NCCT tech in surgery practice exam
A 21-year-old patient is rushed to the OR with a self-inflicted stab wound to the groin. The
wound is an inch in length and the patient has flat lined with a steady flow of blood pumping
from the small wound. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist have
ready for the surgeon? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Yankauer suction
Lap sponges
Raytec sponges
Frazier suction
Knife blade - ANS-Lap sponges, Knife blade, Yankauer suction
A cardiac arrest occurs during a thoracotomy procedure, and the surgeon calls a CODE
BLUE. The surgeon is attempting to resuscitate the patient using CPR. Which of the
following is the responsibility of the surgical technologist in this situation? - ANS-Prepare
internal defibrillator paddles.
A class II or a clean-contaminated surgical wound enters through where?
Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
Respiratory, genital, or urinary tract but not GI
GI and genital only
Respiratory only - ANS-Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
A GYN patient is scheduled to have a D&C procedure. To prevent the risk of skin and
neurovascular pressure or injury when the patient is placed in stirrups in the lithotomy
position, which of the following must the surgical team do? - ANS-Have adequate padding
available in room.
A gynecologic oncology surgeon decides to bring her patient into the OR emergently after
seeing her in the office. The patient's abdomen is greatly distended, warm and firm to the
touch. Which of the following should the surgical technologist have available? - ANS-Poole
tip suction and Lap sponges
A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a Bovie. Which of
the following solutions should the surgical technologist have available in the room for control
of bleeding? - ANS-Monsels solution
A patient is having a hysteroscopy for myomectomy excision. The patient has been under
anesthesia for an hour and is starting to show signs of extreme swelling. Which of the
following is most critical to monitor in order to prevent these symptoms? - ANS-Fluid intake
and output
A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to
extract the uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical
technologist have available to retrieve the uterus?
Harmonic scalpel
LigaSure
Morcellator
Enseal - ANS-Morcellator
A patient is undergoing a right partial pneumonectomy. Which of the following drains should
the surgical technologist prepare for placement at the end of the case? - ANS-Chest tube
,A patient presents to the operating room for a hydrocelectomy. Which of the following
dressings should the surgical technologist anticipate needing?
Ace bandage
Gauze packing
Scrotal support
Elastoplast - ANS-Scrotal support
A patient presents to the operating room for irrigation and debridement of a wound caused
by penetrating trauma. The surgeon states that the wound will heal by secondary intention.
Which of the following dressing types should the surgical technologist ask the circulator for?
Steri-Strips
Bio-occlusive Opsite
ABD
Bolsters - ANS-ABD
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures?
The recovery room nurse maintains possession of the labeled denture cup until post-surgery.
The circulator places the dentures in a labeled denture cup and keeps them with the
patient's chart.
The anesthesia provider holds the labeled denture cup until the patient is awake.
The charge nurse holds the labeled denture cup in a secure area until post-surgery. -
ANS-The circulator places the dentures in a labeled denture cup and keeps them with the
patient's chart.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a
fractured femur EX Fix.
skin graft.
cataract surgery.
TURP. - ANS-skin graft
A surgical technologist (ST) is notified of a burn patient coming into the OR for a
debridement. The ST volunteers to assist in transporting the patient from the patient's room
to the OR with other non-direct health care providers. Before entering the patient's room, the
ST dons a gown, gloves, and mask to retrieve the patient. Why is this the proper protocol? -
ANS-The patient is under isolation precautions.
A surgical technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the following
items should the technologist hold in order to watch costs? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) - ANS-Closing suture, 11 knife blade, Extra Raytec
A surgical technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the following
items should the technologist hold in order to watch costs? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) - ANS-Closing suture, 11 knife blade, Extra Raytec
A surgical technologist relieves another technologist during a case. After the first surgical
technologist leaves, the relieving technologist realizes that the medication on the field is not
labeled. Which of the following is the first action the relieving surgical technologist should
take?
Ask the surgeon to verify the medication and irrigating solution on the field.
Ask the circulator to verify the medication and irrigating solution on the field.
Call the first technologist back to the room to verify the medication and irrigating solution.
, Discard the medication and irrigating solution on the field and start over. - ANS-Discard the
medication and irrigating solution on the field and start over.
A surgical technologist working the night shift is preparing implants for the next morning.
