
the spinal cord passes and connects to the brainstem .
2. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. Two, three
B. Three, two
C. Two, two
D. Three, three
Answer: B – Three, two
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes (upper, middle, lower), and the left lung has two
lobes (upper and lower) .
3. Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the:
A. Epiphyseal plate
B. Diaphysis
C. Periosteum
D. Medullary cavity
Answer: A – Epiphyseal plate
Rationale: The epiphyseal plate (growth plate) is responsible for longitudinal bone growth in
children and adolescents .
4. Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. Hydrocephalus
B. Meningitis
C. Encephalitis
D. Cerebral edema
, 2
Answer: A – Hydrocephalus
Rationale: Hydrocephalus is caused by excessive production or impaired absorption of
cerebrospinal fluid, leading to ventricular dilation .
5. The normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult is:
A. 40–60 beats per minute
B. 60–100 beats per minute
C. 100–140 beats per minute
D. 140–180 beats per minute
Answer: B – 60–100 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 bpm. Bradycardia is below 60, and
tachycardia exceeds 100 .
6. In which layer of the skin are sebaceous glands located?
A. Epidermis
B. Dermis
C. Subcutaneous tissue
D. Fascia
Answer: B – Dermis
Rationale: Sebaceous glands are located in the dermis, the middle layer of skin. They secrete
sebum for lubrication .
7. Which of the following arteries is commonly used for taking a blood pressure reading?
A. Radial artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Femoral artery
D. Popliteal artery
Answer: B – Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is the standard site for blood pressure measurement .
8. Which body cavity contains the heart and lungs?
A. Abdominal cavity
B. Pelvic cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Cranial cavity
Answer: C – Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and other mediastinal structures.
9. The term "distal" means:
, 3
A. Toward the midline
B. Away from the point of origin
C. Toward the head
D. Toward the back
Answer: B – Away from the point of origin
Rationale: Distal describes a location farther from the point of attachment or origin.
10. Which of the following is the largest organ in the human body?
A. Liver
B. Skin
C. Brain
D. Lungs
Answer: B – Skin
Rationale: The skin is the largest organ of the body, serving as a protective barrier.
11. Which of the following structures is separated first when a paramedian incision is
performed?
A. Peritoneum
B. Transverse abdominis
C. External oblique
D. Rectus abdominis
Answer: D – Rectus abdominis
Rationale: A paramedian incision separates the rectus abdominis muscle first .
12. Which of the following is MOST likely to be used to stabilize a cervical fracture?
A. Kirschner wire
B. Hoffman device
C. Halo device
D. Steinmann pin
Answer: C – Halo device
Rationale: A halo device is used to stabilize cervical fractures, providing immobilization of
the cervical spine .
13. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the layers of the abdominal wall
from superficial to deep?
A. Skin, fascia, muscle, peritoneum
B. Skin, muscle, fascia, peritoneum
C. Skin, peritoneum, fascia, muscle
D. Skin, fascia, peritoneum, muscle
