CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
What structure is located in the alveolar processes? - correct answer teeth.
The anesthesia provider decides when the patient is stable and ready for transport from the OR
to the PACU.
Which of the following is the wound classification for a bronchoscopy? - correct answer Clean-
contaminated.
Clean-contaminated procedures include those when the aerodigestive tract is entered. The
bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the bronchial tubes. The procedure is
considered clean, not sterile.
The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is? - correct answer
alpha-chymotrypsin.
Alpha-chymotrypsin is a solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before cataract
surgery to ease extraction of the lens.
How should the stretcher be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a patient
to the OR? - correct answer enter head first, exit feet first
The patient should be placed in the elevator entering head first and exit feet first when being
transported to the OR on the stretcher.
What is the curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently used in
gynecological surgery? - correct answer Pfannenstiel.
Pfannenstiel's incision is a curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen and used
frequently in gynecologic surgery.
When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they should
be positioned? - correct answer flat.
Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the sterilizing cart
flat.
Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of? - correct answer Potassium.
Potassium plays four important roles: influences the electrical excitability of cells; the amount
of potassium in cells affects cell volume; potassium balance is important in maintaining the
acid-base balance; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell metabolism. Hyperkalemia, an
abnormal level of potassium, can be life threatening, causing cardiac irregularities.
Which tissue are cut using curved Mayo scissors? - correct answer fascia.
Curved Mayo scissors are large scissors, with thick blades used to cut tough tissue, such as
fascia, tendons, and muscle.
,CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
What laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them? - correct answer
Argon.
The argon laser beam can travel through clear fluids and tissues.
Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an? - correct answer
informed consent.
Informed consent must be obtained from the patient before any invasive procedure can be
performed. it protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to
be treated and the intervention to be performed.
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter? - correct answer
cardia.
The cardia is the portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach.
Low level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy what? - correct answer spores.
Low level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi and viruses, but do not kill
spores and M.tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to? - correct answer webbed fingers.
webbing of the digits is syndactyly.
The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the? - correct answer
backtable.
Surgical packs should be opened on the backtable.
The islets of Langerhans secrete? - correct answer insulin.
The islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth? - correct answer Extractions.
The removal of a tooth or teeth is an extraction procedure. The resection of the soft tissue and
excision of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal is called odontectomy.
Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract? - correct answer Escherichia
Coli.
Escherichia coli is a gram negative rod that is part of the normal flora of the intestinal tract of
humans and is also an opportunistic bacteria.
Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the surgeon to
square off an incision site? - correct answer same side as surgeon.
,CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
When using four towels for squaring off the incision site, the first towel will be passed when
standing on the same side as the surgeon.
A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin? - correct answer surgically clean.
The skin is rendered surgically clean when a properly performed surgical scrub is done.
Where do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty? - correct answer Ampulla of
Vater.
The pancreatic ducts join at the ampulla of Vater.
What identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID bracelet prior to transporting a
patient to the OR? - correct answer Name, DOB, and physician
What are spiral shaped bacteria called? - correct answer spirilli
The primary function of the gallbladder is to? - correct answer store bile.
The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine.
Which of the following is a non-sterile member of the surgical team? - correct answer circulator
Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface mounted sliding doors for access to the
operating room? - correct answer aid in controlling temperature.
Sliding doors are usually used in the OR because they eliminate air currents caused by swinging
doors, but a disadvantage is they do not aid in controlling OR temperature.
What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure? - correct answer time,
shielding, distance
Which is the first part of the small intestine? - correct answer duodenum.
The duodenum starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach.
What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery? - correct
answer lateral.
The surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery is the lateral
position with the operative site exposed.
How are rickettsiae transmitted? - correct answer arthropod bites.
Most rickettsiae are obligated intracellular parasites. They are usually transmitted by arthropod
vectors.
Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular microscope? - correct
answer colposcopy.
, CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
A binocular microscope is used during an examination of the vagina called a colposcopy. Colpo
is a word root that means vagina.
Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called? - correct answer
Tamponade.
Tamponade is the compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium.
Which surgical team member determines when the patient can be transported from the OR to
the PACU? - correct answer anesthesia provider
Which suffix means surgical puncture to remove fluid? - correct answer -centesis.
The suffix -centesis means surgical puncture. When combined with arthrocentesis, it means
surgical puncture of joint space with a needle to remove fluid.
To which portion of the colon is the appendix attached? - correct answer cecum
Which laboratory test determines bacterial identification? - correct answer gram stain.
A gram stain determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
Medication used to dilate the pupil is called? - correct answer Mydriatics.
Mydriatics are used to dilate the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens.
Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated? - correct answer U-drape.
A u-drape is a type of nonfenestrated split sheet. The tails are created by a U-shape in the
center of the drape.
Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to remove a patient's identification
bracelet? - correct answer never until patient is discharged from facility
What is the position most commonly used for mitral valve replacement? - correct answer
supine
Which laser is best used during a vitrectomy? - correct answer Argon.
The argon laser is used because the beam travels through clear tissues without heating it,
making it ideal for use on retinal disorders.
Which of the following monitors provides positive assurance of sterility? - correct answer
biological.
The biological indicator (BI) contains Bacillus stearothermophilus which is killed when exposed
to steam sterilization conditions. The BI is the only test that guarantees sterility.
What structure is located in the alveolar processes? - correct answer teeth.
