NCCT TS C SURGICAL TECH EXAM 2026
DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES VERIFIED GRADE A+
SOLUTIONS | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
NCCT Surgical Technologist Practice Exam
1. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field for a
scheduled exploratory laparotomy. While opening the
laparotomy instrument tray, the technologist notices that the
chemical indicator inside the tray has not changed to the
proper color, although the external autoclave tape is fully
changed. What is the most appropriate next action for the
technologist to take?
A. Use the instruments anyway because the external autoclave tape
indicates the load is completely sterile.
B. Flash sterilize the entire instrument tray for three minutes in the
immediate-use steam sterilizer.
C. Consider the entire tray unsterile, remove it from the field, and obtain
a newly sterilized tray.
D. Wipe down the instruments with isopropyl alcohol before placing
them onto the Mayo stand.
Correct Answer: C. Consider the entire tray unsterile, remove
it from the field, and obtain a newly sterilized tray.
Rationale: Internal chemical indicators verify that the sterilizing agent
has penetrated the package and reached the specific parameters
required for sterilization. If the internal indicator fails, the load cannot
be trusted as sterile, even if the external tape changed color. Re-
processing or obtaining a new sterile tray is mandatory to prevent
surgical site infections.
2. During an emergency open cholecystectomy, the surgeon
accidentally punctures the gallbladder, causing a significant
spill of bile and stones into the peritoneal cavity. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wound
,classification system, how should this surgical wound be
categorized?
A. Clean (Class I)
B. Clean-Contaminated (Class II)
C. Contaminated (Class III)
D. Dirty or Infected (Class IV)
Correct Answer: C. Contaminated (Class III)
Rationale: Class III (Contaminated) wounds include acute, non-
purulent inflammation, or major breaks in sterile technique, as well as
gross spillage from the gastrointestinal tract. Uncontrolled bile spillage
during a cholecystectomy upgrades the wound from Class II (Clean-
Contaminated) to Class III.
3. A 45-year-old patient undergoing a total abdominal
hysterectomy is placed in the Trendelenburg position to
enhance visualization of the pelvic organs. The surgical
technologist must be aware that prolonged use of this specific
positioning poses the greatest risk for which physiological
complication?
A. Severe respiratory compromise due to the weight of abdominal viscera
pressing against the diaphragm.
B. Increased venous pooling in the lower extremities leading to deep vein
thrombosis.
C. Hyperextension of the lumbar spine causing permanent sciatic nerve
damage.
D. Ischemic necrosis of the occipital lobe due to decreased cerebral blood
flow.
Correct Answer: A. Severe respiratory compromise due to the
weight of abdominal viscera pressing against the diaphragm.
Rationale: In the Trendelenburg position, the patient's head is lower
than the feet. The abdominal contents shift cephalad, pressing against
the diaphragm, which decreases lung compliance, limits tidal volume,
and increases the work of breathing.
4. While setting up the electrosurgical unit (ESU) for a
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the surgical
,technologist notes that the patient has a permanent cardiac
pacemaker. Which precautionary measure is most critical
regarding the placement of the dispersive electrode grounding
pad?
A. Place the grounding pad directly over the patient's chest wall to shield
the pacemaker generator.
B. Position the grounding pad as close to the operative site as possible,
ensuring it does not cross the path of the pacemaker.
C. Avoid using the grounding pad entirely and rely solely on the active
electrode's insulation.
D. Place the grounding pad on the patient's left upper arm to ground the
cardiac electrical pathways.
Correct Answer: B. Position the grounding pad as close to the
operative site as possible, ensuring it does not cross the path
of the pacemaker.
Rationale: To minimize the risk of electrosurgical current interfering
with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), the
grounding pad should be placed close to the surgical site so the current
path is short and away from the heart and the implanted device.
Monopolar ESU current can cause pacemaker malfunction or
reprogramming.
5. During a scheduled orthopedic total hip arthroplasty, the
surgical technologist is responsible for monitoring the
administration of polymethyl methacrylate (bone cement).
Which systemic symptom should the technologist closely
anticipate immediately following the mixing and application of
this material?
