Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam 2026 Latest
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions
Surgical Procedures Review, Detailed Rationales, Verified
Answers, Success Workbook
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION — DOMAIN 1A (Questions
1-19)
1. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field for a procedure. Which
of the following is the CORRECT sequence for opening sterile supplies?
A) Open all supplies simultaneously, then don sterile gloves
B) Perform surgical hand scrub, don sterile gown and gloves, then open sterile
supplies
C) Don sterile gloves, open sterile supplies, then perform surgical hand scrub
D) Open sterile supplies, perform surgical hand scrub, then don sterile gown
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Perform surgical hand scrub, don sterile
gown and gloves, then open sterile supplies. The proper sequence for
establishing a sterile field requires the surgical technologist to first perform a
surgical hand scrub, then don a sterile gown and gloves, and only then open sterile
supplies. Opening supplies before scrubbing or gowning risks contamination of the
sterile items. Maintaining the integrity of the sterile field is the foundation of
aseptic technique.
2. A patient is scheduled for a lower abdominal surgery. Which surgical
position is MOST appropriate for this procedure?
A) Prone position
B) Supine position
C) Lithotomy position
D) Lateral position
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Supine position. The supine position (lying
flat on the back) is the most common surgical position and is appropriate for lower
abdominal surgeries, as it provides optimal access to the abdominal region. The
,prone position is used for posterior approaches, lithotomy for gynecological and
urological procedures, and lateral for thoracic and renal surgeries.
3. During the preoperative skin preparation, the surgical technologist should
apply the antiseptic solution using which technique?
A) Circular motion from the periphery toward the incision site
B) Back-and-forth strokes from the incision site outward
C) Circular motion from the incision site outward
D) Random application with no specific pattern
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Circular motion from the incision site
outward. The correct technique for skin preparation involves applying the
antiseptic solution using a circular motion starting at the incision site and moving
outward toward the periphery. This technique prevents the recontamination of the
prepared area by moving bacteria away from the surgical site.
4. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of surgical draping?
A) To keep the patient warm during surgery
B) To create and maintain a sterile field around the surgical site
C) To protect the patient's modesty
D) To absorb blood and fluids
Rationale: The correct answer is B) To create and maintain a sterile field
around the surgical site. The primary purpose of surgical draping is to establish
and maintain a sterile field that isolates the surgical site from potential sources of
contamination. While drapes may provide secondary benefits like warmth and fluid
absorption, their primary function is infection prevention through the maintenance
of aseptic technique.
5. A surgical technologist is preparing the operating room for a procedure.
The recommended temperature range for the operating room is:
A) 60-65°F (15-18°C)
B) 68-73°F (20-23°C)
,C) 75-80°F (24-27°C)
D) 80-85°F (27-29°C)
Rationale: The correct answer is B) 68-73°F (20-23°C) . The recommended
temperature range for an operating room is 68-73°F (20-23°C). This temperature
range balances patient comfort (reducing the risk of hypothermia) with staff
comfort and the need to minimize bacterial growth. Humidity should be
maintained at 20-60%.
6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a documented allergy to latex.
Which of the following actions is MOST appropriate for the surgical
technologist?
A) Proceed with standard latex-containing supplies
B) Use only latex-free supplies and equipment
C) Administer antihistamines before the procedure
D) Cancel the procedure
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Use only latex-free supplies and equipment.
Patients with a documented latex allergy require latex-free precautions throughout
the perioperative period. This includes using latex-free gloves, drapes, catheters,
and all other supplies. The surgical technologist should verify the allergy and
ensure all supplies are latex-free before the procedure begins.
7. The surgical technologist is performing a count of sponges, needles, and
instruments. According to standard protocol, when should the initial count be
performed?
A) At the end of the procedure only
B) Before the procedure begins
C) During the procedure
D) After the patient is transferred to recovery
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Before the procedure begins. The initial
surgical count of sponges, needles, and instruments should be performed before the
procedure begins. Counts are also performed at the time of wound closure, at skin
closure, and at the end of the procedure. The initial count establishes the baseline
from which all subsequent counts are compared.
, 8. A patient is positioned in the lithotomy position for a procedure. Which of
the following is a potential complication of this position that the surgical
technologist should be aware of?
A) Brachial plexus injury
B) Compartment syndrome
C) Pressure injury to the face
D) Atelectasis
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Compartment syndrome. The lithotomy
position (legs elevated in stirrups) can lead to compartment syndrome due to
prolonged elevation and pressure on the lower extremities. Other complications
include nerve damage (peroneal nerve) and venous stasis. Proper padding and
positioning are essential to prevent these complications.
9. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate antiseptic agent for
preoperative skin preparation in a patient with a known iodine allergy?
A) Povidone-iodine
B) Chlorhexidine gluconate
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Chlorhexidine gluconate. For patients with a
known iodine allergy, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is the preferred antiseptic
agent for skin preparation. CHG provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
and has persistent activity. Povidone-iodine would be contraindicated. Isopropyl
alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are not primary skin prep agents.
10. The surgical technologist is verifying the patient's identity before surgery.
According to The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals, how
many patient identifiers should be used?
