ESTUDYR
CST - NBSTSA APP EXAMS
1. What is a tympanoplasty?
A. Removal of the eardrum
B. Surgical reconstruction of the eardrum and/or ossicles ✅
C. Surgical repair of the auditory canal
D. Insertion of a cochlear implant
Rationale: Tympanoplasty involves reconstructing the tympanic membrane and possibly the ossicles to
restore hearing.
2. After a surgeon gowns and gloves, they begin prepping the patient using Duraprep. What should
the surgical technologist do?
A. Ask the surgeon to continue
B. Ignore and proceed with the setup
C. Regown and reglove the surgeon ✅
D. Re-prep the patient area
Rationale: The surgeon broke sterile technique by prepping the patient. Regowning and regloving
restores sterility.
3. Which position is used for a pneumonectomy?
A. Supine
B. Lateral ✅
C. Prone
D. Lithotomy
Rationale: Pneumonectomy requires lateral decubitus positioning to allow access to the thoracic cavity.
4. What is the Kraske position primarily used for?
A. Abdominal surgery
B. Gynecologic procedures
C. Rectal and sacral access with patient prone and hips elevated ✅
D. Neck surgery
,ESTUDYR
Rationale: The Kraske (jackknife) position provides optimal access to the anus, rectum, and sacral areas.
5. Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage (D&C)?
A. Lithotomy ✅
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Lateral
Rationale: D&C requires lithotomy position to allow access to the vaginal canal and uterus.
6. What additional instrument set is required if a hernia is strangulated?
A. Urologic set
B. Gastrointestinal set ✅
C. OB/GYN set
D. Neurological set
Rationale: A strangulated hernia may involve bowel resection, thus requiring a GI instrument set.
7. What is a fenestrated drape?
A. A drape with built-in suction
B. A drape with an opening for the operative site ✅
C. A layered waterproof drape
D. A reusable cotton drape
Rationale: Fenestrated drapes allow exposure of the surgical site while maintaining a sterile field.
8. What should be done with sterile instruments if the case is moved to another OR?
A. Move the setup to the new room
B. Resterilize all instruments
C. Dispose of the setup and obtain new sterile supplies ✅
D. Cover the sterile field and transport it
Rationale: Once opened, sterile supplies are limited to the original room. New sterile items must be
used.
,ESTUDYR
9. What is the first step in applying a pneumatic tourniquet?
A. Wrap the cuff
B. Inflate the cuff
C. Apply padding (Webril) to the site ✅
D. Mark the skin with ink
Rationale: Padding protects the skin and nerves before the tourniquet is inflated.
10. Which clamp is used in a splenectomy?
A. Babcock
B. Kocher
C. Satinsky ✅
D. Allis
Rationale: The Satinsky clamp is designed for clamping large vessels like those around the spleen.
21. Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?
A. Army-Navy
B. Weitlaner ✅
C. Richardson
D. Deaver
Rationale: The Weitlaner is a self-retaining retractor commonly used in groin and hernia procedures to
maintain exposure.
22. What type of dressing is considered nonadherent?
A. Telfa
B. Adaptic ✅
C. Gauze
D. ABD pad
Rationale: Adaptic is a nonadherent dressing that allows drainage and protects the wound from sticking
to the dressing.
23. During excisional biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes, how should specimens be prepared?
, ESTUDYR
A. Placed in a single formalin container
B. Wrapped in a moist sponge
C. Placed in separate containers and labeled ✅
D. Stored in a basin for later inspection
Rationale: Sentinel nodes are handled individually and labeled to determine the specific pathway of
lymphatic spread.
24. Which procedure may be performed in the OR before a hemorrhoidectomy?
A. Cholecystectomy
B. Sigmoidoscopy ✅
C. Colectomy
D. Laparoscopy
Rationale: A sigmoidoscopy may be performed to inspect the lower bowel and confirm diagnosis prior
to hemorrhoid removal.
25. When a break in sterile technique occurs, what is the surgical technologist’s first action?
A. Notify the team member who contaminated the field ✅
B. Cover the area with a sterile drape
C. Continue and document later
D. Alert the charge nurse immediately
Rationale: The scrub tech should immediately notify the person responsible to prevent further
contamination.
26. Who should count sponges added to the field after a procedure has begun?
A. Circulator and surgeon
B. Scrub tech and circulator ✅
C. First assistant and circulator
D. Scrub tech and anesthesiologist
Rationale: Surgical counts must be performed jointly by the scrub tech and the circulator for accuracy
and accountability.
