NCCT SURGICAL TECH EXAM 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive resource contains 300 unique, high-yield multiple-choice
questions meticulously designed to mirror the actual NCCT Tech in Surgery -
Certified (TS-C) examination. Each question is paired with a correct answer
and a detailed, educational rationale that explains the underlying surgical
principle, ensuring you learn the "why" behind every answer. The bank
covers the full perioperative spectrum, including aseptic technique, intricate
instrument identification, suture and needle selection, patient positioning,
sterilization methods, electrosurgery safety, and critical count protocols. With
zero repetition across all 300 questions, this diverse tool is ideal for building
foundational knowledge, identifying weak areas, and confidently preparing
for certification success.
1. A surgeon requests a curved hemostat to clamp a bleeding vessel. Which
instrument has the smallest jaw curve and finest tips for delicate dissection?
A. Kelly
B. Crile
C. Mosquito
D. Rochester-Pean
Correct Answer: C. Mosquito
Rationale: The mosquito hemostat has a delicate, small, fully curved jaw with fine
serrations, designed for clamping small vessels and delicate tissue. A Kelly is
larger with transverse serrations; a Crile has longitudinal serrations; a Rochester-
Pean is heavy and used for larger tissue pedicles, making the mosquito the best
choice for fine, delicate work.
2. Which sterilization method is most appropriate for a rigid bronchoscope with a
built-in fiber-optic light bundle that is heat-sensitive?
A. Steam autoclave at 270°F
B. Dry heat at 320°F
C. Ethylene oxide gas
D. Boiling water for 30 minutes
,Correct Answer: C. Ethylene oxide gas
Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a low-temperature sterilization method suitable
for heat- and moisture-sensitive items like fiber-optic scopes. Steam and dry heat
would damage the optics and internal components, while boiling water achieves
only disinfection, not true sterilization.
3. During a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon requests a retractor to hold
the bladder inferiorly. Which retractor is specifically designed for this purpose?
A. Richardson
B. Deaver
C. Balfour
D. Harrington
Correct Answer: B. Deaver
Rationale: The Deaver is a large, thin, curved, handheld retractor used to retract
deep abdominal organs such as the bladder or liver. A Richardson is for superficial
wound edges, a Balfour is a self-retaining abdominal retractor, and a Harrington is
specifically for the liver.
4. What is the minimum recommended surgical hand scrub time using a traditional
antimicrobial brush scrub for the first scrub of the day according to standard
AORN guidelines?
A. 1 to 2 minutes
B. 3 to 5 minutes
C. 6 to 8 minutes
D. 10 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 3 to 5 minutes
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend a 3- to 5-minute surgical hand scrub for
the initial scrub of the day using an antimicrobial agent. This duration is sufficient
to reduce resident and transient flora to acceptable levels without causing excessive
skin irritation.
5. A surgical technologist notices a small tear in the sterile glove during a
procedure. What is the immediate correct action?
A. Apply a sterile adhesive patch over the tear
B. Change the glove using the open-gloving technique
C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique after removing the
contaminated glove
D. Cover the glove with a second sterile glove without removing the first
Correct Answer: C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique after
removing the contaminated glove
,Rationale: A torn glove breaches the sterile barrier. The contaminated glove must
be removed carefully, and a new sterile glove must be applied. The closed-gloving
technique is preferred during surgery because the hands are not exposed,
maintaining sterility throughout the change.
6. Which of the following suture materials is most appropriate for closing
subcutaneous tissue in a patient with a known allergy to penicillin and requiring
prolonged wound support?
A. Plain gut
B. Chromic gut
C. Polydioxanone (PDS)
D. Silk
Correct Answer: C. Polydioxanone (PDS)
Rationale: PDS is a synthetic, monofilament, absorbable suture that provides
prolonged wound support (up to 6 weeks) and elicits minimal tissue reaction. Plain
gut and chromic gut absorb too quickly, and silk is non-absorbable and can harbor
bacteria.
7. The surgeon is performing a bowel resection and asks for a clamp that will crush
the tissue to allow for a secure closure. Which clamp is designed for crushing
bowel tissue?
