NCCT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PRELIMINARY EXAM | COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH EXPERT SOLUTION | 2026 LATEST UPDATED GET A+
1. Which of the following retractors has sharp disposable inserts that must be disposed of in an appropriate sharps
container following the end of the surgical case?
Mayfield
Cloward
Bookwalter
Greenfield: Mayfield
The Mayfield is a headrest that pins the head for stabilization. The pins used are very sharp and must be placed in the
sharps container after the procedure. A Cloward is a hand held retractor used in an anterior cervical procedure. The
Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor used for open abdominal procedure. The Greenfield is a self-retaining retractor
used on the brain.
2. The surgeon is closing skin with the final stitch and all counts are complete. Which of the following should the
surgical technologist have ready for next step? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Wet sponge
Dry sponge
ABD pad
Duraprep
Cottonoids: Wet Sponge, Dry Sponge, ABD Pad
,After all counts are done and the incision has been closed, the sterile dressing should then be opened. The incision
needs to be cleaned with a wet sponge then dried with a dry sponge. The dressing should be applied after the operative
site has been cleaned and dried.
3. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist have in the room for an ORIF of an ankle case?
(Select the two (2) correct answers.)
Reciprocating saw
Laminectomy tray
Extremity pack
Vascular tray
Small fragment tray: Extremity pack, Small fragment tray
The ORIF Open Reduction Internal Fixation involves the ankle fracture which is an extremity so an extremity pack
will be needed. The Small fragment will also be need because it contains screws, plates and drill bits that will be
needed for the fixation.
4. In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to:
-verify elimination of living flora on the package.
-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
-show that no moisture entered the package.
-ensure that the package is sterile.: confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
Rationale: The chemical indicator is used internally and externally to show that the package has been exposed to the
sterilization process. They do not verify the sterility of the items in the packages. They only mean that the package has
had the right temperature, humidity, and sterilant. It will not verify elimination of living flora on the package or that
moisture is in the package.
,5. During an I&D of a back wound with the patient in the prone position the anesthesiologist announces that the
patient is turning blue and calls a code. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take to
assist?
-Assist the surgeon in closing the wound, remove the drapes, and flip the patient.
-Cover the wound and remove the Mayo and back table.
-Flip the patient immediately.
-Assist anesthesia with the patient while the surgeon continues surgery.: Cover the wound and remove the Mayo and
back table.
Rationale: The first thing that needs to be done is to maintain the patient's airway. The wound should be covered and the
mayo should be removed so the patient can be flipped in order for anesthesia to take care of the airway, then assist
anesthesia with the patient.
6. When closing fascia after a laparotomy, which of the following is the suture of choice? Gore-Tex
PDS
Plain
Nurolon: PDS
Rationale: PDS has a longer absorption rate of 183-238 days, which makes it ideal for the slow-healing fascia. Gore-Tex
is typically used for anastomosis of vascular grafts or in valve repairs. Plain gut suture is not to be used on tissue under
stress. Nurolon is a nonabsorbable suture that loses some of its tensile strength over time.
7. The surgical technologist observed a patient fall during the transfer from the gurney to the operating bed.
Which of the following items are required in
the incident report? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Patient's name
Personnel involved
, Type of anesthesia used
Location of the incident
Patient's weight: Patient's name, Personnel involved, Location of the incident
8. Which member of the surgical team is in charge of the transfer of an immobile or unconscious patient from the
OR table to the stretcher?
Surgeon
Circulator
Anesthesia provider
Surgical technologist: Anesthesia provider
Rationale: The anesthesia provider is in control of the patient transfer and coordinates the move. They have control of
the head and the patient's airway. The surgeon most likely has already left the room and cannot help with the transfer.
The circulator is on the other side of the bed waiting on the transfer device when anesthesia gives the permission. The
surgical technologist is on the other side waiting to help transfer the patient. There should always be 4 people to transfer
a patient. Anesthesia is at the head of the bed and one person is on each side with one at the end of the bed to help transfer
the feet.
9. Which of the following steps are taken after the surgery has finished and the surgical technologist is breaking
scrub?
-Wipe blood off of gloves and remove them, then remove the gown.
-Using a gloved hand, untie the neck of the gown and pull away from the body, keeping all blood on the gown.
-Wipe the gloves off, grasp the gown at the shoulders, and roll the gown forward into a ball.
-Ask the circulator to assist in removing the gown and gloves.: Wipe the gloves off, grasp the gown at the shoulders, and
roll the gown forward into a ball.
10. The scheduled case is a prostatectomy. The surgeon has requested chromic gut suture for reanastomosis. If
Chromic gut is unavailable, which of the following sutures is a viable substitute?
