NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A Questions And Correct
Answers 100% Guarantee Pass 2026
1. In a scenario where a patient has a pneumothorax, what would be the
expected intervention involving chest tubes?
Apply a bandage to eliminate chest leaks.
Administer medication to prevent pulmonary emboli.
Use a chest tube to irrigate the pleural space with saline.
Insert a chest tube to re-establish negative pressure in the pleural
cavity.
2. Which of the following is a local nonspecific defensive response to tissue
damage?
antibody production
fever
inflammation
interferon
3. Describe the rationale behind the specific skin preparation area for a right
mastectomy with possible axillary dissection.
The skin preparation area focuses only on the chest to prevent
contamination from the upper body.
The skin preparation area is irrelevant to the surgical procedure being
performed.
The skin preparation area is limited to the arm to reduce patient
discomfort.
, The skin preparation area includes the shoulder, upper arm, axilla,
and chest to ensure a sterile field and minimize infection risk during
surgery.
4. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting a
suture?
tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
avoiding the knot
opening the scissors wide when cutting
using sharp scissors
5. Describe the primary purpose of a retractor in surgical procedures.
A retractor is used to measure the depth of incisions.
A retractor is used to suture wounds after surgery.
A retractor is used to cut tissues during surgery.
A retractor is used to hold back tissues to provide better visibility
and access to the surgical site.
6. Mannitol is used in neurosurgical procedures to
reduce intracranial pressure
anesthetize the operative site
fight possible post-operative infection
prevent bleeding
7. Which of the following is used to stabilize a fractured finger?
Hagie pins
, Rush rods
Kirschner wires
Knowles pins
8. What is the main action of a local anesthetic during a surgical procedure?
Stimulate nerve endings
Enhance patient awareness
Block peripheral nerve receptors
Increase blood flow to the area
9. When placing a patient in the lateral position, what device could be used?
Bean Bag
No device just extra pillows
Splint
Fracture table
10. During a preoperative assessment, a patient is found to have significant
cardiovascular issues. How should this information influence the choice of
anesthetic agent?
It indicates that general anesthesia is the only option.
It should lead to the selection of a safer anesthetic agent that
minimizes cardiovascular risks.
It suggests that a longer-acting anesthetic should be used.
It should have no effect on the anesthetic choice.
, 11. Which procedure is performed to examine the lower part of the colon
before a hemorrhoidectomy?
culdoscopy
sigmoidoscopy
cystoscopy
laparoscopy
12. During a surgical procedure, if the drapes are found to be misaligned after
placement, what should the surgical technologist do?
Readjust the drapes immediately to correct the alignment.
Notify the surgical team and avoid touching the drapes to maintain
sterility.
Use a non-sterile instrument to adjust the drapes safely.
Leave the drapes as they are to avoid disrupting the procedure.
13. The large opening in the base of the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes through is called the
foramen oval
foramen rotundum
external occipital protuberance
foramen magnum
14. Identify the hospital patient who is most at risk for a nosocomial infection:
an 87 year old woman who is admitted for a broken hip and
malnutrition
a 6 year old girl admitted for a 24 hour stay for removal of the tonsils
Answers 100% Guarantee Pass 2026
1. In a scenario where a patient has a pneumothorax, what would be the
expected intervention involving chest tubes?
Apply a bandage to eliminate chest leaks.
Administer medication to prevent pulmonary emboli.
Use a chest tube to irrigate the pleural space with saline.
Insert a chest tube to re-establish negative pressure in the pleural
cavity.
2. Which of the following is a local nonspecific defensive response to tissue
damage?
antibody production
fever
inflammation
interferon
3. Describe the rationale behind the specific skin preparation area for a right
mastectomy with possible axillary dissection.
The skin preparation area focuses only on the chest to prevent
contamination from the upper body.
The skin preparation area is irrelevant to the surgical procedure being
performed.
The skin preparation area is limited to the arm to reduce patient
discomfort.
, The skin preparation area includes the shoulder, upper arm, axilla,
and chest to ensure a sterile field and minimize infection risk during
surgery.
4. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting a
suture?
tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
avoiding the knot
opening the scissors wide when cutting
using sharp scissors
5. Describe the primary purpose of a retractor in surgical procedures.
A retractor is used to measure the depth of incisions.
A retractor is used to suture wounds after surgery.
A retractor is used to cut tissues during surgery.
A retractor is used to hold back tissues to provide better visibility
and access to the surgical site.
6. Mannitol is used in neurosurgical procedures to
reduce intracranial pressure
anesthetize the operative site
fight possible post-operative infection
prevent bleeding
7. Which of the following is used to stabilize a fractured finger?
Hagie pins
, Rush rods
Kirschner wires
Knowles pins
8. What is the main action of a local anesthetic during a surgical procedure?
Stimulate nerve endings
Enhance patient awareness
Block peripheral nerve receptors
Increase blood flow to the area
9. When placing a patient in the lateral position, what device could be used?
Bean Bag
No device just extra pillows
Splint
Fracture table
10. During a preoperative assessment, a patient is found to have significant
cardiovascular issues. How should this information influence the choice of
anesthetic agent?
It indicates that general anesthesia is the only option.
It should lead to the selection of a safer anesthetic agent that
minimizes cardiovascular risks.
It suggests that a longer-acting anesthetic should be used.
It should have no effect on the anesthetic choice.
, 11. Which procedure is performed to examine the lower part of the colon
before a hemorrhoidectomy?
culdoscopy
sigmoidoscopy
cystoscopy
laparoscopy
12. During a surgical procedure, if the drapes are found to be misaligned after
placement, what should the surgical technologist do?
Readjust the drapes immediately to correct the alignment.
Notify the surgical team and avoid touching the drapes to maintain
sterility.
Use a non-sterile instrument to adjust the drapes safely.
Leave the drapes as they are to avoid disrupting the procedure.
13. The large opening in the base of the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes through is called the
foramen oval
foramen rotundum
external occipital protuberance
foramen magnum
14. Identify the hospital patient who is most at risk for a nosocomial infection:
an 87 year old woman who is admitted for a broken hip and
malnutrition
a 6 year old girl admitted for a 24 hour stay for removal of the tonsils