27. What is the surgical term for removing excess skin from the face and neck?
CST - NBSTSA APP EXAMS
1. What is a tympanoplasty?
A. Removal of the eardrum
B. Surgical reconstruction of the eardrum and/or ossicles ✅
C. Surgical repair of the auditory canal
D. Insertion of a cochlear implant
Rationale: Tympanoplasty involves reconstructing the tympanic membrane and possibly the ossicles to
restore hearing.
2. After a surgeon gowns and gloves, they begin prepping the patient using Duraprep. What should
the surgical technologist do?
A. Ask the surgeon to continue
B. Ignore and proceed with the setup
C. Regown and reglove the surgeon ✅
D. Re-prep the patient area
Rationale: The surgeon broke sterile technique by prepping the patient. Regowning and regloving
restores sterility.
3. Which position is used for a pneumonectomy?
A. Supine
B. Lateral ✅
C. Prone
D. Lithotomy
Rationale: Pneumonectomy requires lateral decubitus positioning to allow access to the thoracic cavity.
4. What is the Kraske position primarily used for?
A. Abdominal surgery
B. Gynecologic procedures
C. Rectal and sacral access with patient prone and hips elevated ✅
D. Neck surgery
,ESTUDYR
Rationale: The Kraske (jackknife) position provides optimal access to the anus, rectum, and sacral areas.
5. Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage (D&C)?
A. Lithotomy ✅
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Lateral
Rationale: D&C requires lithotomy position to allow access to the vaginal canal and uterus.
6. What additional instrument set is required if a hernia is strangulated?
A. Urologic set
B. Gastrointestinal set ✅
C. OB/GYN set
D. Neurological set
Rationale: A strangulated hernia may involve bowel resection, thus requiring a GI instrument set.
7. What is a fenestrated drape?
A. A drape with built-in suction
B. A drape with an opening for the operative site ✅
C. A layered waterproof drape
D. A reusable cotton drape
Rationale: Fenestrated drapes allow exposure of the surgical site while maintaining a sterile field.
8. What should be done with sterile instruments if the case is moved to another OR?
A. Move the setup to the new room
B. Resterilize all instruments
C. Dispose of the setup and obtain new sterile supplies ✅
D. Cover the sterile field and transport it
Rationale: Once opened, sterile supplies are limited to the original room. New sterile items must be
used.
,ESTUDYR
9. What is the first step in applying a pneumatic tourniquet?
A. Wrap the cuff
B. Inflate the cuff
C. Apply padding (Webril) to the site ✅
D. Mark the skin with ink
Rationale: Padding protects the skin and nerves before the tourniquet is inflated.
10. Which clamp is used in a splenectomy?
A. Babcock
B. Kocher
C. Satinsky ✅
D. Allis
Rationale: The Satinsky clamp is designed for clamping large vessels like those around the spleen.
21. Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision?
A. Army-Navy
B. Weitlaner ✅
C. Richardson
D. Deaver
Rationale: The Weitlaner is a self-retaining retractor commonly used in groin and hernia procedures to
maintain exposure.
22. What type of dressing is considered nonadherent?
A. Telfa
B. Adaptic ✅
C. Gauze
D. ABD pad
Rationale: Adaptic is a nonadherent dressing that allows drainage and protects the wound from sticking
to the dressing.
23. During excisional biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes, how should specimens be prepared?
, ESTUDYR
A. Placed in a single formalin container
B. Wrapped in a moist sponge
C. Placed in separate containers and labeled ✅
D. Stored in a basin for later inspection
Rationale: Sentinel nodes are handled individually and labeled to determine the specific pathway of
lymphatic spread.
24. Which procedure may be performed in the OR before a hemorrhoidectomy?
A. Cholecystectomy
B. Sigmoidoscopy ✅
C. Colectomy
D. Laparoscopy
Rationale: A sigmoidoscopy may be performed to inspect the lower bowel and confirm diagnosis prior
to hemorrhoid removal.
25. When a break in sterile technique occurs, what is the surgical technologist’s first action?
A. Notify the team member who contaminated the field ✅
B. Cover the area with a sterile drape
C. Continue and document later
D. Alert the charge nurse immediately
Rationale: The scrub tech should immediately notify the person responsible to prevent further
contamination.
26. Who should count sponges added to the field after a procedure has begun?
A. Circulator and surgeon
B. Scrub tech and circulator ✅
C. First assistant and circulator
D. Scrub tech and anesthesiologist
Rationale: Surgical counts must be performed jointly by the scrub tech and the circulator for accuracy
and accountability.
27. What is the surgical term for removing excess skin from the face and neck?
