Surgical Technology Certification
Exam| Questions And Answers| 2026
Update
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the
preference card be opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The
surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the
unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for
adding hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture
are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the
procedure and should be added to the preference card - Ans--Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team
when working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively
with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact
lenses and cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl
methacrylate and latex have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can
negatively interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. - Ans--Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum
sterilizer before using it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - Ans--Answer: C
,What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped
instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - Ans--Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer
operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - Ans--Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber
of a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been
eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - Ans--Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - Ans--Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a
minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - Ans--Answer: B
,During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following
tests should be given to inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to
ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test - Ans--Answer: A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat - Ans--Answer: B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum
sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F - Ans--Answer: D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor the
efficiency of the high - vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
b. DART test
c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test - Ans--Answer: B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date - Ans--Answer: B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
, b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly - Ans--Answer: C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month - Ans--Answer: A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of the
following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
d. that the sterilizer is ready to process instruments - Ans--Answer: B
lot control numbers should be placed on each package sterilized and on
the...
a. sterilizer maintenance record
b. sterilization load record
c. nursing documentation
d. cover of the patient's chart - Ans--Answer: B
How long is a 3M Attest 1292 steam biological indicator incubated before
the reading is recorded?
a. 12 hours
b. 36 hours
c. 24 hours
d. 48 hours - Ans--Answer: C
12 hours - rapid ; 24 hours - not rapid
During a vascular procedure a vessel is ligated. The surgeon states that she
will repair the vessel after bleeding is controlled. Which needle type would
she most likely require to complete this task?
a. control release needle
b. French eyed needle
Exam| Questions And Answers| 2026
Update
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the
preference card be opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The
surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the
unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for
adding hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture
are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the
procedure and should be added to the preference card - Ans--Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team
when working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively
with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact
lenses and cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl
methacrylate and latex have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can
negatively interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. - Ans--Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum
sterilizer before using it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - Ans--Answer: C
,What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped
instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - Ans--Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer
operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - Ans--Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber
of a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been
eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - Ans--Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - Ans--Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a
minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - Ans--Answer: B
,During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following
tests should be given to inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to
ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test - Ans--Answer: A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat - Ans--Answer: B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum
sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F - Ans--Answer: D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor the
efficiency of the high - vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
b. DART test
c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test - Ans--Answer: B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date - Ans--Answer: B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
, b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly - Ans--Answer: C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month - Ans--Answer: A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of the
following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
d. that the sterilizer is ready to process instruments - Ans--Answer: B
lot control numbers should be placed on each package sterilized and on
the...
a. sterilizer maintenance record
b. sterilization load record
c. nursing documentation
d. cover of the patient's chart - Ans--Answer: B
How long is a 3M Attest 1292 steam biological indicator incubated before
the reading is recorded?
a. 12 hours
b. 36 hours
c. 24 hours
d. 48 hours - Ans--Answer: C
12 hours - rapid ; 24 hours - not rapid
During a vascular procedure a vessel is ligated. The surgeon states that she
will repair the vessel after bleeding is controlled. Which needle type would
she most likely require to complete this task?
a. control release needle
b. French eyed needle
