NCCT Surgical Technologist Practice
Exam Questions with Revised &
Updated Answers
Which drainage system is preferred for a radical neck dissection? - Answer- Hemovac
Where should the surgical tech place the needle when loading the suture? - Answer-
1/3 the distance from the swaged edge
What does it mean if an item is listed as a "hold" on the doctor's preference card? -
Answer- The item remains unopened at the beginning of the case, but it is available in
the room in case doctor needs it
Which is the most common area for post operative bleeding following a bariatric
surgery? - Answer- The anastomosis or staple line
What must be periodically used to irrigate the eye to prevent corneal drying (using a
syringe or small squeeze bottle) - Answer- Balanced salt solution
What is the usual order to wipe down surfaces when cleaning the OR after a case? -
Answer- Lights, OR table, surfaces, floors
What should the operating room temperature be for surgery on an adult? - Answer-
Between 68 - 73 degrees Fahrenheit
(20 - 22.8 degrees Celsius)
If a tissue sample is contaminated, which of the following is the most likely source? -
Answer- Contact with non-sterile instruments during biopsy
Always open the sterile table pack or wrapped surgical items with the first flap
___________ from you,
the second and third flaps ___________ and the fourth flap is open __________ you. -
Answer- away, laterally, toward
What is the action of antagonist drugs? - Answer- Counteract the effect of another drug
Approximately 80% of geriatric patients present to surgery with which of the following? -
Answer- comorbidities
Which is the most appropriate way a surgical tech can assess or assist the need for
retraction during surgery? - Answer- Observe the surgeon's hand movements and
anticipate when additional retraction may be necessary for better exposure
, Absorbable suture is generally preferred for suturing which of the following tissue types?
- Answer- Periosteum
How many lobes do the right and left lung have? - Answer- right = three, left = two
A surgical instrument package may become unsterile for the following reasons, except
which one? - Answer- Proper Handling and Storage
Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated? - Answer- U-Drape
Which type of suture has high tensile strength and supports a wound permanently
(indefinitely)? - Answer- Stainless steel
When scrubbing an open reduction internal fixation of an extremity, what is important to
verify with the surgeon besides the plate selection? - Answer- The type and size of the
screws preferred for the case
The surgeon requests a patient to be placed in the lithotomy position for the surgical
procedure. Which of the following positioning devices must be prepared? - Answer- Leg
stirrups
During a surgical procedure involving delicate and easily damaged tissue, which type of
suture needle is the most appropriate to minimize tissue trauma and ensure secure
tissue approximation? - Answer- Tapered needle
The examples below are considered countable sharps, except which one? - Answer-
Kirschner wires
Why are post-op dressings placed over the incision site? - Answer- To keep the incision
clean, help avoid
infection, and absorb fluids
Which of these is an incorrect technique for estimating the blood loss (EBL) during a
case? - Answer- The anesthesia provider can track blood loss on the vitals monitor on
the anesthesia
machine
In cancer surgeries involving the removal of tumor tissue or lymph nodes, which
principle should be strictly followed to avoid instrument contamination? - Answer- Keep
instruments that contact cancerous
tissue separate from clean or uncontaminated items on the sterile field
What is the most appropriate action for the surgical tech to take to uphold the Rights of
Medication Administration during a procedure? - Answer- Verify surgeon's medication
order, check
Exam Questions with Revised &
Updated Answers
Which drainage system is preferred for a radical neck dissection? - Answer- Hemovac
Where should the surgical tech place the needle when loading the suture? - Answer-
1/3 the distance from the swaged edge
What does it mean if an item is listed as a "hold" on the doctor's preference card? -
Answer- The item remains unopened at the beginning of the case, but it is available in
the room in case doctor needs it
Which is the most common area for post operative bleeding following a bariatric
surgery? - Answer- The anastomosis or staple line
What must be periodically used to irrigate the eye to prevent corneal drying (using a
syringe or small squeeze bottle) - Answer- Balanced salt solution
What is the usual order to wipe down surfaces when cleaning the OR after a case? -
Answer- Lights, OR table, surfaces, floors
What should the operating room temperature be for surgery on an adult? - Answer-
Between 68 - 73 degrees Fahrenheit
(20 - 22.8 degrees Celsius)
If a tissue sample is contaminated, which of the following is the most likely source? -
Answer- Contact with non-sterile instruments during biopsy
Always open the sterile table pack or wrapped surgical items with the first flap
___________ from you,
the second and third flaps ___________ and the fourth flap is open __________ you. -
Answer- away, laterally, toward
What is the action of antagonist drugs? - Answer- Counteract the effect of another drug
Approximately 80% of geriatric patients present to surgery with which of the following? -
Answer- comorbidities
Which is the most appropriate way a surgical tech can assess or assist the need for
retraction during surgery? - Answer- Observe the surgeon's hand movements and
anticipate when additional retraction may be necessary for better exposure
, Absorbable suture is generally preferred for suturing which of the following tissue types?
- Answer- Periosteum
How many lobes do the right and left lung have? - Answer- right = three, left = two
A surgical instrument package may become unsterile for the following reasons, except
which one? - Answer- Proper Handling and Storage
Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated? - Answer- U-Drape
Which type of suture has high tensile strength and supports a wound permanently
(indefinitely)? - Answer- Stainless steel
When scrubbing an open reduction internal fixation of an extremity, what is important to
verify with the surgeon besides the plate selection? - Answer- The type and size of the
screws preferred for the case
The surgeon requests a patient to be placed in the lithotomy position for the surgical
procedure. Which of the following positioning devices must be prepared? - Answer- Leg
stirrups
During a surgical procedure involving delicate and easily damaged tissue, which type of
suture needle is the most appropriate to minimize tissue trauma and ensure secure
tissue approximation? - Answer- Tapered needle
The examples below are considered countable sharps, except which one? - Answer-
Kirschner wires
Why are post-op dressings placed over the incision site? - Answer- To keep the incision
clean, help avoid
infection, and absorb fluids
Which of these is an incorrect technique for estimating the blood loss (EBL) during a
case? - Answer- The anesthesia provider can track blood loss on the vitals monitor on
the anesthesia
machine
In cancer surgeries involving the removal of tumor tissue or lymph nodes, which
principle should be strictly followed to avoid instrument contamination? - Answer- Keep
instruments that contact cancerous
tissue separate from clean or uncontaminated items on the sterile field
What is the most appropriate action for the surgical tech to take to uphold the Rights of
Medication Administration during a procedure? - Answer- Verify surgeon's medication
order, check
