Page 1 of 163
NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice
Exams A & B – 2025 Edition | 300 Verified Questions
and Answers | National Board of Surgical Technology
and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Exam Prep
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in
cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus ......ANSWER........A. Raney
The local freezing of diseased tissue to facilitate removal
without bleeding is:
a. Cryosurgery
b. Electrocautery
c. Diathermy
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d. harmonic scalpel ......ANSWER........A. Cryosurgery
In severe aortic stenosis, all of the following are indications of
valve replacement except?
a. Myocardial ischemia
b. Left ventricle hypertrophy
c. Palpitations
d. Angina ......ANSWER........C. Palpitations
In the event a child requires emergency surgery, but the parents
cannot be located to sign the surgical consent:
a. Consent is signed by a court of law
b. Consent is signed by two consulting physicians
c. No consent is required
d. Consent is signed by the surgeon ......ANSWER........b. Consent
is signed by two consulting physicians
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization destroys microbes by the
process of:
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a. alkylation
b. Osmosis
c. Oxidation
d. Cavitation ......ANSWER........a. Alkylation
What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm?
a. Thrombus
b. Embolus
c. Atherosclerosis
d. Hypotension ......ANSWER........C. Atherosclerosis
What is used to determine the position of cannulated screws
during repair of a femoral neck fracture?
a. Broach
b. Guide pins
c. Canal reamer
d. ruler ......ANSWER........B. Guide pins
The instruments show below are used to dilate the:
, Page 4 of 163
a. urethra
b. cervix
c. Coronary artery
d. Intranasal antrostomy ......ANSWER........B. cervix
Prior to being placed in the Eto sterilizer, items must:
a. Not be heat sensitive
b. Be lubricated with oil
c. Have residual water on their surface
d. Be completely dry ......ANSWER........D. Be completely dry
During general anesthesia induction, which sense is the last to be
experienced by the patient?
a. Touch
b. Taste
c. Hearing
d. Smell ......ANSWER........C. Hearing
The purpose of creating an arteriovenous fistula is for:
NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice
Exams A & B – 2025 Edition | 300 Verified Questions
and Answers | National Board of Surgical Technology
and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Exam Prep
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in
cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus ......ANSWER........A. Raney
The local freezing of diseased tissue to facilitate removal
without bleeding is:
a. Cryosurgery
b. Electrocautery
c. Diathermy
,Page 2 of 163
d. harmonic scalpel ......ANSWER........A. Cryosurgery
In severe aortic stenosis, all of the following are indications of
valve replacement except?
a. Myocardial ischemia
b. Left ventricle hypertrophy
c. Palpitations
d. Angina ......ANSWER........C. Palpitations
In the event a child requires emergency surgery, but the parents
cannot be located to sign the surgical consent:
a. Consent is signed by a court of law
b. Consent is signed by two consulting physicians
c. No consent is required
d. Consent is signed by the surgeon ......ANSWER........b. Consent
is signed by two consulting physicians
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization destroys microbes by the
process of:
,Page 3 of 163
a. alkylation
b. Osmosis
c. Oxidation
d. Cavitation ......ANSWER........a. Alkylation
What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm?
a. Thrombus
b. Embolus
c. Atherosclerosis
d. Hypotension ......ANSWER........C. Atherosclerosis
What is used to determine the position of cannulated screws
during repair of a femoral neck fracture?
a. Broach
b. Guide pins
c. Canal reamer
d. ruler ......ANSWER........B. Guide pins
The instruments show below are used to dilate the:
, Page 4 of 163
a. urethra
b. cervix
c. Coronary artery
d. Intranasal antrostomy ......ANSWER........B. cervix
Prior to being placed in the Eto sterilizer, items must:
a. Not be heat sensitive
b. Be lubricated with oil
c. Have residual water on their surface
d. Be completely dry ......ANSWER........D. Be completely dry
During general anesthesia induction, which sense is the last to be
experienced by the patient?
a. Touch
b. Taste
c. Hearing
d. Smell ......ANSWER........C. Hearing
The purpose of creating an arteriovenous fistula is for:
