CST - NBSTSA Exam UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Tympanosplasty - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical operation performed for the
reconstruction of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear
(ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep the
patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Regown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lateral
What is the kraske position? - CORRECT ANSWER - Anatomical position in which the
patient is prone, with hips flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - CORRECT ANSWER - A drape with an opening that allows
exposure of the operative site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist
was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is
scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of action? - CORRECT ANSWER - New
sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should
be disposed of
,What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless
field? - CORRECT ANSWER - Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped
with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile because
they are: - CORRECT ANSWER - Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should be:
- CORRECT ANSWER - Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Re-establish the
negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Hold
the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of
suture? - CORRECT ANSWER - Purse-string
,Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - CORRECT ANSWER - Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - CORRECT ANSWER - Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - CORRECT ANSWER - Placed in separate containers
and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient in
the operating room? - CORRECT ANSWER - Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should
first notify the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted
by the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Cholangiography
, Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - CORRECT ANSWER - Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - CORRECT ANSWER - Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth and
around the bar? - CORRECT ANSWER - 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - CORRECT ANSWER - De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Track amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum. Which layer will be
sutured next? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fascia
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Tympanosplasty - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical operation performed for the
reconstruction of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear
(ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep the
patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Regown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lateral
What is the kraske position? - CORRECT ANSWER - Anatomical position in which the
patient is prone, with hips flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - CORRECT ANSWER - A drape with an opening that allows
exposure of the operative site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist
was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is
scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of action? - CORRECT ANSWER - New
sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should
be disposed of
,What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless
field? - CORRECT ANSWER - Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped
with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile because
they are: - CORRECT ANSWER - Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should be:
- CORRECT ANSWER - Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Re-establish the
negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Hold
the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of
suture? - CORRECT ANSWER - Purse-string
,Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - CORRECT ANSWER - Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - CORRECT ANSWER - Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - CORRECT ANSWER - Placed in separate containers
and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient in
the operating room? - CORRECT ANSWER - Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should
first notify the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted
by the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Cholangiography
, Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - CORRECT ANSWER - Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - CORRECT ANSWER - Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth and
around the bar? - CORRECT ANSWER - 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - CORRECT ANSWER - De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Track amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum. Which layer will be
sutured next? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fascia