The anesthesia provider decides when the patient is stable and ready for transport from the OR
to the PACU.
Which of the following is the wound classification for a bronchoscopy? - correct answer Clean-
contaminated.
Clean-contaminated procedures include those when the aerodigestive tract is entered. The
bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the bronchial tubes. The procedure is
considered clean, not sterile.
The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is? - correct answer
alpha-chymotrypsin.
Alpha-chymotrypsin is a solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before cataract
surgery to ease extraction of the lens.
How should the stretcher be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a patient
to the OR? - correct answer enter head first, exit feet first
The patient should be placed in the elevator entering head first and exit feet first when being
transported to the OR on the stretcher.
What is the curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently used in
gynecological surgery? - correct answer Pfannenstiel.
Pfannenstiel's incision is a curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen and used
frequently in gynecologic surgery.
When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they should
be positioned? - correct answer flat.
Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the sterilizing cart
flat.
Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of? - correct answer Potassium.
Potassium plays four important roles: influences the electrical excitability of cells; the amount
of potassium in cells affects cell volume; potassium balance is important in maintaining the
acid-base balance; the amount of potassium in cells affects cell metabolism. Hyperkalemia, an
abnormal level of potassium, can be life threatening, causing cardiac irregularities.
Which tissue are cut using curved Mayo scissors? - correct answer fascia.
Curved Mayo scissors are large scissors, with thick blades used to cut tough tissue, such as
fascia, tendons, and muscle.
,CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
What laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them? - correct answer
Argon.
The argon laser beam can travel through clear fluids and tissues.
Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an? - correct answer
informed consent.
Informed consent must be obtained from the patient before any invasive procedure can be
performed. it protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to
be treated and the intervention to be performed.
Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter? - correct answer
cardia.
The cardia is the portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach.
Low level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy what? - correct answer spores.
Low level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and some fungi and viruses, but do not kill
spores and M.tuberculosis
Syndactyly refers to? - correct answer webbed fingers.
webbing of the digits is syndactyly.
The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the? - correct answer
backtable.
Surgical packs should be opened on the backtable.
The islets of Langerhans secrete? - correct answer insulin.
The islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth? - correct answer Extractions.
The removal of a tooth or teeth is an extraction procedure. The resection of the soft tissue and
excision of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal is called odontectomy.
Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract? - correct answer Escherichia
Coli.
Escherichia coli is a gram negative rod that is part of the normal flora of the intestinal tract of
humans and is also an opportunistic bacteria.
Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the surgeon to
square off an incision site? - correct answer same side as surgeon.
,CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
When using four towels for squaring off the incision site, the first towel will be passed when
standing on the same side as the surgeon.
A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin? - correct answer surgically clean.
The skin is rendered surgically clean when a properly performed surgical scrub is done.
Where do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty? - correct answer Ampulla of
Vater.
The pancreatic ducts join at the ampulla of Vater.
What identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID bracelet prior to transporting a
patient to the OR? - correct answer Name, DOB, and physician
What are spiral shaped bacteria called? - correct answer spirilli
The primary function of the gallbladder is to? - correct answer store bile.
The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine.
Which of the following is a non-sterile member of the surgical team? - correct answer circulator
Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface mounted sliding doors for access to the
operating room? - correct answer aid in controlling temperature.
Sliding doors are usually used in the OR because they eliminate air currents caused by swinging
doors, but a disadvantage is they do not aid in controlling OR temperature.
What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure? - correct answer time,
shielding, distance
Which is the first part of the small intestine? - correct answer duodenum.
The duodenum starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach.
What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery? - correct
answer lateral.
The surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery is the lateral
position with the operative site exposed.
How are rickettsiae transmitted? - correct answer arthropod bites.
Most rickettsiae are obligated intracellular parasites. They are usually transmitted by arthropod
vectors.
Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular microscope? - correct
answer colposcopy.
, CST REVIEW: AST Practice Exams 1-6
A binocular microscope is used during an examination of the vagina called a colposcopy. Colpo
is a word root that means vagina.
Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called? - correct answer
Tamponade.
Tamponade is the compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium.
Which surgical team member determines when the patient can be transported from the OR to
the PACU? - correct answer anesthesia provider
Which suffix means surgical puncture to remove fluid? - correct answer -centesis.
The suffix -centesis means surgical puncture. When combined with arthrocentesis, it means
surgical puncture of joint space with a needle to remove fluid.
To which portion of the colon is the appendix attached? - correct answer cecum
Which laboratory test determines bacterial identification? - correct answer gram stain.
A gram stain determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
Medication used to dilate the pupil is called? - correct answer Mydriatics.
Mydriatics are used to dilate the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens.
Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated? - correct answer U-drape.
A u-drape is a type of nonfenestrated split sheet. The tails are created by a U-shape in the
center of the drape.
Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to remove a patient's identification
bracelet? - correct answer never until patient is discharged from facility
What is the position most commonly used for mitral valve replacement? - correct answer
supine
Which laser is best used during a vitrectomy? - correct answer Argon.
The argon laser is used because the beam travels through clear tissues without heating it,
making it ideal for use on retinal disorders.
Which of the following monitors provides positive assurance of sterility? - correct answer
biological.
The biological indicator (BI) contains Bacillus stearothermophilus which is killed when exposed
to steam sterilization conditions. The BI is the only test that guarantees sterility.
