AST Practice Exam #4 Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | Complete Certification Exam Study Guide | A+ Grade

AST Practice Exam #4 questions and answers A+
Grade 2026\2027

1. What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?

a. Skin hook

b. Penrose drain

c. Vessel loops

d. Umbilical tapes
- correct answer b. Penrose drain



2. Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed prior to a hysterectomy?

a. Record fluid intake

b. Avoid injury to bladder

c. Distend bladder

d. Demonstrate ureteral patency
- correct answer b. Avoid injury to bladder



3. Which of the following scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial incision?

a. Metzenbaum

b. Jorgenson

c. Iris

d. Potts-smith
- correct answer d. Potts-smith



4. Which of the following is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test?

a. Lugol's solution

,b. Indigo carmind

c. Methylene blue

d. Acetic acid
- correct answer a. Lugol's solution



5. Which of the following arises from the left ventricle of the heart?

a. Ascending aorta

b. Pulmonary vein

c. Descending aorta

d. Pulmonary artery
- correct answer a. Ascending aorta



6. What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the sterilization process, but
sterility is not guaranteed?

a. Mechanical

b. Biological

c. Chemical

d. Bowie-dick
- correct answer c. Chemical



7. Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and saved?

a. To donate to cancer patients

b. In case of need for future genetic testing

c. It is patient property

d. Prevent post-op surgical site infection
- correct answer c. It is patient property



8. When preparing a double basin for sterilization, the:

a. Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel

b. Sponges should be placed in the top basin

,c. Wrapped package should be laid flat on the shelf of the sterilizing cart

d. Bottom basin should contain a residual of distilled water
- correct answer a. Basins should be separated by a porous, absorbent towel



9. Which stucture, during a total hip arhtroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming prior to placement of
a prosthesis?

a. Femoral canal

b. Tibial plateau

c. Acetabular fossa

d. Greater trochanter
- correct answer a. Femoral canal



10. Which of the following is the least restrictive form of credentialing?

a. Certification

b. Licensure

c. Registration

d. Accreditation
- correct answer c. Registration



11. What drug classification is Demerol?

a. Dilator

b. Analgesic

c. Sedative

d. Vasoconstrictor
- correct answer b. Analgesic



12. What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a thyroidectomy?

a. Tracheotomy tray

b. Clean stent dressing

c. Extra penrose drain

, d. Antiembolic stockings
- correct answer a. Tracheotomy tray



13. What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride?

a. Fe

b. Hg

c. NaCl

d. H20
- correct answer c. NaCl



14. Which organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins?

a. Golgi complex

b. Mitochondria

c. Nucleus

d. Ribosome
- correct answer a. Golgi complex



15. Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown below? (hirschmann anoscope)

a. D&C

b. Hemorrhoidectomy

c. Gastrostomy

d. TURP
- correct answer b. Hemorrhoidectomy



16. What types of treatment does a patient authorize when signing a general consent form?

a. Only for receiving general anesthesia

b. Invasive surgical procedures

c. Receiving experimental drugs

d. All routine treatments or procedures
- correct answer d. All routine treatments or procedures