A) One identifier
B) Two identifiers
Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions
Surgical Procedures Review, Detailed Rationales, Verified
Answers, Success Workbook
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION — DOMAIN 1A (Questions
1-19)
1. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field for a procedure. Which
of the following is the CORRECT sequence for opening sterile supplies?
A) Open all supplies simultaneously, then don sterile gloves
B) Perform surgical hand scrub, don sterile gown and gloves, then open sterile
supplies
C) Don sterile gloves, open sterile supplies, then perform surgical hand scrub
D) Open sterile supplies, perform surgical hand scrub, then don sterile gown
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Perform surgical hand scrub, don sterile
gown and gloves, then open sterile supplies. The proper sequence for
establishing a sterile field requires the surgical technologist to first perform a
surgical hand scrub, then don a sterile gown and gloves, and only then open sterile
supplies. Opening supplies before scrubbing or gowning risks contamination of the
sterile items. Maintaining the integrity of the sterile field is the foundation of
aseptic technique.
2. A patient is scheduled for a lower abdominal surgery. Which surgical
position is MOST appropriate for this procedure?
A) Prone position
B) Supine position
C) Lithotomy position
D) Lateral position
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Supine position. The supine position (lying
flat on the back) is the most common surgical position and is appropriate for lower
abdominal surgeries, as it provides optimal access to the abdominal region. The
,prone position is used for posterior approaches, lithotomy for gynecological and
urological procedures, and lateral for thoracic and renal surgeries.
3. During the preoperative skin preparation, the surgical technologist should
apply the antiseptic solution using which technique?
A) Circular motion from the periphery toward the incision site
B) Back-and-forth strokes from the incision site outward
C) Circular motion from the incision site outward
D) Random application with no specific pattern
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Circular motion from the incision site
outward. The correct technique for skin preparation involves applying the
antiseptic solution using a circular motion starting at the incision site and moving
outward toward the periphery. This technique prevents the recontamination of the
prepared area by moving bacteria away from the surgical site.
4. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of surgical draping?
A) To keep the patient warm during surgery
B) To create and maintain a sterile field around the surgical site
C) To protect the patient's modesty
D) To absorb blood and fluids
Rationale: The correct answer is B) To create and maintain a sterile field
around the surgical site. The primary purpose of surgical draping is to establish
and maintain a sterile field that isolates the surgical site from potential sources of
contamination. While drapes may provide secondary benefits like warmth and fluid
absorption, their primary function is infection prevention through the maintenance
of aseptic technique.
5. A surgical technologist is preparing the operating room for a procedure.
The recommended temperature range for the operating room is:
A) 60-65°F (15-18°C)
B) 68-73°F (20-23°C)
,C) 75-80°F (24-27°C)
D) 80-85°F (27-29°C)
Rationale: The correct answer is B) 68-73°F (20-23°C) . The recommended
temperature range for an operating room is 68-73°F (20-23°C). This temperature
range balances patient comfort (reducing the risk of hypothermia) with staff
comfort and the need to minimize bacterial growth. Humidity should be
maintained at 20-60%.
6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a documented allergy to latex.
Which of the following actions is MOST appropriate for the surgical
technologist?
A) Proceed with standard latex-containing supplies
B) Use only latex-free supplies and equipment
C) Administer antihistamines before the procedure
D) Cancel the procedure
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Use only latex-free supplies and equipment.
Patients with a documented latex allergy require latex-free precautions throughout
the perioperative period. This includes using latex-free gloves, drapes, catheters,
and all other supplies. The surgical technologist should verify the allergy and
ensure all supplies are latex-free before the procedure begins.
7. The surgical technologist is performing a count of sponges, needles, and
instruments. According to standard protocol, when should the initial count be
performed?
A) At the end of the procedure only
B) Before the procedure begins
C) During the procedure
D) After the patient is transferred to recovery
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Before the procedure begins. The initial
surgical count of sponges, needles, and instruments should be performed before the
procedure begins. Counts are also performed at the time of wound closure, at skin
closure, and at the end of the procedure. The initial count establishes the baseline
from which all subsequent counts are compared.
, 8. A patient is positioned in the lithotomy position for a procedure. Which of
the following is a potential complication of this position that the surgical
technologist should be aware of?
A) Brachial plexus injury
B) Compartment syndrome
C) Pressure injury to the face
D) Atelectasis
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Compartment syndrome. The lithotomy
position (legs elevated in stirrups) can lead to compartment syndrome due to
prolonged elevation and pressure on the lower extremities. Other complications
include nerve damage (peroneal nerve) and venous stasis. Proper padding and
positioning are essential to prevent these complications.
9. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate antiseptic agent for
preoperative skin preparation in a patient with a known iodine allergy?
A) Povidone-iodine
B) Chlorhexidine gluconate
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Chlorhexidine gluconate. For patients with a
known iodine allergy, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is the preferred antiseptic
agent for skin preparation. CHG provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
and has persistent activity. Povidone-iodine would be contraindicated. Isopropyl
alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are not primary skin prep agents.
10. The surgical technologist is verifying the patient's identity before surgery.
According to The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals, how
many patient identifiers should be used?
A) One identifier
B) Two identifiers
