SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY THE PROFESSION EXAM
EXAM LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100+ QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. Who is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for introducing antiseptic
principles?
A) Louis Pasteur
B) Joseph Lister
C) Robert Koch
D) Ignaz Semmelweis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Joseph Lister introduced carbolic acid to sterilize surgical instruments
and wounds, dramatically reducing post-operative infection rates.
2. The first recorded surgical procedure, trephination, was performed around
3000 BCE to:
A) Remove tumors
B) Relieve intracranial pressure
C) Repair fractures
D) Drain abscesses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Trephination involved drilling holes into the skull to relieve pressure
from swelling, blood clots, or presumed evil spirits.
3. A surgical technologist's primary duty during a procedure is to:
A) Administer anesthesia
B) Maintain the sterile field
C) Diagnose the patient's condition
D) Prescribe post-operative medications
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The core responsibility of the surgical technologist is to establish and
maintain the sterile field, preventing surgical site infections.
4. Res ipsa loquitur in surgical law means:
A) The patient consented to the procedure
B) The thing speaks for itself (obvious negligence)
C) The surgeon is always responsible
D) The instrument count is correct
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Res ipsa loquitur applies when an adverse event (e.g., a retained
sponge) clearly would not occur without negligence.
5. Which organization certifies surgical technologists in the United States?
A) AST
B) NBSTSA
C) CAAHEP
D) ARC/STSA
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(NBSTSA) administers the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.
6. A surgical consent form signed by a minor is legally valid only if:
A) The minor is emancipated
B) A parent or legal guardian signs
C) The surgeon co-signs
D) The procedure is emergency life-saving
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Minors cannot legally consent; a parent or guardian must provide
informed consent except in specific emergencies or emancipation.
7. Which ancient culture developed the first comprehensive medical code
(Hammurabi's Code) regulating surgical fees and penalties?
A) Egyptian
B) Greek
,C) Babylonian
D) Roman
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hammurabi's Code (circa 1750 BCE) from Babylonia specified
payments for successful surgeries and punishments for failures.
8. The "Patient Care Partnership" document replaces the older:
A) HIPAA Notice
B) Patient's Bill of Rights
C) Advance Directive
D) Informed Consent
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The American Hospital Association updated the Patient's Bill of Rights
to the Patient Care Partnership, emphasizing clear communication and respect.
9. A surgical technologist witnesses a surgeon operating while visibly impaired.
The technologist should first:
A) Report to the hospital administrator
B) Confront the surgeon in the OR
C) Notify the charge nurse or supervisor
D) Document and do nothing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The chain of command requires immediate notification of the charge
nurse or OR supervisor, who can address the issue without disrupting patient care.
10. The concept of "first, do no harm" is attributed to the:
A) Hippocratic Oath
B) Geneva Convention
C) Nightingale Pledge
D) Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Hippocratic Oath, originating in ancient Greece, includes the
principle of non-maleficence—avoiding harm to the patient.
, 11. Which of the following is an example of battery in the operating room?
A) A sponge left inside the patient
B) Performing a procedure without consent
C) Breaking a sterile field
D) Forgetting a pre-op antibiotic
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Battery is unauthorized touching; operating without valid consent
constitutes battery, regardless of outcome.
12. The first female surgeon in the United States to earn a medical degree was:
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Elizabeth Blackwell
C) Mary Edwards Walker
D) Virginia Apgar
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Elizabeth Blackwell graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1849,
paving the way for women in surgery.
13. A patient's advance directive becomes active when:
A) The patient enters the OR
B) The patient is unable to make decisions
C) The surgeon requests it
D) The family approves it
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Advance directives (living wills, DNR orders) take effect only when the
patient lacks decision-making capacity.
14. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) was founded in:
A) 1949
B) 1959
C) 1969
D) 1979
Correct Answer: C
EXAM LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100+ QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. Who is credited as the "Father of Modern Surgery" for introducing antiseptic
principles?
A) Louis Pasteur
B) Joseph Lister
C) Robert Koch
D) Ignaz Semmelweis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Joseph Lister introduced carbolic acid to sterilize surgical instruments
and wounds, dramatically reducing post-operative infection rates.
2. The first recorded surgical procedure, trephination, was performed around
3000 BCE to:
A) Remove tumors
B) Relieve intracranial pressure
C) Repair fractures
D) Drain abscesses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Trephination involved drilling holes into the skull to relieve pressure
from swelling, blood clots, or presumed evil spirits.
3. A surgical technologist's primary duty during a procedure is to:
A) Administer anesthesia
B) Maintain the sterile field
C) Diagnose the patient's condition
D) Prescribe post-operative medications
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The core responsibility of the surgical technologist is to establish and
maintain the sterile field, preventing surgical site infections.
4. Res ipsa loquitur in surgical law means:
A) The patient consented to the procedure
B) The thing speaks for itself (obvious negligence)
C) The surgeon is always responsible
D) The instrument count is correct
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Res ipsa loquitur applies when an adverse event (e.g., a retained
sponge) clearly would not occur without negligence.
5. Which organization certifies surgical technologists in the United States?
A) AST
B) NBSTSA
C) CAAHEP
D) ARC/STSA
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(NBSTSA) administers the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.
6. A surgical consent form signed by a minor is legally valid only if:
A) The minor is emancipated
B) A parent or legal guardian signs
C) The surgeon co-signs
D) The procedure is emergency life-saving
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Minors cannot legally consent; a parent or guardian must provide
informed consent except in specific emergencies or emancipation.
7. Which ancient culture developed the first comprehensive medical code
(Hammurabi's Code) regulating surgical fees and penalties?
A) Egyptian
B) Greek
,C) Babylonian
D) Roman
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hammurabi's Code (circa 1750 BCE) from Babylonia specified
payments for successful surgeries and punishments for failures.
8. The "Patient Care Partnership" document replaces the older:
A) HIPAA Notice
B) Patient's Bill of Rights
C) Advance Directive
D) Informed Consent
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The American Hospital Association updated the Patient's Bill of Rights
to the Patient Care Partnership, emphasizing clear communication and respect.
9. A surgical technologist witnesses a surgeon operating while visibly impaired.
The technologist should first:
A) Report to the hospital administrator
B) Confront the surgeon in the OR
C) Notify the charge nurse or supervisor
D) Document and do nothing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The chain of command requires immediate notification of the charge
nurse or OR supervisor, who can address the issue without disrupting patient care.
10. The concept of "first, do no harm" is attributed to the:
A) Hippocratic Oath
B) Geneva Convention
C) Nightingale Pledge
D) Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Hippocratic Oath, originating in ancient Greece, includes the
principle of non-maleficence—avoiding harm to the patient.
, 11. Which of the following is an example of battery in the operating room?
A) A sponge left inside the patient
B) Performing a procedure without consent
C) Breaking a sterile field
D) Forgetting a pre-op antibiotic
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Battery is unauthorized touching; operating without valid consent
constitutes battery, regardless of outcome.
12. The first female surgeon in the United States to earn a medical degree was:
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Elizabeth Blackwell
C) Mary Edwards Walker
D) Virginia Apgar
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Elizabeth Blackwell graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1849,
paving the way for women in surgery.
13. A patient's advance directive becomes active when:
A) The patient enters the OR
B) The patient is unable to make decisions
C) The surgeon requests it
D) The family approves it
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Advance directives (living wills, DNR orders) take effect only when the
patient lacks decision-making capacity.
14. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) was founded in:
A) 1949
B) 1959
C) 1969
D) 1979
Correct Answer: C
