AST Practice Exam Questions and
Answers Latest Versions 2025 Top
Rated A+
Which of the following types of suture would MOST likely be used to repair an abdominal
aortic aneurysm?
A. polyglactin
B. polydioxanone
C. poliglecaprone
D. polypropylene - D
After the initial incision is made for an appendectomy, a surgical technologist should
anticipate the next item needed is
A. blunt forceps.
B. Mayo scissors.
C. an electrosurgical pencil.
D. a Weitlaner retractor. - C
When transferring an immobile or unconscious patient from a stretcher to an operating
room table, the MINIMUM number of people required for the transfer is
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5 - C
Pressure on the downside shoulder of a patient in the lateral position is alleviated by
shifting the upper arm and shoulder slightly forward and placing a foam or gel pad under
the flank area. Which of the following will be avoided using this positioning technique?
A. retroclavicular compression
B. lumbosacral nerve root impingement
C. ulnar nerve compression
D. subacromial impingement - A
During a surgical procedure, a patient requires a blood transfusion. After the transfusion is
initiated, the patient's urinary output ceases. This is indicative of
A. malignant hyperthermia.
B. a hemorrhage.
C. a hemolytic reaction.
,D. anaphylaxis. - C
A local medication containing epinephrine may be chosen for which of the following
reasons?
A. prolong anesthetic effect
B. relax smooth muscles
C. stop hemorrhage
D. stimulates vasodilation - A
Which of the following drugs should be administered to a patient with malignant
hyperthermia?
A. dantrolene
B. naloxone
C. carboprost
D. vasopressin - A
Which of the following is a fracture that occurs at the epiphysis of the distal radius?
A. compound
B. Pott's
C. transverse
D. Colles' - D
Operating room equipment spreads microorganisms through which of the following?
A. mutualism
B. vector
C. parasitism
D. fomite - D
A suture's ability to absorb moisture and hold in body fluids is referred to as which of the
following?
A. pliability
B. capillary action
,C. absorption
D. bioactivity - B
Which of the following is used to retract lung tissue?
A. Allison
B. Doyen
C. Army
D. Davidson - A
Items needed for immediate use should be sterilized with
A. ethylene oxide.
B. hydrogen peroxide.
C. steam.
D. glutaraldehyde. - C
Which of the following is the correct order of steps during a carotid endarterectomy?
1. The graft is checked for leaks and extra sutures are placed as needed.
2. An arteriotomy is made into the common carotid artery and extended upward.
3. A graft is sutured over the arteriotomy.
4. Atherosclerotic plaque is dissected from the vessel wall.
A. 2, 3, 1, 4
B. 2, 4, 3, 1
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 3, 4, 2, 1 - B
Which of the following is the sequence of events for an open procedure?
A. incision, retraction, hemostasis, dissection
B. incision, hemostasis, dissection, retraction
C. incision, dissection, retraction, hemostasis
D. incision, dissection, hemostasis, retraction - B
Which of the following should the surgical technologist don first?
A. hair cover
B. mask
C. sterile gloves
D. gown - A
Which of the following serrations is unique to most vascular clamps?
A. horizontal
B. atraumatic
, C. cross-hatched
D. crushing - B
Where should the safety strap be placed on a patient undergoing a laparotomy?
A. 2 inches distal to knees
B. 2 inches proximal to knees
C. 2 inches proximal to pelvis
D. 2 inches distal to pelvis - B
For which of the following conditions would a miotic, such as acetylcholine chloride, be
used?
A. cataract
B. retinal detachment
C. pterygium
D. chalazion - A
Which of the following relative humidity levels is appropriate for the OR?
A. 55%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75% - A
Which of the following hernias occurs within Hesselbach's Triangle?
A. direct
B. indirect
C. femoral
D. pantaloon - A
During a Wilms' tumor excision, which of the following veins should be identified, double-
clamped with hemostats, divided, and ligated with 3-0 silk?
A. mesenteric
B. umbilical
C. renal
D. iliac - B
Which of the following operating room personnel is required to accompany the general
anesthesia patient to PACU?
