1
NURS CST PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025
A Surgical Technologist is scheduled to assist a new surgeon on a scheduled cholecystectomy
tomorrow. The information needed regarding the positioning the patient, the instruments the surgeon
will need for the case, and the details of the procedure can be found.
In the policies and procedures manual of the healthcare
facility On the MSDS sheets
In the computerized health record of the
patient Correct!
On the surgeon’s preference card
Question 2
pts
A pre-operative surgical site is being prepared by the surgical technician. After appropriately draping the
nonoperative sites, a final drape is applied that contains a specific opening to accommodate the surgical
incision. What type of drape is this?
You Answered
Fenestrated drape
Non-fenestrated drape
Adhesive drape
Correct Answer
Plastic adhesive drape
Question 3
pts
When preparing the operating room lights for a specific surgery, care should be taken to:
change the light bulbs prior to each surgery
angle both surgical lights toward the ceiling so the surgeon can move them into the correct position
Correct!
apply sterile handle covers to the lights
, 2
keep the brightness setting on low for the surgical procedure
Question 4
pts
In which of the following circumstances is an incise drape specifically useful?
Endoscopic surgery for sinusitis with a nasal entrance
CT angiography
Correct!
An abdominal surgery with a 6-inch horizontal incision
Oral surgery for the removal of an impacted tooth
Question 5
pts
A 65-year-old male is being admitted for emergency repair of a strangulated ventral hernia. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and COPD. What would be
important to discuss with the patient during the preoperative period?
Durable medical equipment needs he will have after discharge home
Correct!
His advance directive wishes
Medication coverage through his health insurance plan
Dietary preferences so a meal can be ready for him after surgery
Question 6
pts
A 34-year-old female is scheduled to undergo carpal tunnel surgery. The Certified Surgical Technologist
knows that the anesthesiologist/CRNA will perform a Bier block while using a(n):
CO2 sensor
Correct!
pneumatic tourniquet
general anesthesia
epidural injection
, 3
Question 7
pts
What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow’s Hierarchy of
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Needs? safety P
esteem
P Correct!
P physiological needs P P
love and belonging
P P
Question 8 P
pts
P P P
The anesthesiologist would use a thermoregulatory device on a patient when:
P P P P P P P P P P P
they want to check the patient’s temperature
P P P P P P
the preoperative assessment is being
P P P P P
performed they develop an infection P P P P P
Correct!
they show signs of hypothermia from the anesthesia
P P P P P P P
Question 9 P
pts
P P P
Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
P P P P P P P P P P P P P
2,000-5,000/mm3
Correct!
5,000-10,000/mm3
7,000-12,000/mm3
10,000-15,000/mm3
Question 10 P
pts
P P P
, 4
Which of the following identifies the elements to be included in the surgical time out? Surgery
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
to be performed, site of the surgery, and surgeon’s name
P P P P P P P P P
Correct!
patient name, surgery to be performed, and identification of the correct site/side for the surgery patient’s
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
date of birth, surgery to be performed, and names of everyone in the operating room patient’s age,
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
surgery to be performed, and location of the surgical site
P P P P P P P P P
Question 11 P
pts P P P
Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation,
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
or other problems associated with the spinal structures?
P P P P P P P
MRI
Fluoroscopy
P Correct!
Myelography P
Angiography
Question 12 P
pts P P P
What is used to help prevent the patient from moving during surgery? Limb
P P P P P P P P P P P P
P immobilization braces P
High doses of opiates
P P P P
Correct!
safety straps P P
staff oversight P
Question 13 P
pts P P P
Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid procedures?
P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Correct!
NURS CST PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025
A Surgical Technologist is scheduled to assist a new surgeon on a scheduled cholecystectomy
tomorrow. The information needed regarding the positioning the patient, the instruments the surgeon
will need for the case, and the details of the procedure can be found.
In the policies and procedures manual of the healthcare
facility On the MSDS sheets
In the computerized health record of the
patient Correct!
On the surgeon’s preference card
Question 2
pts
A pre-operative surgical site is being prepared by the surgical technician. After appropriately draping the
nonoperative sites, a final drape is applied that contains a specific opening to accommodate the surgical
incision. What type of drape is this?
You Answered
Fenestrated drape
Non-fenestrated drape
Adhesive drape
Correct Answer
Plastic adhesive drape
Question 3
pts
When preparing the operating room lights for a specific surgery, care should be taken to:
change the light bulbs prior to each surgery
angle both surgical lights toward the ceiling so the surgeon can move them into the correct position
Correct!
apply sterile handle covers to the lights
, 2
keep the brightness setting on low for the surgical procedure
Question 4
pts
In which of the following circumstances is an incise drape specifically useful?
Endoscopic surgery for sinusitis with a nasal entrance
CT angiography
Correct!
An abdominal surgery with a 6-inch horizontal incision
Oral surgery for the removal of an impacted tooth
Question 5
pts
A 65-year-old male is being admitted for emergency repair of a strangulated ventral hernia. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and COPD. What would be
important to discuss with the patient during the preoperative period?
Durable medical equipment needs he will have after discharge home
Correct!
His advance directive wishes
Medication coverage through his health insurance plan
Dietary preferences so a meal can be ready for him after surgery
Question 6
pts
A 34-year-old female is scheduled to undergo carpal tunnel surgery. The Certified Surgical Technologist
knows that the anesthesiologist/CRNA will perform a Bier block while using a(n):
CO2 sensor
Correct!
pneumatic tourniquet
general anesthesia
epidural injection
, 3
Question 7
pts
What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow’s Hierarchy of
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Needs? safety P
esteem
P Correct!
P physiological needs P P
love and belonging
P P
Question 8 P
pts
P P P
The anesthesiologist would use a thermoregulatory device on a patient when:
P P P P P P P P P P P
they want to check the patient’s temperature
P P P P P P
the preoperative assessment is being
P P P P P
performed they develop an infection P P P P P
Correct!
they show signs of hypothermia from the anesthesia
P P P P P P P
Question 9 P
pts
P P P
Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
P P P P P P P P P P P P P
2,000-5,000/mm3
Correct!
5,000-10,000/mm3
7,000-12,000/mm3
10,000-15,000/mm3
Question 10 P
pts
P P P
, 4
Which of the following identifies the elements to be included in the surgical time out? Surgery
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
to be performed, site of the surgery, and surgeon’s name
P P P P P P P P P
Correct!
patient name, surgery to be performed, and identification of the correct site/side for the surgery patient’s
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
date of birth, surgery to be performed, and names of everyone in the operating room patient’s age,
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
surgery to be performed, and location of the surgical site
P P P P P P P P P
Question 11 P
pts P P P
Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation,
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
or other problems associated with the spinal structures?
P P P P P P P
MRI
Fluoroscopy
P Correct!
Myelography P
Angiography
Question 12 P
pts P P P
What is used to help prevent the patient from moving during surgery? Limb
P P P P P P P P P P P P
P immobilization braces P
High doses of opiates
P P P P
Correct!
safety straps P P
staff oversight P
Question 13 P
pts P P P
Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid procedures?
P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Correct!
