NCCT Scrub exam – surgical technology fsc Questions and well
Detailed Answers 2026/2027 100 % guarantee pass
Question 1
What is the minimum temperature and exposure time for a prevacuum
steam sterilizer at 270°F (132°C)?
A. 1 minute
B. 3 to 4 minutes
C. 15 to 20 minutes
D. 30 to 45 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 3 to 4 minutes
Detailed Rationale: Prevacuum steam sterilizers operate at higher
temperatures and pressures than displacement sterilizers. At 270°F
(132°C), the standard exposure time for wrapped instruments is 3 to 4
minutes, followed by a drying phase.
Question 2
Which instrument is a self-retaining retractor commonly used in
abdominal procedures?
A. Deaver retractor
B. Richardson retractor
C. Balfour retractor
D. Army-Navy retractor
,Correct Answer: C. Balfour retractor
Detailed Rationale: The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining mechanical
retractor used to keep abdominal walls open during major surgeries.
Deaver, Richardson, and Army-Navy retractors are manual/hand-held
retractors.
Question 3
What is the correct term for the surgical removal of a limb or
appendage?
A. Resection
B. Amputation
C. Excision
D. Dissection
Correct Answer: B. Amputation
Detailed Rationale: Amputation refers to the cutting off or surgical
removal of all or part of a limb or appendage. Excision is the cutting out
or removal of a lesion or structure, while resection involves removing a
segment of an organ or structure.
Question 4
Which of the following chemical agents is considered a high-level
disinfectant and sterilant when items are immersed for an extended
period?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Quaternary ammonium compounds
,C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Sodium hypochlorite
Correct Answer: C. Glutaraldehyde
Detailed Rationale: Glutaraldehyde (such as Cidex) is a high-level
disinfectant commonly used for heat-sensitive items. When immersion
times are extended according to manufacturer guidelines, it can achieve
chemical sterilization.
Question 5
During a surgical procedure, what action should the surgical
technologist take if a sterile package is dropped on the floor?
A. Inspect the wrapper for tears; if intact, place it on the back table.
B. Wipe the package with alcohol and use it.
C. Consider the item contaminated and discard it.
D. Open the package immediately to see if the contents are damaged.
Correct Answer: C. Consider the item contaminated and discard it.
Detailed Rationale: According to sterile technique principles, if a sterile
package touches the floor, it is automatically considered contaminated
regardless of wrapper integrity because floors harbor high microbial
loads.
Question 6
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell and is
frequently addressed during anterior skull base surgeries?
A. Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
, B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
D. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Correct Answer: A. Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
Detailed Rationale: Cranial Nerve I is the olfactory nerve, which
transmits sensory information regarding smells to the brain and runs
through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of performing a surgical count?
A. To keep track of hospital inventory costs
B. To prevent retained foreign objects (RFIs) in the patient
C. To audit the surgical technologist's performance
D. To determine how long the procedure took
Correct Answer: B. To prevent retained foreign objects (RFIs) in the
patient
Detailed Rationale: Surgical counts (sponges, sharps, and instruments)
are critical safety protocols performed to ensure that no items are
inadvertently left inside the patient's body cavity.
Question 8
Which suture material is classified as non-absorbable and synthetic?
A. Chromic gut
B. Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
Detailed Answers 2026/2027 100 % guarantee pass
Question 1
What is the minimum temperature and exposure time for a prevacuum
steam sterilizer at 270°F (132°C)?
A. 1 minute
B. 3 to 4 minutes
C. 15 to 20 minutes
D. 30 to 45 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 3 to 4 minutes
Detailed Rationale: Prevacuum steam sterilizers operate at higher
temperatures and pressures than displacement sterilizers. At 270°F
(132°C), the standard exposure time for wrapped instruments is 3 to 4
minutes, followed by a drying phase.
Question 2
Which instrument is a self-retaining retractor commonly used in
abdominal procedures?
A. Deaver retractor
B. Richardson retractor
C. Balfour retractor
D. Army-Navy retractor
,Correct Answer: C. Balfour retractor
Detailed Rationale: The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining mechanical
retractor used to keep abdominal walls open during major surgeries.
Deaver, Richardson, and Army-Navy retractors are manual/hand-held
retractors.
Question 3
What is the correct term for the surgical removal of a limb or
appendage?
A. Resection
B. Amputation
C. Excision
D. Dissection
Correct Answer: B. Amputation
Detailed Rationale: Amputation refers to the cutting off or surgical
removal of all or part of a limb or appendage. Excision is the cutting out
or removal of a lesion or structure, while resection involves removing a
segment of an organ or structure.
Question 4
Which of the following chemical agents is considered a high-level
disinfectant and sterilant when items are immersed for an extended
period?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Quaternary ammonium compounds
,C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Sodium hypochlorite
Correct Answer: C. Glutaraldehyde
Detailed Rationale: Glutaraldehyde (such as Cidex) is a high-level
disinfectant commonly used for heat-sensitive items. When immersion
times are extended according to manufacturer guidelines, it can achieve
chemical sterilization.
Question 5
During a surgical procedure, what action should the surgical
technologist take if a sterile package is dropped on the floor?
A. Inspect the wrapper for tears; if intact, place it on the back table.
B. Wipe the package with alcohol and use it.
C. Consider the item contaminated and discard it.
D. Open the package immediately to see if the contents are damaged.
Correct Answer: C. Consider the item contaminated and discard it.
Detailed Rationale: According to sterile technique principles, if a sterile
package touches the floor, it is automatically considered contaminated
regardless of wrapper integrity because floors harbor high microbial
loads.
Question 6
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell and is
frequently addressed during anterior skull base surgeries?
A. Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
, B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
D. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Correct Answer: A. Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
Detailed Rationale: Cranial Nerve I is the olfactory nerve, which
transmits sensory information regarding smells to the brain and runs
through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of performing a surgical count?
A. To keep track of hospital inventory costs
B. To prevent retained foreign objects (RFIs) in the patient
C. To audit the surgical technologist's performance
D. To determine how long the procedure took
Correct Answer: B. To prevent retained foreign objects (RFIs) in the
patient
Detailed Rationale: Surgical counts (sponges, sharps, and instruments)
are critical safety protocols performed to ensure that no items are
inadvertently left inside the patient's body cavity.
Question 8
Which suture material is classified as non-absorbable and synthetic?
A. Chromic gut
B. Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
