AST Practice Exam ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into
the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT
step?
Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
Continue removing the appendix as planned.
Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation.
Close the wound and terminate the procedure. - CORRECT ANSWER - Suction the fluid
from the abdomen.
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical technologist
begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back.
According to best practice, which of the following should be the NEXT step?
Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down.
Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed again.
Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported to
PACU.
Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed again. -
CORRECT ANSWER - Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until
the patient is transported to PACU.
,Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
several squared gauze sponges
rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER - several fluffed sponges and
rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to proximal
applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the tourniquet
padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril - CORRECT
ANSWER - padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp
the cervix?
,Sims
Auvard
Schroeder
Bozeman - CORRECT ANSWER - Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
three, two
two, three
three, three
two, two - CORRECT ANSWER - three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the
circulating nurse.
contaminating team member.
OR supervisor.
, anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER - contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
hydrocephalus
encephalocele
cranial bifida
craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER - hydrocephalus
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
diaphysis.
medullary canal.
epiphyseal plate.
articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER - epiphyseal plate.
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional
lap sponges.
Raytec sponges.
Questions and CORRECT Answers
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into
the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT
step?
Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
Continue removing the appendix as planned.
Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation.
Close the wound and terminate the procedure. - CORRECT ANSWER - Suction the fluid
from the abdomen.
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical technologist
begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back.
According to best practice, which of the following should be the NEXT step?
Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down.
Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed again.
Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported to
PACU.
Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are needed again. -
CORRECT ANSWER - Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until
the patient is transported to PACU.
,Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
several squared gauze sponges
rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER - several fluffed sponges and
rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to proximal
applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the tourniquet
padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril - CORRECT
ANSWER - padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp
the cervix?
,Sims
Auvard
Schroeder
Bozeman - CORRECT ANSWER - Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
three, two
two, three
three, three
two, two - CORRECT ANSWER - three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the
circulating nurse.
contaminating team member.
OR supervisor.
, anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER - contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
hydrocephalus
encephalocele
cranial bifida
craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER - hydrocephalus
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
diaphysis.
medullary canal.
epiphyseal plate.
articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER - epiphyseal plate.
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional
lap sponges.
Raytec sponges.