A. Babcock
B. Allis
C. Kocher
D. Doyen
Correct Answer: C. Kocher
Rationale: The Kocher clamp (also known as an Ochsner) has serrated jaws with
one or two sharp teeth at the tip, designed to securely grasp and crush heavy tissue
such as bowel mesentery. Babcock and Allis are non-crushing or grasping; Doyen
is a non-crushing intestinal clamp.
8. For a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which port is typically placed at the
umbilicus for the camera?
A. 5 mm port
B. 10 mm port
C. 12 mm port
D. 15 mm port
Correct Answer: B. 10 mm port
Rationale: A 10 mm port is standard for the umbilical camera site in laparoscopic
cholecystectomy to accommodate a 10 mm laparoscope. A 5 mm port is too small
, for most standard cameras, and 12 mm or 15 mm ports are generally used for
larger stapling devices.
9. The proper sequence for donning a sterile gown and gloves using the closed-
glove technique is:
A. Gown, then gloves
B. Gloves, then gown
C. Gown, mask, then gloves
D. Gloves, mask, then gown
Correct Answer: A. Gown, then gloves
Rationale: In the closed-glove technique, the sterile gown is donned first, and the
gloves are applied without the hands protruding through the cuffs. This maintains
the sterility of the glove's outer surface and the gown cuffs.
10. A patient is in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy. Which
complication is the surgical technologist most vigilant about preventing?
A. Foot drop
B. Brachial plexus injury
C. Pressure alopecia
D. Sciatic nerve palsy
Correct Answer: A. Foot drop
Rationale: In lithotomy position, the legs are elevated and the knees are flexed.
Incorrect positioning or improper stirrups can compress the common peroneal
nerve against the fibular head, leading to foot drop. Brachial plexus injury is more
associated with Trendelenburg, and pressure alopecia is from head positioning.
11. Which type of electrosurgery disperses current through the patient using a
return electrode pad?
A. Monopolar
B. Bipolar
C. Argon beam
D. Ultrasonic
Correct Answer: A. Monopolar
Rationale: Monopolar electrosurgery requires a return electrode (grounding pad) to
complete the circuit and disperse current through the patient to the generator.
Bipolar does not need a grounding pad as current passes only between the two tips
of the instrument.
12. The initial count of sponges, sharps, and instruments is performed by the
surgical technologist and the circulating nurse. When is this count typically done?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive resource contains 300 unique, high-yield multiple-choice
questions meticulously designed to mirror the actual NCCT Tech in Surgery -
Certified (TS-C) examination. Each question is paired with a correct answer
and a detailed, educational rationale that explains the underlying surgical
principle, ensuring you learn the "why" behind every answer. The bank
covers the full perioperative spectrum, including aseptic technique, intricate
instrument identification, suture and needle selection, patient positioning,
sterilization methods, electrosurgery safety, and critical count protocols. With
zero repetition across all 300 questions, this diverse tool is ideal for building
foundational knowledge, identifying weak areas, and confidently preparing
for certification success.
1. A surgeon requests a curved hemostat to clamp a bleeding vessel. Which
instrument has the smallest jaw curve and finest tips for delicate dissection?
A. Kelly
B. Crile
C. Mosquito
D. Rochester-Pean
Correct Answer: C. Mosquito
Rationale: The mosquito hemostat has a delicate, small, fully curved jaw with fine
serrations, designed for clamping small vessels and delicate tissue. A Kelly is
larger with transverse serrations; a Crile has longitudinal serrations; a Rochester-
Pean is heavy and used for larger tissue pedicles, making the mosquito the best
choice for fine, delicate work.
2. Which sterilization method is most appropriate for a rigid bronchoscope with a
built-in fiber-optic light bundle that is heat-sensitive?
A. Steam autoclave at 270°F
B. Dry heat at 320°F
C. Ethylene oxide gas
D. Boiling water for 30 minutes
,Correct Answer: C. Ethylene oxide gas
Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a low-temperature sterilization method suitable
for heat- and moisture-sensitive items like fiber-optic scopes. Steam and dry heat
would damage the optics and internal components, while boiling water achieves
only disinfection, not true sterilization.
3. During a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon requests a retractor to hold
the bladder inferiorly. Which retractor is specifically designed for this purpose?
A. Richardson
B. Deaver
C. Balfour
D. Harrington
Correct Answer: B. Deaver
Rationale: The Deaver is a large, thin, curved, handheld retractor used to retract
deep abdominal organs such as the bladder or liver. A Richardson is for superficial
wound edges, a Balfour is a self-retaining abdominal retractor, and a Harrington is
specifically for the liver.
