Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
Which of the following is the primary purpose of surgical asepsis?
A. To reduce hospital costs
B. To eliminate all microorganisms from an area
C. To clean contaminated surfaces
D. To reduce patient anxiety
Rationale: Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, is designed to
maintain or create an environment completely free of all microorganisms,
including spores. This is essential in preventing surgical site infections during
invasive procedures. Unlike medical asepsis, which only reduces microbial load,
surgical asepsis aims for total elimination in the sterile field.
2.
Which instrument is commonly used for clamping blood vessels?
A. Metzenbaum scissors
B. Kelly forceps
C. Army-Navy retractor
D. Mayo needle holder
,Rationale: Kelly forceps are hemostatic instruments specifically designed to
clamp medium-sized blood vessels to control bleeding during surgery. They are
widely used in general surgical procedures for vessel occlusion.
3.
What is the most important step before entering the sterile field?
A. Applying sterile gloves
B. Adjusting surgical lights
C. Performing a surgical scrub
D. Reviewing patient chart
Rationale: A surgical scrub is essential before entering the sterile field to reduce
transient and resident flora on the hands and forearms. This helps maintain
sterility and reduces risk of contamination during the procedure.
4.
Which of the following is a monosyllabic suture type?
A. Vicryl
B. Silk
C. Nylon
D. Prolene
Rationale: Prolene is a monofilament, synthetic non-absorbable suture
commonly used in cardiovascular and skin closure procedures. Monofilament
sutures are preferred in certain cases due to reduced infection risk.
5.
What is the primary function of a surgical drape?
,A. To absorb fluids
B. To support instruments
C. To identify sterile staff
D. To create a sterile barrier
Rationale: Surgical drapes are used to establish and maintain a sterile field by
acting as a barrier between sterile and non-sterile areas, preventing microbial
contamination during surgery.
6.
Which position is commonly used for thyroid surgery?
A. Lithotomy
B. Supine with neck extension
C. Prone
D. Sims
Rationale: The supine position with neck extension provides optimal exposure of
the anterior neck structures during thyroid surgery, allowing better access for
the surgeon.
7.
Which solution is most appropriate for skin preparation before surgery?
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Alcohol only
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate
D. Sterile saline
Rationale: Chlorhexidine gluconate is widely used due to its broad-spectrum
antimicrobial activity and residual effect, making it highly effective for
preoperative skin preparation.
, 8.
Which is a characteristic of an absorbable suture?
A. Permanent tissue reaction
B. Requires removal
C. High tensile strength indefinitely
D. Breaks down in the body over time
Rationale: Absorbable sutures are designed to be broken down by enzymatic or
hydrolytic processes in the body, eliminating the need for removal after healing.
9.
What is the purpose of surgical instrument counts?
A. To reduce surgery time
B. To prevent retained surgical items
C. To organize trays
D. To sterilize instruments
Rationale: Surgical counts are performed to ensure no sponges, needles, or
instruments are left inside the patient, which is a critical patient safety measure.
10.
Which organ is primarily involved in bile production?
A. Pancreas
B. Spleen
C. Gallbladder
D. Liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile, which is essential for digestion and fat
emulsification. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile but does not
produce it.
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
Which of the following is the primary purpose of surgical asepsis?
A. To reduce hospital costs
B. To eliminate all microorganisms from an area
C. To clean contaminated surfaces
D. To reduce patient anxiety
Rationale: Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, is designed to
maintain or create an environment completely free of all microorganisms,
including spores. This is essential in preventing surgical site infections during
invasive procedures. Unlike medical asepsis, which only reduces microbial load,
surgical asepsis aims for total elimination in the sterile field.
2.
Which instrument is commonly used for clamping blood vessels?
A. Metzenbaum scissors
B. Kelly forceps
C. Army-Navy retractor
D. Mayo needle holder
,Rationale: Kelly forceps are hemostatic instruments specifically designed to
clamp medium-sized blood vessels to control bleeding during surgery. They are
widely used in general surgical procedures for vessel occlusion.
3.
What is the most important step before entering the sterile field?
A. Applying sterile gloves
B. Adjusting surgical lights
C. Performing a surgical scrub
D. Reviewing patient chart
Rationale: A surgical scrub is essential before entering the sterile field to reduce
transient and resident flora on the hands and forearms. This helps maintain
sterility and reduces risk of contamination during the procedure.
4.
Which of the following is a monosyllabic suture type?
A. Vicryl
B. Silk
C. Nylon
D. Prolene
Rationale: Prolene is a monofilament, synthetic non-absorbable suture
commonly used in cardiovascular and skin closure procedures. Monofilament
sutures are preferred in certain cases due to reduced infection risk.
5.
What is the primary function of a surgical drape?
,A. To absorb fluids
B. To support instruments
C. To identify sterile staff
D. To create a sterile barrier
Rationale: Surgical drapes are used to establish and maintain a sterile field by
acting as a barrier between sterile and non-sterile areas, preventing microbial
contamination during surgery.
6.
Which position is commonly used for thyroid surgery?
A. Lithotomy
B. Supine with neck extension
C. Prone
D. Sims
Rationale: The supine position with neck extension provides optimal exposure of
the anterior neck structures during thyroid surgery, allowing better access for
the surgeon.
7.
Which solution is most appropriate for skin preparation before surgery?
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Alcohol only
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate
D. Sterile saline
Rationale: Chlorhexidine gluconate is widely used due to its broad-spectrum
antimicrobial activity and residual effect, making it highly effective for
preoperative skin preparation.
, 8.
Which is a characteristic of an absorbable suture?
A. Permanent tissue reaction
B. Requires removal
C. High tensile strength indefinitely
D. Breaks down in the body over time
Rationale: Absorbable sutures are designed to be broken down by enzymatic or
hydrolytic processes in the body, eliminating the need for removal after healing.
9.
What is the purpose of surgical instrument counts?
A. To reduce surgery time
B. To prevent retained surgical items
C. To organize trays
D. To sterilize instruments
Rationale: Surgical counts are performed to ensure no sponges, needles, or
instruments are left inside the patient, which is a critical patient safety measure.
10.
Which organ is primarily involved in bile production?
A. Pancreas
B. Spleen
C. Gallbladder
D. Liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile, which is essential for digestion and fat
emulsification. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile but does not
produce it.
