NCCT SURGICAL TECH EXAM EXAM SCRIPT
2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2. What bacterial spore is used as a biological indicator for steam
sterilization?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Bacillus atrophaeus
C. Clostridium tetani
D. Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Answer: Correct response:
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Rationale: Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been determined to
be highly resistant to being killed by steam, making it ideal to test
the efficacy of steam sterilization. Bacillus atrophaeus is used as a BI
to test Ethylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
sterilization. Clostridium tetani is a common soil bacterium and the
causative agent of tetanus. Staphylococcus aureus is a common
bacterium that lives in the human respiratory tract as well as skin.
◉ 3. How many lobes do the right and left lung have?
A. right = two, left = two
B. right = three, left = three
,C. right = two, left = three
D. right = three, left = two. Answer: Correct response:
right = three, left = two
Rationale: The right lung is divided by fissures (clefts) into three
lobes: upper, middle, and lower. The right lung is shorter and wider
than the left to accommodate the liver. The left lung is smaller,
narrower, and longer than the right because the heart is normally
angled to the left side in the cardiac notch. The left lung is
subdivided into two lobes: upper and lower.
◉ 4. These are examples of airborne contamination, except which
one?
A. The plume of smoke from a Bovie in a case with a fungal infection.
B. A sneeze in the locker room from a coworker whose child is sick.
C. An orderly assisting with turnover who has a deep cough and a
loose surgical mask.
D. A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back
table.. Answer: Correct response:
A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back table.
Rationale: The hair tie landing on the sterile back table is an
example of direct contact transmission; it is not airborne. A cough, a
sneeze, and the plume from a Bovie are all airborne contaminants.
,◉ 5. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in
O.R. 1 the surgical tech was just informed that the case has been
moved to O.R. 2 and the next case in O.R. 1 is scheduled in 2 hours.
Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
A. Move the Back table and supplies into O.R. 2.
B. Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the
setup in O.R. 1.
C. Request that the circulator take over moving the supplies from
O.R. 1 to O.R. 2.
D. Cover the Back table and supplies with a sterile drape to keep
sterile in O.R.1.. Answer: Correct response:
Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the
setup in O.R. 1.
Rationale: The best course of action is to obtain new supplies and
instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the setup in O.R. 1. Sterility is
crucial in the operating room, and once supplies are opened and
exposed to the environment in one room, they are no longer
considered sterile if moved to another room due to potential
contamination during the transfer process. Using new, sterile
supplies ensures that the instruments and materials are properly
sterile and safe for the next case. Covering the supplies with a sterile
drape does not ensure sterility if the supplies are moved to a
different room. The risk of contamination during transfer makes this
option inadequate. Move the back table and supplies into O.R. 2:
Moving supplies from one operating room to another is not
, advisable because it risks contamination. Sterile supplies should not
be transported between rooms as the potential for exposure and
contamination exists. Request that the circulator take over moving
the supplies from O.R. 1 to O.R. 2: Regardless of who performs the
task, moving supplies between rooms does not maintain sterility.
The safest approach is to use new supplies for each case to ensure
that sterility is maintained.
◉ Which is the most recommended practice for arranging sterile
instruments and supplies for a surgical procedure?
A. Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use.
B. Alternating smaller and larger instruments to fit on the table.
C. Arranging instruments in alphabetical order on the back table.
D. Sorting instruments by amount of use by surgeons.. Answer:
Correct response:
Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use.
Rationale: Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use is
correct because this helps streamline the surgical process, reducing
the risk of delays and ensuring the right instrument is readily
available when needed. Sorting instruments by their amount of use
by the surgeon (their popularity) is not correct or recommended
during the preparation of instruments for a surgical procedure.
Instrument choice should be determined by the surgery
requirements and the surgeon's preference card. What matters more
is their function and order of use. Do not take time to organize
2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2. What bacterial spore is used as a biological indicator for steam
sterilization?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Bacillus atrophaeus
C. Clostridium tetani
D. Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Answer: Correct response:
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Rationale: Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been determined to
be highly resistant to being killed by steam, making it ideal to test
the efficacy of steam sterilization. Bacillus atrophaeus is used as a BI
to test Ethylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
sterilization. Clostridium tetani is a common soil bacterium and the
causative agent of tetanus. Staphylococcus aureus is a common
bacterium that lives in the human respiratory tract as well as skin.
◉ 3. How many lobes do the right and left lung have?
A. right = two, left = two
B. right = three, left = three
,C. right = two, left = three
D. right = three, left = two. Answer: Correct response:
right = three, left = two
Rationale: The right lung is divided by fissures (clefts) into three
lobes: upper, middle, and lower. The right lung is shorter and wider
than the left to accommodate the liver. The left lung is smaller,
narrower, and longer than the right because the heart is normally
angled to the left side in the cardiac notch. The left lung is
subdivided into two lobes: upper and lower.
◉ 4. These are examples of airborne contamination, except which
one?
A. The plume of smoke from a Bovie in a case with a fungal infection.
B. A sneeze in the locker room from a coworker whose child is sick.
C. An orderly assisting with turnover who has a deep cough and a
loose surgical mask.
D. A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back
table.. Answer: Correct response:
A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back table.
Rationale: The hair tie landing on the sterile back table is an
example of direct contact transmission; it is not airborne. A cough, a
sneeze, and the plume from a Bovie are all airborne contaminants.
,◉ 5. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in
O.R. 1 the surgical tech was just informed that the case has been
moved to O.R. 2 and the next case in O.R. 1 is scheduled in 2 hours.
Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
A. Move the Back table and supplies into O.R. 2.
B. Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the
setup in O.R. 1.
C. Request that the circulator take over moving the supplies from
O.R. 1 to O.R. 2.
D. Cover the Back table and supplies with a sterile drape to keep
sterile in O.R.1.. Answer: Correct response:
Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the
setup in O.R. 1.
Rationale: The best course of action is to obtain new supplies and
instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the setup in O.R. 1. Sterility is
crucial in the operating room, and once supplies are opened and
exposed to the environment in one room, they are no longer
considered sterile if moved to another room due to potential
contamination during the transfer process. Using new, sterile
supplies ensures that the instruments and materials are properly
sterile and safe for the next case. Covering the supplies with a sterile
drape does not ensure sterility if the supplies are moved to a
different room. The risk of contamination during transfer makes this
option inadequate. Move the back table and supplies into O.R. 2:
Moving supplies from one operating room to another is not
, advisable because it risks contamination. Sterile supplies should not
be transported between rooms as the potential for exposure and
contamination exists. Request that the circulator take over moving
the supplies from O.R. 1 to O.R. 2: Regardless of who performs the
task, moving supplies between rooms does not maintain sterility.
The safest approach is to use new supplies for each case to ensure
that sterility is maintained.
◉ Which is the most recommended practice for arranging sterile
instruments and supplies for a surgical procedure?
A. Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use.
B. Alternating smaller and larger instruments to fit on the table.
C. Arranging instruments in alphabetical order on the back table.
D. Sorting instruments by amount of use by surgeons.. Answer:
Correct response:
Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use.
Rationale: Organizing instruments in the order of anticipated use is
correct because this helps streamline the surgical process, reducing
the risk of delays and ensuring the right instrument is readily
available when needed. Sorting instruments by their amount of use
by the surgeon (their popularity) is not correct or recommended
during the preparation of instruments for a surgical procedure.
Instrument choice should be determined by the surgery
requirements and the surgeon's preference card. What matters more
is their function and order of use. Do not take time to organize
