SURGICAL TECH 101 FINAL EXAM REVIEW – 120 CORRECT QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS (2026-2027 UPDATE) 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1.
The surgical technologist has many responsibilities in the operating room.
Which of the following best describes their primary role?
A) Direct patient diagnosis and treatment
B) Assist surgeon and maintain the sterile field
C) Administer anesthesia during the procedure
D) Perform surgical incisions and closures
Answer: B – The surgical tech’s most important duty is to assist the surgeon while
protecting the sterile field at all times.
2.
Team members in the operating room are classified as sterile or non-sterile.
Which of the following individuals is considered a sterile team member?
A) Circulating nurse
B) Anesthesiologist
C) Scrub surgical technologist
D) Radiology technician
Answer: C – The scrub tech is sterile because they directly handle instruments
within the sterile field.
3.
Donning of sterile attire must follow a strict sequence to avoid contamination.
What is the correct order when putting on sterile attire?
A) Mask → Gown → Cap → Gloves
B) Cap → Mask → Gown → Gloves
C) Gown → Mask → Cap → Gloves
D) Cap → Gown → Mask → Gloves
Answer: B – Always put on the cap first, then the mask, then gown, and finish
with gloves.
,4.
When a surgical gown is worn during an operation, only certain areas are sterile.
Which area of the gown is considered sterile?
A) The back of the gown, including lower waist
B) Sleeves and front from chest to waist level
C) The neckline and collar only
D) The bottom hem and cuffs
Answer: B – Sterility applies only to the front from chest to waist and sleeves.
5.
Passing instruments correctly is essential for safety and efficiency.
How should a sharp instrument such as a scalpel be handed to the surgeon?
A) Placed on the sterile drape over the patient
B) Passed in the palm with sharp end toward the tech
C) Handed handle first, sharp end away from both people
D) Only in a neutral zone for the surgeon to pick up
Answer: C – Sharp instruments must be passed handle first with the tip pointing
safely away.
6.
Sponge, sharp, and instrument counts are performed to prevent retained items.
What is the correct order of performing surgical counts?
A) Instruments → Sponges → Sharps
B) Sponges → Instruments → Sharps
C) Sponges → Sharps → Instruments
D) Sharps → Sponges → Instruments
Answer: C – Always count sponges first, then sharps, and finally instruments.
7.
Skin antisepsis before surgery is critical to reduce infection risk.
Which of the following antiseptics is most commonly used for skin prep?
A) Formalin solution only
B) Chlorhexidine or Povidone-iodine solutions
C) Hydrogen peroxide rinse
D) 70% alcohol by itself
Answer: B – Chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine are standard skin-prep agents.
, 8.
When opening a sterile package, the order of opening flaps is important.
Which direction should the first flap of the sterile package be opened?
A) Toward the body of the person opening
B) Away from the body of the person opening
C) Toward the right-hand side of the field
D) Toward the left-hand side of the field
Answer: B – The first flap must be opened away from the body to maintain
sterility.
9.
Before any incision is made, the surgical team pauses for a “time-out.”
What is the main purpose of the surgical time-out?
A) Confirm that the surgeon is scrubbed and available
B) Verify correct patient identity, procedure, and site
C) Count sponges and sharps before incision
D) Ensure that anesthesia is fully induced
Answer: B – The time-out ensures safety by confirming patient, procedure, and
site.
10.
Sharps safety is critical to prevent injuries and disease transmission.
Which of the following practices demonstrates correct sharps handling?
A) Recapping needles immediately after use
B) Handing scalpels blade-first to save time
C) Using a designated neutral zone or passing tray
D) Placing sharps on drapes near the incision site
Answer: C – A neutral zone minimizes direct hand-to-hand passing and reduces
injuries.
11.
Sterilization methods vary depending on equipment and materials used.
Which method of sterilization uses steam under pressure?
A) Ethylene oxide gas
B) Autoclave sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Cold chemical soak
ANSWERS (2026-2027 UPDATE) 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1.
The surgical technologist has many responsibilities in the operating room.
Which of the following best describes their primary role?
A) Direct patient diagnosis and treatment
B) Assist surgeon and maintain the sterile field
C) Administer anesthesia during the procedure
D) Perform surgical incisions and closures
Answer: B – The surgical tech’s most important duty is to assist the surgeon while
protecting the sterile field at all times.
2.
Team members in the operating room are classified as sterile or non-sterile.
Which of the following individuals is considered a sterile team member?
A) Circulating nurse
B) Anesthesiologist
C) Scrub surgical technologist
D) Radiology technician
Answer: C – The scrub tech is sterile because they directly handle instruments
within the sterile field.
3.
Donning of sterile attire must follow a strict sequence to avoid contamination.
What is the correct order when putting on sterile attire?
A) Mask → Gown → Cap → Gloves
B) Cap → Mask → Gown → Gloves
C) Gown → Mask → Cap → Gloves
D) Cap → Gown → Mask → Gloves
Answer: B – Always put on the cap first, then the mask, then gown, and finish
with gloves.
,4.
When a surgical gown is worn during an operation, only certain areas are sterile.
Which area of the gown is considered sterile?
A) The back of the gown, including lower waist
B) Sleeves and front from chest to waist level
C) The neckline and collar only
D) The bottom hem and cuffs
Answer: B – Sterility applies only to the front from chest to waist and sleeves.
5.
Passing instruments correctly is essential for safety and efficiency.
How should a sharp instrument such as a scalpel be handed to the surgeon?
A) Placed on the sterile drape over the patient
B) Passed in the palm with sharp end toward the tech
C) Handed handle first, sharp end away from both people
D) Only in a neutral zone for the surgeon to pick up
Answer: C – Sharp instruments must be passed handle first with the tip pointing
safely away.
6.
Sponge, sharp, and instrument counts are performed to prevent retained items.
What is the correct order of performing surgical counts?
A) Instruments → Sponges → Sharps
B) Sponges → Instruments → Sharps
C) Sponges → Sharps → Instruments
D) Sharps → Sponges → Instruments
Answer: C – Always count sponges first, then sharps, and finally instruments.
7.
Skin antisepsis before surgery is critical to reduce infection risk.
Which of the following antiseptics is most commonly used for skin prep?
A) Formalin solution only
B) Chlorhexidine or Povidone-iodine solutions
C) Hydrogen peroxide rinse
D) 70% alcohol by itself
Answer: B – Chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine are standard skin-prep agents.
, 8.
When opening a sterile package, the order of opening flaps is important.
Which direction should the first flap of the sterile package be opened?
A) Toward the body of the person opening
B) Away from the body of the person opening
C) Toward the right-hand side of the field
D) Toward the left-hand side of the field
Answer: B – The first flap must be opened away from the body to maintain
sterility.
9.
Before any incision is made, the surgical team pauses for a “time-out.”
What is the main purpose of the surgical time-out?
A) Confirm that the surgeon is scrubbed and available
B) Verify correct patient identity, procedure, and site
C) Count sponges and sharps before incision
D) Ensure that anesthesia is fully induced
Answer: B – The time-out ensures safety by confirming patient, procedure, and
site.
10.
Sharps safety is critical to prevent injuries and disease transmission.
Which of the following practices demonstrates correct sharps handling?
A) Recapping needles immediately after use
B) Handing scalpels blade-first to save time
C) Using a designated neutral zone or passing tray
D) Placing sharps on drapes near the incision site
Answer: C – A neutral zone minimizes direct hand-to-hand passing and reduces
injuries.
11.
Sterilization methods vary depending on equipment and materials used.
Which method of sterilization uses steam under pressure?
A) Ethylene oxide gas
B) Autoclave sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Cold chemical soak