A. scrubbed surgical technologist
B. PACU nurse
C. anesthesia care provider
Answers Latest Versions 2025 Top
Rated A+
Which of the following types of suture would MOST likely be used to repair an abdominal
aortic aneurysm?
A. polyglactin
B. polydioxanone
C. poliglecaprone
D. polypropylene - D
After the initial incision is made for an appendectomy, a surgical technologist should
anticipate the next item needed is
A. blunt forceps.
B. Mayo scissors.
C. an electrosurgical pencil.
D. a Weitlaner retractor. - C
When transferring an immobile or unconscious patient from a stretcher to an operating
room table, the MINIMUM number of people required for the transfer is
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5 - C
Pressure on the downside shoulder of a patient in the lateral position is alleviated by
shifting the upper arm and shoulder slightly forward and placing a foam or gel pad under
the flank area. Which of the following will be avoided using this positioning technique?
A. retroclavicular compression
B. lumbosacral nerve root impingement
C. ulnar nerve compression
D. subacromial impingement - A
During a surgical procedure, a patient requires a blood transfusion. After the transfusion is
initiated, the patient's urinary output ceases. This is indicative of
A. malignant hyperthermia.
B. a hemorrhage.
C. a hemolytic reaction.
,D. anaphylaxis. - C
A local medication containing epinephrine may be chosen for which of the following
reasons?
A. prolong anesthetic effect
B. relax smooth muscles
C. stop hemorrhage
D. stimulates vasodilation - A
Which of the following drugs should be administered to a patient with malignant
hyperthermia?
A. dantrolene
B. naloxone
C. carboprost
D. vasopressin - A
Which of the following is a fracture that occurs at the epiphysis of the distal radius?
A. compound
B. Pott's
C. transverse
D. Colles' - D
Operating room equipment spreads microorganisms through which of the following?
A. mutualism
B. vector
C. parasitism
D. fomite - D
A suture's ability to absorb moisture and hold in body fluids is referred to as which of the
following?
A. pliability
B. capillary action
,C. absorption
D. bioactivity - B
Which of the following is used to retract lung tissue?
A. Allison
B. Doyen
C. Army
D. Davidson - A
Items needed for immediate use should be sterilized with
A. ethylene oxide.
B. hydrogen peroxide.
C. steam.
D. glutaraldehyde. - C
Which of the following is the correct order of steps during a carotid endarterectomy?
1. The graft is checked for leaks and extra sutures are placed as needed.
2. An arteriotomy is made into the common carotid artery and extended upward.
3. A graft is sutured over the arteriotomy.
4. Atherosclerotic plaque is dissected from the vessel wall.
A. 2, 3, 1, 4
B. 2, 4, 3, 1
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 3, 4, 2, 1 - B
Which of the following is the sequence of events for an open procedure?
A. incision, retraction, hemostasis, dissection
B. incision, hemostasis, dissection, retraction
C. incision, dissection, retraction, hemostasis
D. incision, dissection, hemostasis, retraction - B
Which of the following should the surgical technologist don first?
A. hair cover
B. mask
C. sterile gloves
D. gown - A
Which of the following serrations is unique to most vascular clamps?
A. horizontal
B. atraumatic
, C. cross-hatched
D. crushing - B
Where should the safety strap be placed on a patient undergoing a laparotomy?
A. 2 inches distal to knees
B. 2 inches proximal to knees
C. 2 inches proximal to pelvis
D. 2 inches distal to pelvis - B
For which of the following conditions would a miotic, such as acetylcholine chloride, be
used?
A. cataract
B. retinal detachment
C. pterygium
D. chalazion - A
Which of the following relative humidity levels is appropriate for the OR?
A. 55%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75% - A
Which of the following hernias occurs within Hesselbach's Triangle?
A. direct
B. indirect
C. femoral
D. pantaloon - A
During a Wilms' tumor excision, which of the following veins should be identified, double-
clamped with hemostats, divided, and ligated with 3-0 silk?
A. mesenteric
B. umbilical
C. renal
D. iliac - B
Which of the following operating room personnel is required to accompany the general
anesthesia patient to PACU?
A. scrubbed surgical technologist
B. PACU nurse
C. anesthesia care provider