A. Sudden, severe hypertension accompanied by tachycardia.
B. Rapid drop in blood pressure and transient hypoxemia.
C. Acute respiratory alkalosis with localized hyperthermia.
D. Profuse diaphoresis combined with a sudden spike in core body
temperature.
Correct Answer: B. Rapid drop in blood pressure and
transient hypoxemia.
Rationale: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can cause Bone Cement
Implantation Syndrome (BCIS), characterized by hypotension,
, hypoxemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and increased pulmonary vascular
resistance, occurring during or immediately after the cement is packed
into the bone.
6. A surgical technologist is performing the initial sponge,
sharp, and instrument count prior to the skin incision on a
patient undergoing a Cesarean section. If a discrepancy in the
sponge count is discovered at this specific time, what is the
correct sequence of actions?
A. Document the missing sponge in the patient's chart and ask the
circulator to bring a replacement pack.
B. Recount the pack; if still incorrect, isolate the entire pack, wrap it,
label it as incorrect, and remove it from the sterile field.
C. Continue with the surgical procedure and perform an extra count
before the closure of the uterus.
D. Notify the surgeon immediately so that a portable intraoperative
radiograph can be ordered before proceeding.
Correct Answer: B. Recount the pack; if still incorrect, isolate
the entire pack, wrap it, label it as incorrect, and remove it
from the sterile field.
Rationale: If an incorrect number of items is found during the initial
count, the entire package should be isolated, bagged, labeled as
incorrect, and removed from the sterile field to prevent it from being
integrated into the field counts. It should not remain in the operating
room.
7. An elderly patient is scheduled for an emergency repair of a
ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). During the case,
the surgeon requires systemic anticoagulation to cross-clamp
the aorta. Which medication should the surgical technologist
have ready on the sterile field, and what is its specific reversal
agent?
A. Warfarin sodium; reversed by the administration of Vitamin K.
B. Heparin sodium; reversed by the administration of Protamine sulfate.
C. Thrombin; reversed by the administration of Aminocaproic acid.
D. Enoxaparin; reversed by the administration of Calcium gluconate.
DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES VERIFIED GRADE A+
SOLUTIONS | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
NCCT Surgical Technologist Practice Exam
1. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile field for a
scheduled exploratory laparotomy. While opening the
laparotomy instrument tray, the technologist notices that the
chemical indicator inside the tray has not changed to the
proper color, although the external autoclave tape is fully
changed. What is the most appropriate next action for the
technologist to take?
A. Use the instruments anyway because the external autoclave tape
indicates the load is completely sterile.
B. Flash sterilize the entire instrument tray for three minutes in the
immediate-use steam sterilizer.
C. Consider the entire tray unsterile, remove it from the field, and obtain
a newly sterilized tray.
D. Wipe down the instruments with isopropyl alcohol before placing
them onto the Mayo stand.
Correct Answer: C. Consider the entire tray unsterile, remove
it from the field, and obtain a newly sterilized tray.
Rationale: Internal chemical indicators verify that the sterilizing agent
has penetrated the package and reached the specific parameters
required for sterilization. If the internal indicator fails, the load cannot
be trusted as sterile, even if the external tape changed color. Re-
processing or obtaining a new sterile tray is mandatory to prevent
surgical site infections.
2. During an emergency open cholecystectomy, the surgeon
accidentally punctures the gallbladder, causing a significant
spill of bile and stones into the peritoneal cavity. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wound
,classification system, how should this surgical wound be
categorized?
A. Clean (Class I)
B. Clean-Contaminated (Class II)
C. Contaminated (Class III)
D. Dirty or Infected (Class IV)
Correct Answer: C. Contaminated (Class III)
Rationale: Class III (Contaminated) wounds include acute, non-
purulent inflammation, or major breaks in sterile technique, as well as
gross spillage from the gastrointestinal tract. Uncontrolled bile spillage
during a cholecystectomy upgrades the wound from Class II (Clean-
Contaminated) to Class III.
3. A 45-year-old patient undergoing a total abdominal
hysterectomy is placed in the Trendelenburg position to
enhance visualization of the pelvic organs. The surgical
technologist must be aware that prolonged use of this specific
positioning poses the greatest risk for which physiological
complication?