After running the autoclave, the cycle fails. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist do?
Rerun the wrapped implants with an external chemical monitor taped to the outside of the
sets to ensure proper sterility has been achieved.
Ask the night operating room supervisor to postpone the orthopedic surgical procedure until
the oncoming day shift surgical technologists can run a BI test pack on the first load of the
day.
Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack and place a hold
on the use of the sets until the BI test results are available.
Have the sterilizer scheduled for repair and halt the sterilization of all implants. -
ANS-Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack and place a
hold on the use of the sets until the BI test results are available.
After a surgical procedure, where should all unused surgical materials be returned to? -
ANS-Central Supply
After a tracheostomy procedure the surgical technologist should keep which of the following
items sterile on the back table until the patient leaves the room?
Tracheostomy hook and spreader
Tracheostomy obturator
Tracheostomy inner cannula
Endotracheal tube - ANS-Tracheostomy hook and spreader
After scrubbing in and draping the patient, which of following does the surgical technologist
need to check when preparing for a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Camera
CO2 tank
Trocars
GIA stapler
Light cords - ANS-Camera, Trocars, Light cords
After skin closure, which of the following sequences for removing and discarding soiled
surgical drapes maintains sterile technique?
Remove the drapes, place dressings on the site, place the drapes into the proper receptacle,
remove top gloves.
Place sterile towels over the site, remove the drapes, remove top gloves, place dressings on
the site.
Remove the drapes, remove top gloves, place dressings on the site, place the drapes into
the proper receptacle.
Place sterile towels over the site, remove top gloves, place dressings on the site, remove the
drapes. - ANS-Place sterile towels over the site, remove the drapes, remove top gloves,
place dressings on the site.
An alert, oriented, and mobile 300 lb. patient is brought into the OR on a transport cart.
Which of the following is the best method of slowly transferring this patient to the OR bed?
Align the beds together, lock the wheels, and use a roller board.
Align the beds together, lock the wheels, and ask the patient to move himself.
Use a mechanical lift to assist in moving the patient.
A 21-year-old patient is rushed to the OR with a self-inflicted stab wound to the groin. The
wound is an inch in length and the patient has flat lined with a steady flow of blood pumping
from the small wound. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist have
ready for the surgeon? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Yankauer suction
Lap sponges
Raytec sponges
Frazier suction
Knife blade - ANS-Lap sponges, Knife blade, Yankauer suction
A cardiac arrest occurs during a thoracotomy procedure, and the surgeon calls a CODE
BLUE. The surgeon is attempting to resuscitate the patient using CPR. Which of the
following is the responsibility of the surgical technologist in this situation? - ANS-Prepare
internal defibrillator paddles.
A class II or a clean-contaminated surgical wound enters through where?
Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
Respiratory, genital, or urinary tract but not GI
GI and genital only
Respiratory only - ANS-Respiratory, GI, genital, or urinary tract
A GYN patient is scheduled to have a D&C procedure. To prevent the risk of skin and
neurovascular pressure or injury when the patient is placed in stirrups in the lithotomy
position, which of the following must the surgical team do? - ANS-Have adequate padding
available in room.
A gynecologic oncology surgeon decides to bring her patient into the OR emergently after
seeing her in the office. The patient's abdomen is greatly distended, warm and firm to the
touch. Which of the following should the surgical technologist have available? - ANS-Poole
tip suction and Lap sponges
A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a Bovie. Which of
the following solutions should the surgical technologist have available in the room for control
of bleeding? - ANS-Monsels solution
A patient is having a hysteroscopy for myomectomy excision. The patient has been under
anesthesia for an hour and is starting to show signs of extreme swelling. Which of the
following is most critical to monitor in order to prevent these symptoms? - ANS-Fluid intake
and output
A patient is having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. If the surgeon is unable to
extract the uterus vaginally, which of the following equipment should the surgical
technologist have available to retrieve the uterus?
Harmonic scalpel
LigaSure
Morcellator
Enseal - ANS-Morcellator
A patient is undergoing a right partial pneumonectomy. Which of the following drains should
the surgical technologist prepare for placement at the end of the case? - ANS-Chest tube
,A patient presents to the operating room for a hydrocelectomy. Which of the following
dressings should the surgical technologist anticipate needing?