4. What is the minimum recommended surgical hand scrub time using a traditional
antimicrobial brush scrub for the first scrub of the day according to standard
AORN guidelines?
A. 1 to 2 minutes
B. 3 to 5 minutes
C. 6 to 8 minutes
D. 10 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 3 to 5 minutes
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend a 3- to 5-minute surgical hand scrub for
the initial scrub of the day using an antimicrobial agent. This duration is sufficient
to reduce resident and transient flora to acceptable levels without causing excessive
skin irritation.
5. A surgical technologist notices a small tear in the sterile glove during a
procedure. What is the immediate correct action?
A. Apply a sterile adhesive patch over the tear
B. Change the glove using the open-gloving technique
C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique after removing the
contaminated glove
D. Cover the glove with a second sterile glove without removing the first
Correct Answer: C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique after
removing the contaminated glove
,Rationale: A torn glove breaches the sterile barrier. The contaminated glove must
be removed carefully, and a new sterile glove must be applied. The closed-gloving
technique is preferred during surgery because the hands are not exposed,
maintaining sterility throughout the change.
6. Which of the following suture materials is most appropriate for closing
subcutaneous tissue in a patient with a known allergy to penicillin and requiring
prolonged wound support?
A. Plain gut
B. Chromic gut
C. Polydioxanone (PDS)
D. Silk
Correct Answer: C. Polydioxanone (PDS)
Rationale: PDS is a synthetic, monofilament, absorbable suture that provides
prolonged wound support (up to 6 weeks) and elicits minimal tissue reaction. Plain
gut and chromic gut absorb too quickly, and silk is non-absorbable and can harbor
bacteria.
7. The surgeon is performing a bowel resection and asks for a clamp that will crush
the tissue to allow for a secure closure. Which clamp is designed for crushing
bowel tissue?
A. Babcock
B. Allis
C. Kocher
D. Doyen
Correct Answer: C. Kocher
Rationale: The Kocher clamp (also known as an Ochsner) has serrated jaws with
one or two sharp teeth at the tip, designed to securely grasp and crush heavy tissue
such as bowel mesentery. Babcock and Allis are non-crushing or grasping; Doyen
is a non-crushing intestinal clamp.
8. For a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which port is typically placed at the
umbilicus for the camera?
A. 5 mm port
B. 10 mm port
C. 12 mm port
D. 15 mm port
Correct Answer: B. 10 mm port
Rationale: A 10 mm port is standard for the umbilical camera site in laparoscopic
cholecystectomy to accommodate a 10 mm laparoscope. A 5 mm port is too small
, for most standard cameras, and 12 mm or 15 mm ports are generally used for
larger stapling devices.
9. The proper sequence for donning a sterile gown and gloves using the closed-
glove technique is:
A. Gown, then gloves
B. Gloves, then gown
C. Gown, mask, then gloves
D. Gloves, mask, then gown
Correct Answer: A. Gown, then gloves
Rationale: In the closed-glove technique, the sterile gown is donned first, and the
gloves are applied without the hands protruding through the cuffs. This maintains
the sterility of the glove's outer surface and the gown cuffs.
10. A patient is in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy. Which
complication is the surgical technologist most vigilant about preventing?
A. Foot drop
B. Brachial plexus injury
C. Pressure alopecia
D. Sciatic nerve palsy
Correct Answer: A. Foot drop
Rationale: In lithotomy position, the legs are elevated and the knees are flexed.
Incorrect positioning or improper stirrups can compress the common peroneal
nerve against the fibular head, leading to foot drop. Brachial plexus injury is more
associated with Trendelenburg, and pressure alopecia is from head positioning.
11. Which type of electrosurgery disperses current through the patient using a
return electrode pad?
A. Monopolar
B. Bipolar
C. Argon beam
D. Ultrasonic
Correct Answer: A. Monopolar
Rationale: Monopolar electrosurgery requires a return electrode (grounding pad) to
complete the circuit and disperse current through the patient to the generator.
Bipolar does not need a grounding pad as current passes only between the two tips
of the instrument.
12. The initial count of sponges, sharps, and instruments is performed by the
surgical technologist and the circulating nurse. When is this count typically done?
