NCCT SURGICAL TECH EXAM REVIEW
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?
Have a backup pair of stirrups available in room.
Have adequate padding available in room.
Ensure the surgeon is in the room during positioning.
Place patient in position before the anesthesia. - ANS-Have adequate padding available in
room.
Rationale: The patient's legs can be put in stirrups after anesthesia has given permission to
move the patient's legs. The surgeon does not have to be in the room to position the patient.
When positioning the legs in the stirrups it is necessary to pad the legs and feet.
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?
Andrews tip suction and Raytec sponges
Poole tip suction and Lap sponges
Poole tip suction and Raytec sponges
Andrews tip suction and Lap sponges - ANS-Poole tip suction and Lap sponges
Rationale: Poole suction can suction much more quickly than an Andrews tip, due to its size.
Lap sponges have the ability to absorb greater quantities of fluid than a raytec does.
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
Rationale: Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into
smaller pieces for easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller
incisions and shorter surgery time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving
the uterus because it is used to cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously. LigaSure and
Enseal are used to help seal vessels.
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?
Jackson Pratt
Chest tube
Penrose
Hemovac - ANS-Chest tube
Rationale: Any time the chest cavity is entered and the normally present negative
intrapleural pressure is compromised, a chest tube must be placed to reestablish the
negative pressure. A Penrose is a passive drain that is partially placed within the wound
allowing fluid to move out of the tube onto a dressing. The Jackson Pratt drain is commonly
,used for general and abdominal procedures for moderate drainage. The Hemovac drainage
is commonly used for orthopedics for moderate drainage.
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
Rationale: A hydrocelectomy is the accumulation of fluid in the membrane tunica vaginalis
which covers the male testes. The scrotal support would help support the male testes.
Elastoplast is tape and would not be used. Gauze packing is used to pack an incision and
not used as a dressing. An ace bandage is used on an extremity to cover dressings.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a
fractured femur EX Fix.
skin graft.
cataract surgery.
TURP. - ANS-skin graft.
Rationale: The skin graft requires a pressure dressing—a three-layer dressing for the
absorption of excessive drainage used to promote wound healing. The other surgeries do
not require a pressure dressing.
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?
The patient is under fire hazard precautions.
The patient is under isolation precautions.
The patient is under airborne precautions.
The patient is under droplet precautions. - ANS-The patient is under isolation precautions.
Rationale: Staphylococcus Aureus is the most commonly transmitted pathogen in the OR.
Debridement is occurring due to infected and or necrosed tissue. To safely control
transmission of microorganisms, the patient must be placed under isolation precautions.
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.
Rationale: Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack is the
first step in the procedure. Then place a hold on the use of the sets until the BI test results
are available.
, After connecting the water seal drainage system to the chest tube, where should the
technologist place the water seal drainage system?
Below the level of the thoracic cavity
Above the level of the thoracic cavity
Level with the thoracic cavity
Distal to the thoracic cavity - ANS-Below the level of the thoracic cavity
Rationale: Placing the drainage system below the level of the thoracic cavity facilitates
gravity drainage into the device. It cannot drain if placed higher than the level of the thoracic
cavity. Placing the drainage tube higher may also result in fluid already collected to flow back
into the chest cavity, which could cause an infection.
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
Rationale: The CO2 tank should be checked before the procedure is opened up or before
the surgical technologist scrubs. The GIA stapler is used on open procedures. For a
laparoscopic appendectomy, a camera and light cord are necessary to access the peritoneal
cavity so the insufflation can be possible. Trocars are also necessary to for the laparoscopic
instruments to enter the peritoneal cavity.
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.
Rationale: Before removing drape you must place a sterile towel over the wound to prevent
debris from falling on site, remove drape, remove top soil gloves, and place dressings on
site.
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general anesthesia for a right
hip arthroplasty. Which of the following will best help to prevent perioperative positioning
injuries?
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. - ANS-Ensure all bony
prominences are sufficiently padded.
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if bony prominences
are not cushioned and protected from the hard surface of the operating room table. Their
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?
Have a backup pair of stirrups available in room.
Have adequate padding available in room.