Ace bandage
Gauze packing
Scrotal support
Elastoplast - ANS-Scrotal support
A patient presents to the operating room for irrigation and debridement of a wound caused
by penetrating trauma. The surgeon states that the wound will heal by secondary intention.
Which of the following dressing types should the surgical technologist ask the circulator for?
Steri-Strips
Bio-occlusive Opsite
ABD
Bolsters - ANS-ABD
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures?
The recovery room nurse maintains possession of the labeled denture cup until post-surgery.
The circulator places the dentures in a labeled denture cup and keeps them with the
patient's chart.
The anesthesia provider holds the labeled denture cup until the patient is awake.
The charge nurse holds the labeled denture cup in a secure area until post-surgery. -
ANS-The circulator places the dentures in a labeled denture cup and keeps them with the
patient's chart.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a
fractured femur EX Fix.
skin graft.
cataract surgery.
TURP. - ANS-skin graft
A surgical technologist (ST) is notified of a burn patient coming into the OR for a
debridement. The ST volunteers to assist in transporting the patient from the patient's room
to the OR with other non-direct health care providers. Before entering the patient's room, the
ST dons a gown, gloves, and mask to retrieve the patient. Why is this the proper protocol? -
ANS-The patient is under isolation precautions.
A surgical technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the following
items should the technologist hold in order to watch costs? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) - ANS-Closing suture, 11 knife blade, Extra Raytec
A surgical technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the following
items should the technologist hold in order to watch costs? (Select the three (3) correct
answers.) - ANS-Closing suture, 11 knife blade, Extra Raytec
A surgical technologist relieves another technologist during a case. After the first surgical
technologist leaves, the relieving technologist realizes that the medication on the field is not
labeled. Which of the following is the first action the relieving surgical technologist should
take?
Ask the surgeon to verify the medication and irrigating solution on the field.
Ask the circulator to verify the medication and irrigating solution on the field.
Call the first technologist back to the room to verify the medication and irrigating solution.
, Discard the medication and irrigating solution on the field and start over. - ANS-Discard the
medication and irrigating solution on the field and start over.
A surgical technologist working the night shift is preparing implants for the next morning.
After running the autoclave, the cycle fails. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist do?
Rerun the wrapped implants with an external chemical monitor taped to the outside of the
sets to ensure proper sterility has been achieved.
Ask the night operating room supervisor to postpone the orthopedic surgical procedure until
the oncoming day shift surgical technologists can run a BI test pack on the first load of the
day.
Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack and place a hold
on the use of the sets until the BI test results are available.
Have the sterilizer scheduled for repair and halt the sterilization of all implants. -
ANS-Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack and place a
hold on the use of the sets until the BI test results are available.
After a surgical procedure, where should all unused surgical materials be returned to? -
ANS-Central Supply
After a tracheostomy procedure the surgical technologist should keep which of the following
items sterile on the back table until the patient leaves the room?
Tracheostomy hook and spreader
Tracheostomy obturator
Tracheostomy inner cannula
Endotracheal tube - ANS-Tracheostomy hook and spreader
After scrubbing in and draping the patient, which of following does the surgical technologist
need to check when preparing for a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure? (Select the
three (3) correct answers.)
Camera
CO2 tank
Trocars
GIA stapler
Light cords - ANS-Camera, Trocars, Light cords
After skin closure, which of the following sequences for removing and discarding soiled
surgical drapes maintains sterile technique?
Remove the drapes, place dressings on the site, place the drapes into the proper receptacle,
remove top gloves.
Place sterile towels over the site, remove the drapes, remove top gloves, place dressings on
the site.
Remove the drapes, remove top gloves, place dressings on the site, place the drapes into
the proper receptacle.
Place sterile towels over the site, remove top gloves, place dressings on the site, remove the
drapes. - ANS-Place sterile towels over the site, remove the drapes, remove top gloves,
place dressings on the site.
An alert, oriented, and mobile 300 lb. patient is brought into the OR on a transport cart.
Which of the following is the best method of slowly transferring this patient to the OR bed?
Align the beds together, lock the wheels, and use a roller board.
Align the beds together, lock the wheels, and ask the patient to move himself.
Use a mechanical lift to assist in moving the patient.