WITH EXPERT SOLUTION | 2026 LATEST UPDATED GET A+
1. Which of the following retractors has sharp disposable inserts that must be disposed of in an appropriate sharps
container following the end of the surgical case?
Mayfield
Cloward
Bookwalter
Greenfield: Mayfield
The Mayfield is a headrest that pins the head for stabilization. The pins used are very sharp and must be placed in the
sharps container after the procedure. A Cloward is a hand held retractor used in an anterior cervical procedure. The
Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor used for open abdominal procedure. The Greenfield is a self-retaining retractor
used on the brain.
2. The surgeon is closing skin with the final stitch and all counts are complete. Which of the following should the
surgical technologist have ready for next step? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Wet sponge
Dry sponge
ABD pad
Duraprep
Cottonoids: Wet Sponge, Dry Sponge, ABD Pad
,After all counts are done and the incision has been closed, the sterile dressing should then be opened. The incision
needs to be cleaned with a wet sponge then dried with a dry sponge. The dressing should be applied after the operative
site has been cleaned and dried.
3. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist have in the room for an ORIF of an ankle case?
(Select the two (2) correct answers.)
Reciprocating saw
Laminectomy tray
Extremity pack
Vascular tray
Small fragment tray: Extremity pack, Small fragment tray
The ORIF Open Reduction Internal Fixation involves the ankle fracture which is an extremity so an extremity pack
will be needed. The Small fragment will also be need because it contains screws, plates and drill bits that will be
needed for the fixation.
4. In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to:
-verify elimination of living flora on the package.
-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
-show that no moisture entered the package.
-ensure that the package is sterile.: confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
Rationale: The chemical indicator is used internally and externally to show that the package has been exposed to the
sterilization process. They do not verify the sterility of the items in the packages. They only mean that the package has
had the right temperature, humidity, and sterilant. It will not verify elimination of living flora on the package or that
moisture is in the package.
,5. During an I&D of a back wound with the patient in the prone position the anesthesiologist announces that the
patient is turning blue and calls a code. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take to
assist?
-Assist the surgeon in closing the wound, remove the drapes, and flip the patient.
-Cover the wound and remove the Mayo and back table.
-Flip the patient immediately.
-Assist anesthesia with the patient while the surgeon continues surgery.: Cover the wound and remove the Mayo and
back table.
Rationale: The first thing that needs to be done is to maintain the patient's airway. The wound should be covered and the
mayo should be removed so the patient can be flipped in order for anesthesia to take care of the airway, then assist
anesthesia with the patient.
6. When closing fascia after a laparotomy, which of the following is the suture of choice? Gore-Tex
PDS
Plain
Nurolon: PDS
Rationale: PDS has a longer absorption rate of 183-238 days, which makes it ideal for the slow-healing fascia. Gore-Tex
is typically used for anastomosis of vascular grafts or in valve repairs. Plain gut suture is not to be used on tissue under
stress. Nurolon is a nonabsorbable suture that loses some of its tensile strength over time.
7. The surgical technologist observed a patient fall during the transfer from the gurney to the operating bed.
Which of the following items are required in
the incident report? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Patient's name
Personnel involved
, Type of anesthesia used
Location of the incident
Patient's weight: Patient's name, Personnel involved, Location of the incident
8. Which member of the surgical team is in charge of the transfer of an immobile or unconscious patient from the
OR table to the stretcher?
Surgeon
Circulator
Anesthesia provider
Surgical technologist: Anesthesia provider
Rationale: The anesthesia provider is in control of the patient transfer and coordinates the move. They have control of
the head and the patient's airway. The surgeon most likely has already left the room and cannot help with the transfer.
The circulator is on the other side of the bed waiting on the transfer device when anesthesia gives the permission. The
surgical technologist is on the other side waiting to help transfer the patient. There should always be 4 people to transfer
a patient. Anesthesia is at the head of the bed and one person is on each side with one at the end of the bed to help transfer
the feet.
9. Which of the following steps are taken after the surgery has finished and the surgical technologist is breaking
scrub?
-Wipe blood off of gloves and remove them, then remove the gown.
-Using a gloved hand, untie the neck of the gown and pull away from the body, keeping all blood on the gown.
-Wipe the gloves off, grasp the gown at the shoulders, and roll the gown forward into a ball.
-Ask the circulator to assist in removing the gown and gloves.: Wipe the gloves off, grasp the gown at the shoulders, and
roll the gown forward into a ball.
10. The scheduled case is a prostatectomy. The surgeon has requested chromic gut suture for reanastomosis. If
Chromic gut is unavailable, which of the following sutures is a viable substitute?