Ensure the surgeon is in the room during positioning.
Place patient in position before the anesthesia. - ANS-Have adequate padding available in
room.
Rationale: The patient's legs can be put in stirrups after anesthesia has given permission to
move the patient's legs. The surgeon does not have to be in the room to position the patient.
When positioning the legs in the stirrups it is necessary to pad the legs and feet.
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?
Andrews tip suction and Raytec sponges
Poole tip suction and Lap sponges
Poole tip suction and Raytec sponges
Andrews tip suction and Lap sponges - ANS-Poole tip suction and Lap sponges
Rationale: Poole suction can suction much more quickly than an Andrews tip, due to its size.
Lap sponges have the ability to absorb greater quantities of fluid than a raytec does.
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
Rationale: Morcellation, during gynecological procedures, means cutting the specimen into
smaller pieces for easier removal. This has many benefits to the patient, including smaller
incisions and shorter surgery time. The harmonic scalpel would not be helpful in retrieving
the uterus because it is used to cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously. LigaSure and
Enseal are used to help seal vessels.
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?
Jackson Pratt
Chest tube
Penrose
Hemovac - ANS-Chest tube
Rationale: Any time the chest cavity is entered and the normally present negative
intrapleural pressure is compromised, a chest tube must be placed to reestablish the
negative pressure. A Penrose is a passive drain that is partially placed within the wound
allowing fluid to move out of the tube onto a dressing. The Jackson Pratt drain is commonly
,used for general and abdominal procedures for moderate drainage. The Hemovac drainage
is commonly used for orthopedics for moderate drainage.
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
Rationale: A hydrocelectomy is the accumulation of fluid in the membrane tunica vaginalis
which covers the male testes. The scrotal support would help support the male testes.
Elastoplast is tape and would not be used. Gauze packing is used to pack an incision and
not used as a dressing. An ace bandage is used on an extremity to cover dressings.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a
fractured femur EX Fix.
skin graft.
cataract surgery.
TURP. - ANS-skin graft.
Rationale: The skin graft requires a pressure dressing—a three-layer dressing for the
absorption of excessive drainage used to promote wound healing. The other surgeries do
not require a pressure dressing.
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?
The patient is under fire hazard precautions.
The patient is under isolation precautions.
The patient is under airborne precautions.
The patient is under droplet precautions. - ANS-The patient is under isolation precautions.
Rationale: Staphylococcus Aureus is the most commonly transmitted pathogen in the OR.
Debridement is occurring due to infected and or necrosed tissue. To safely control
transmission of microorganisms, the patient must be placed under isolation precautions.
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.
Rationale: Unwrap, decontaminate and re-sterilize implants with a biological test pack is the
first step in the procedure. Then place a hold on the use of the sets until the BI test results
are available.
, After connecting the water seal drainage system to the chest tube, where should the
technologist place the water seal drainage system?
Below the level of the thoracic cavity
Above the level of the thoracic cavity
Level with the thoracic cavity
Distal to the thoracic cavity - ANS-Below the level of the thoracic cavity
Rationale: Placing the drainage system below the level of the thoracic cavity facilitates
gravity drainage into the device. It cannot drain if placed higher than the level of the thoracic
cavity. Placing the drainage tube higher may also result in fluid already collected to flow back
into the chest cavity, which could cause an infection.
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
Rationale: The CO2 tank should be checked before the procedure is opened up or before
the surgical technologist scrubs. The GIA stapler is used on open procedures. For a
laparoscopic appendectomy, a camera and light cord are necessary to access the peritoneal
cavity so the insufflation can be possible. Trocars are also necessary to for the laparoscopic
instruments to enter the peritoneal cavity.
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.
Rationale: Before removing drape you must place a sterile towel over the wound to prevent
debris from falling on site, remove drape, remove top soil gloves, and place dressings on
site.
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general anesthesia for a right
hip arthroplasty. Which of the following will best help to prevent perioperative positioning
injuries?
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. - ANS-Ensure all bony
prominences are sufficiently padded.
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if bony prominences
are not cushioned and protected from the hard surface of the operating room table. Their