A. Severe respiratory compromise due to the weight of abdominal viscera
pressing against the diaphragm.
B. Increased venous pooling in the lower extremities leading to deep vein
thrombosis.
C. Hyperextension of the lumbar spine causing permanent sciatic nerve
damage.
D. Ischemic necrosis of the occipital lobe due to decreased cerebral blood
flow.
Correct Answer: A. Severe respiratory compromise due to the
weight of abdominal viscera pressing against the diaphragm.
Rationale: In the Trendelenburg position, the patient's head is lower
than the feet. The abdominal contents shift cephalad, pressing against
the diaphragm, which decreases lung compliance, limits tidal volume,
and increases the work of breathing.
4. While setting up the electrosurgical unit (ESU) for a
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the surgical
,technologist notes that the patient has a permanent cardiac
pacemaker. Which precautionary measure is most critical
regarding the placement of the dispersive electrode grounding
pad?
A. Place the grounding pad directly over the patient's chest wall to shield
the pacemaker generator.
B. Position the grounding pad as close to the operative site as possible,
ensuring it does not cross the path of the pacemaker.
C. Avoid using the grounding pad entirely and rely solely on the active
electrode's insulation.
D. Place the grounding pad on the patient's left upper arm to ground the
cardiac electrical pathways.
Correct Answer: B. Position the grounding pad as close to the
operative site as possible, ensuring it does not cross the path
of the pacemaker.
Rationale: To minimize the risk of electrosurgical current interfering
with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), the
grounding pad should be placed close to the surgical site so the current
path is short and away from the heart and the implanted device.
Monopolar ESU current can cause pacemaker malfunction or
reprogramming.
5. During a scheduled orthopedic total hip arthroplasty, the
surgical technologist is responsible for monitoring the
administration of polymethyl methacrylate (bone cement).
Which systemic symptom should the technologist closely
anticipate immediately following the mixing and application of
this material?
A. Sudden, severe hypertension accompanied by tachycardia.
B. Rapid drop in blood pressure and transient hypoxemia.
C. Acute respiratory alkalosis with localized hyperthermia.
D. Profuse diaphoresis combined with a sudden spike in core body
temperature.
Correct Answer: B. Rapid drop in blood pressure and
transient hypoxemia.
Rationale: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can cause Bone Cement
Implantation Syndrome (BCIS), characterized by hypotension,
, hypoxemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and increased pulmonary vascular
resistance, occurring during or immediately after the cement is packed
into the bone.
6. A surgical technologist is performing the initial sponge,
sharp, and instrument count prior to the skin incision on a
patient undergoing a Cesarean section. If a discrepancy in the
sponge count is discovered at this specific time, what is the
correct sequence of actions?
A. Document the missing sponge in the patient's chart and ask the
circulator to bring a replacement pack.
B. Recount the pack; if still incorrect, isolate the entire pack, wrap it,
label it as incorrect, and remove it from the sterile field.
C. Continue with the surgical procedure and perform an extra count
before the closure of the uterus.
D. Notify the surgeon immediately so that a portable intraoperative
radiograph can be ordered before proceeding.
Correct Answer: B. Recount the pack; if still incorrect, isolate
the entire pack, wrap it, label it as incorrect, and remove it
from the sterile field.
Rationale: If an incorrect number of items is found during the initial
count, the entire package should be isolated, bagged, labeled as
incorrect, and removed from the sterile field to prevent it from being
integrated into the field counts. It should not remain in the operating
room.
7. An elderly patient is scheduled for an emergency repair of a
ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). During the case,
the surgeon requires systemic anticoagulation to cross-clamp
the aorta. Which medication should the surgical technologist
have ready on the sterile field, and what is its specific reversal
agent?
A. Warfarin sodium; reversed by the administration of Vitamin K.
B. Heparin sodium; reversed by the administration of Protamine sulfate.
C. Thrombin; reversed by the administration of Aminocaproic acid.
D. Enoxaparin; reversed by the administration of Calcium gluconate.
