NBSTSA CST CERTIFICATION EXAM
2025 NEWESTA ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWER
During application of a Volar splint, the surgical
technologist notices that the splint was not completely
dried and has caused a pressure point on the patient.
Which of the following should be the surgical
technologist's NEXT step?
A.Allow the splint to remain as-is and allow more time to
dry.
B.Notify the nurse and let the nurse handle it.
C.Bring it to the surgeon's attention and assist in putting
on a new splint.
D.Apply a new splint and notify the surgeon when finished.
Correct Answer C.Bring it to the surgeon's attention and
assist in putting on a new splint.
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a
procedure has begun should be counted by the
A.circulator and surgeon.
B.surgical technologist and surgical first assistant.
C.surgeon and surgical first assistant.
D.surgical technologist and the circulator. Correct Answer
D.surgical technologist and the circulator.
,Which of the following spore-forming microorganisms are
used as biological monitors for checking steam
sterilization effectiveness for a load of instruments in a
rigid container?
A.Bacillus stearothermophilus
B.Bacillus atrophaeus
C.Mycobacterium tuberculosis
D.Streptococcus pyogenes Correct Answer A.Bacillus
stearothermophilus
After surgery, the scrub tech takes the instruments used in
surgery to the decontamination area. How soon should
these instruments be washed?
A.within 20 minutes
B.within 10 minutes
C.as soon as they arrive to the decontamination area
D.any time the technologist is available Correct Answer
A.within 20 minutes
Which of the following types of laser is typically used for
stone fragmentation in the ureter?
A.argon
B.krypton
C.carbon dioxide
D.holmium: YAG Correct Answer D.holmium: YAG
,If a patient is undergoing a mastectomy immediately
followed by reconstruction, how many surgical setups
should be obtained?
A.One; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, so the same instruments can be used
without additional interventions.
B.One; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, so the same instruments can be used after
they are cleaned with sterile water.
C.Two; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, but a second set of instruments should be
used to prevent seeding.
D.Two; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, but it will be done in a different OR so two
sets are needed. Correct Answer C.Two; the
reconstruction will immediately follow the mastectomy, but
a second set of instruments should be used to prevent
seeding.
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a
vascular graft from one incision to another?
A.hemostat
B.tunneler
C.DeBakey vascular forceps
D.Randall Stone forceps Correct Answer B.tunneler
A patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site
after the surgeon has left the room. The surgical
technologist should
, A.place a pressure dressing on the site.
B.cover the site with Dermabond.
C.use a Steri-Strip for the incision site.
D.request the surgeon to return. Correct Answer D.request
the surgeon to return.
The surgical technologist hands the surgeon the dressing
at the end of a procedure. Which of the following is the
BEST method to follow in regard to removing the drape?
A.The circulator applies the tape before the removal of the
drape.
B.The circulator assists the surgeon with cleaning the
patient before removing the drape.
C.A sterile team member holds the dressing in place while
the drape is removed.
D.A sterile team member applies the tape after the drape
has been removed. Correct Answer C.A sterile team
member holds the dressing in place while the drape is
removed.
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just
closed the peritoneum. Which of the following layers will
be sutured NEXT?
A.fascia
B.muscle
C.subcutaneous
D.subcuticular Correct Answer A.fascia
2025 NEWESTA ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWER
During application of a Volar splint, the surgical
technologist notices that the splint was not completely
dried and has caused a pressure point on the patient.
Which of the following should be the surgical
technologist's NEXT step?
A.Allow the splint to remain as-is and allow more time to
dry.
B.Notify the nurse and let the nurse handle it.
C.Bring it to the surgeon's attention and assist in putting
on a new splint.
D.Apply a new splint and notify the surgeon when finished.
Correct Answer C.Bring it to the surgeon's attention and
assist in putting on a new splint.
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a
procedure has begun should be counted by the
A.circulator and surgeon.
B.surgical technologist and surgical first assistant.
C.surgeon and surgical first assistant.
D.surgical technologist and the circulator. Correct Answer
D.surgical technologist and the circulator.
,Which of the following spore-forming microorganisms are
used as biological monitors for checking steam
sterilization effectiveness for a load of instruments in a
rigid container?
A.Bacillus stearothermophilus
B.Bacillus atrophaeus
C.Mycobacterium tuberculosis
D.Streptococcus pyogenes Correct Answer A.Bacillus
stearothermophilus
After surgery, the scrub tech takes the instruments used in
surgery to the decontamination area. How soon should
these instruments be washed?
A.within 20 minutes
B.within 10 minutes
C.as soon as they arrive to the decontamination area
D.any time the technologist is available Correct Answer
A.within 20 minutes
Which of the following types of laser is typically used for
stone fragmentation in the ureter?
A.argon
B.krypton
C.carbon dioxide
D.holmium: YAG Correct Answer D.holmium: YAG
,If a patient is undergoing a mastectomy immediately
followed by reconstruction, how many surgical setups
should be obtained?
A.One; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, so the same instruments can be used
without additional interventions.
B.One; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, so the same instruments can be used after
they are cleaned with sterile water.
C.Two; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, but a second set of instruments should be
used to prevent seeding.
D.Two; the reconstruction will immediately follow the
mastectomy, but it will be done in a different OR so two
sets are needed. Correct Answer C.Two; the
reconstruction will immediately follow the mastectomy, but
a second set of instruments should be used to prevent
seeding.
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a
vascular graft from one incision to another?
A.hemostat
B.tunneler
C.DeBakey vascular forceps
D.Randall Stone forceps Correct Answer B.tunneler
A patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site
after the surgeon has left the room. The surgical
technologist should
, A.place a pressure dressing on the site.
B.cover the site with Dermabond.
C.use a Steri-Strip for the incision site.
D.request the surgeon to return. Correct Answer D.request
the surgeon to return.
The surgical technologist hands the surgeon the dressing
at the end of a procedure. Which of the following is the
BEST method to follow in regard to removing the drape?
A.The circulator applies the tape before the removal of the
drape.
B.The circulator assists the surgeon with cleaning the
patient before removing the drape.
C.A sterile team member holds the dressing in place while
the drape is removed.
D.A sterile team member applies the tape after the drape
has been removed. Correct Answer C.A sterile team
member holds the dressing in place while the drape is
removed.
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just
closed the peritoneum. Which of the following layers will
be sutured NEXT?
A.fascia
B.muscle
C.subcutaneous
D.subcuticular Correct Answer A.fascia
