AST Certification Exam Study Guide
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Teeth - CORRECT ANSWER - Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the
mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - CORRECT ANSWER - Category of a surgical procedure entering
the GI/GU/Resp tracts ( increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - CORRECT ANSWER - Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth
and into the brachial tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - CORRECT ANSWER - A solution used to soften the zonules
holding the lens before cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - CORRECT ANSWER - How should the patient be placed
in the elevator when being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - CORRECT ANSWER - A curved transverse incision across the lower
abdomen used frequently in gynecological procedures
Flat - CORRECT ANSWER - Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom
should be placed on the sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - CORRECT ANSWER - Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can
cause cardiac irregularities
Potassium - CORRECT ANSWER - Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects
the cells volume, it's balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount
affects cell metabolism
,Curved Mayo - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as
fascia, tendons and muscle
Argon - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and
tissue
Informed consent - CORRECT ANSWER - Obtained by the patient before any invasive
surgery 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
Cardiac - CORRECT ANSWER - Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior
opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - CORRECT ANSWER - Low-level disinfectants kill most
types of bacteria and some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - CORRECT ANSWER - Webbing of the digits is termed:
Back table - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical packs are opened:
Islets of Langerhans - CORRECT ANSWER - Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon,
insulin, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - CORRECT ANSWER - Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - CORRECT ANSWER - Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior
to the removal of a tooth
,Escherichia coli - CORRECT ANSWER - Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the
normal flora of the intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - CORRECT ANSWER - The skin is rendered after a properly performed
surgical scrub is done
Ampulla of Vator - CORRECT ANSWER - The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the
common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - CORRECT ANSWER - Identifies the patient on their ID
bracelet prior to being transported to the OR
Spirilli - CORRECT ANSWER - spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - CORRECT ANSWER - Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - CORRECT ANSWER - Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning of
lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of
ionizing radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation
exposure
Duodenum - CORRECT ANSWER - Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - CORRECT ANSWER - Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to
expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - CORRECT ANSWER - Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted
by arthropod vectors
, Colposcopy - CORRECT ANSWER - Procedure using binocular microscope during an
examination of the vagina
Tamponade - CORRECT ANSWER - Compression of the heart due to a collection of
blood or fluid within the pericardium
Arthrocentesis - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle
to remove fluid
-centesis - CORRECT ANSWER - surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - CORRECT ANSWER - joint
Cecum - CORRECT ANSWER - The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - CORRECT ANSWER - Test that determines the shape and grouping
characteristics of bacteria
Mydriatics - CORRECT ANSWER - Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina,
refraction testing, or easier removal of the lens
Supine - CORRECT ANSWER - Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement
procedure
Argon - CORRECT ANSWER - Laser used because the beam travels through clear tissues
without heating it, making it ideal for use on retinal disorders
Bacillus stearothermophilus - CORRECT ANSWER - Organism used as a biological
indicator which is killed when exposed to steam sterilization conditions
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Teeth - CORRECT ANSWER - Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the
mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - CORRECT ANSWER - Category of a surgical procedure entering
the GI/GU/Resp tracts ( increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - CORRECT ANSWER - Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth
and into the brachial tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - CORRECT ANSWER - A solution used to soften the zonules
holding the lens before cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - CORRECT ANSWER - How should the patient be placed
in the elevator when being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - CORRECT ANSWER - A curved transverse incision across the lower
abdomen used frequently in gynecological procedures
Flat - CORRECT ANSWER - Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom
should be placed on the sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - CORRECT ANSWER - Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can
cause cardiac irregularities
Potassium - CORRECT ANSWER - Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects
the cells volume, it's balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount
affects cell metabolism
,Curved Mayo - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as
fascia, tendons and muscle
Argon - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and
tissue
Informed consent - CORRECT ANSWER - Obtained by the patient before any invasive
surgery 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
Cardiac - CORRECT ANSWER - Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior
opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - CORRECT ANSWER - Low-level disinfectants kill most
types of bacteria and some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - CORRECT ANSWER - Webbing of the digits is termed:
Back table - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical packs are opened:
Islets of Langerhans - CORRECT ANSWER - Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon,
insulin, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - CORRECT ANSWER - Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - CORRECT ANSWER - Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior
to the removal of a tooth
,Escherichia coli - CORRECT ANSWER - Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the
normal flora of the intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - CORRECT ANSWER - The skin is rendered after a properly performed
surgical scrub is done
Ampulla of Vator - CORRECT ANSWER - The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the
common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - CORRECT ANSWER - Identifies the patient on their ID
bracelet prior to being transported to the OR
Spirilli - CORRECT ANSWER - spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - CORRECT ANSWER - Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - CORRECT ANSWER - Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning of
lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of
ionizing radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation
exposure
Duodenum - CORRECT ANSWER - Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - CORRECT ANSWER - Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to
expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - CORRECT ANSWER - Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted
by arthropod vectors
, Colposcopy - CORRECT ANSWER - Procedure using binocular microscope during an
examination of the vagina
Tamponade - CORRECT ANSWER - Compression of the heart due to a collection of
blood or fluid within the pericardium
Arthrocentesis - CORRECT ANSWER - Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle
to remove fluid
-centesis - CORRECT ANSWER - surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - CORRECT ANSWER - joint
Cecum - CORRECT ANSWER - The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - CORRECT ANSWER - Test that determines the shape and grouping
characteristics of bacteria
Mydriatics - CORRECT ANSWER - Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina,
refraction testing, or easier removal of the lens
Supine - CORRECT ANSWER - Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement
procedure
Argon - CORRECT ANSWER - Laser used because the beam travels through clear tissues
without heating it, making it ideal for use on retinal disorders
Bacillus stearothermophilus - CORRECT ANSWER - Organism used as a biological
indicator which is killed when exposed to steam sterilization conditions
