NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist
(CST) Practice Exam B | Comprehensive
CST Practice Exam with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update - Graded A+
Question 1
A surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for the dressing following a
TAH. The patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site. The surgeon has
left the room. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take?
A. Place a pressure dressing
B. Cover with Dermabond
C. Steri-Strip the incision
D. Have the surgeon return
Answer: D
Rationale: If a hematoma develops at the incision site, the surgeon must be
notified and return to evaluate and manage the complication. Placing a pressure
dressing (A), Dermabond (B), or Steri-Strips (C) without the surgeon is
inappropriate and could mask the problem.
Question 2
Which of the following is a sign of cardiac arrest?
A. Edema
B. Convulsion
C. Cyanosis
D. Hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) is a sign of cardiac arrest
due to lack of oxygenated blood flow. Edema (A) is swelling. Convulsion (B) is a
seizure. Hypertension (D) is high blood pressure, not a sign of cardiac arrest.
pg. 1
,Question 3
The number of Staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by:
A. wearing a surgical cap
B. wearing hospital scrubs
C. keeping the OR doors closed
D. a thorough surgical hand scrub
Answer: D
Rationale: A thorough surgical hand scrub drastically reduces the number of
microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, on the hands and forearms.
Wearing a cap (A) and scrubs (B) are important but do not directly reduce hand
flora. Keeping doors closed (C) reduces environmental contamination.
Question 4
List in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an IV
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
A. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
B. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
C. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
D. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for general anesthesia induction is: (1)
leads placed on the patient for monitoring, (3) patient preoxygenated with
100% oxygen, (2) induction agent given through IV, (4) patient intubated,
and (5) anesthetic gas agent selected and applied. This sequence ensures
patient safety and proper airway management.
pg. 2
,Question 5
Place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order
from first to last:
I. proliferation
II. remodeling
III. inflammatory
A. I, II, III
B. II, I, III
C. III, I, II
D. III, II, I
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct order of wound healing phases by first intention is: (III)
inflammatory phase, (I) proliferation phase, and (II) remodeling phase. The
inflammatory phase occurs immediately after injury, followed by proliferation
(granulation tissue formation), and finally remodeling (scar maturation).
Question 6
A surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the
surgeon's preference card. The surgeon states he would like additional sutures and
his preference card is outdated. Which of the following is the surgical
technologist's BEST course of action?
A. Open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just
in case the surgeon needs them.
B. Return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the
case.
C. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and
proceed accordingly.
D. Update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been
requested for this case.
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgical technologist should ask the surgeon if the preference card
should be updated and proceed accordingly. This ensures the surgeon's current
preferences are met and the card is updated for future cases. Opening all sutures
(A) wastes supplies. Returning sutures (B) without confirming is premature.
Updating without surgeon input (D) is inappropriate.
pg. 3
, Question 7
While being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. The surgical technologist should:
A. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments
B. explain the action of the anesthetic agent
C. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe
D. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns
Answer: D
Rationale: The anesthesia care provider should address the patient's concerns
about anesthesia, as they are the expert in anesthetic management and can provide
accurate information and reassurance. The surgical technologist should not
disregard (A), explain (B), or reassure (C) beyond their scope of practice.
Question 8
When preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of
sterilization were met?
A. external tape
B. biological indicator
C. dynamic air removal
D. internal strip
Answer: B
Rationale: Biological indicators are the most accurate method to ensure all
parameters of ethylene oxide sterilization were met. External tape (A) and internal
strips (D) are chemical indicators that show exposure but do not confirm
sterilization. Dynamic air removal (C) is a steam sterilization process.
Question 9
Which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-
Luc procedure?
A. Kerrison
B. pituitary
C. Takahashi
D. Blakesley
pg. 4
(CST) Practice Exam B | Comprehensive
CST Practice Exam with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update - Graded A+
Question 1
A surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for the dressing following a
TAH. The patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site. The surgeon has
left the room. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take?
A. Place a pressure dressing
B. Cover with Dermabond
C. Steri-Strip the incision
D. Have the surgeon return
Answer: D
Rationale: If a hematoma develops at the incision site, the surgeon must be
notified and return to evaluate and manage the complication. Placing a pressure
dressing (A), Dermabond (B), or Steri-Strips (C) without the surgeon is
inappropriate and could mask the problem.
Question 2
Which of the following is a sign of cardiac arrest?
A. Edema
B. Convulsion
C. Cyanosis
D. Hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) is a sign of cardiac arrest
due to lack of oxygenated blood flow. Edema (A) is swelling. Convulsion (B) is a
seizure. Hypertension (D) is high blood pressure, not a sign of cardiac arrest.
pg. 1
,Question 3
The number of Staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by:
A. wearing a surgical cap
B. wearing hospital scrubs
C. keeping the OR doors closed
D. a thorough surgical hand scrub
Answer: D
Rationale: A thorough surgical hand scrub drastically reduces the number of
microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, on the hands and forearms.
Wearing a cap (A) and scrubs (B) are important but do not directly reduce hand
flora. Keeping doors closed (C) reduces environmental contamination.
Question 4
List in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an IV
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
A. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
B. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
C. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
D. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for general anesthesia induction is: (1)
leads placed on the patient for monitoring, (3) patient preoxygenated with
100% oxygen, (2) induction agent given through IV, (4) patient intubated,
and (5) anesthetic gas agent selected and applied. This sequence ensures
patient safety and proper airway management.
pg. 2
,Question 5
Place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order
from first to last:
I. proliferation
II. remodeling
III. inflammatory
A. I, II, III
B. II, I, III
C. III, I, II
D. III, II, I
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct order of wound healing phases by first intention is: (III)
inflammatory phase, (I) proliferation phase, and (II) remodeling phase. The
inflammatory phase occurs immediately after injury, followed by proliferation
(granulation tissue formation), and finally remodeling (scar maturation).
Question 6
A surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the
surgeon's preference card. The surgeon states he would like additional sutures and
his preference card is outdated. Which of the following is the surgical
technologist's BEST course of action?
A. Open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just
in case the surgeon needs them.
B. Return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the
case.
C. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and
proceed accordingly.
D. Update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been
requested for this case.
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgical technologist should ask the surgeon if the preference card
should be updated and proceed accordingly. This ensures the surgeon's current
preferences are met and the card is updated for future cases. Opening all sutures
(A) wastes supplies. Returning sutures (B) without confirming is premature.
Updating without surgeon input (D) is inappropriate.
pg. 3
, Question 7
While being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. The surgical technologist should:
A. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments
B. explain the action of the anesthetic agent
C. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe
D. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns
Answer: D
Rationale: The anesthesia care provider should address the patient's concerns
about anesthesia, as they are the expert in anesthetic management and can provide
accurate information and reassurance. The surgical technologist should not
disregard (A), explain (B), or reassure (C) beyond their scope of practice.
Question 8
When preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of
sterilization were met?
A. external tape
B. biological indicator
C. dynamic air removal
D. internal strip
Answer: B
Rationale: Biological indicators are the most accurate method to ensure all
parameters of ethylene oxide sterilization were met. External tape (A) and internal
strips (D) are chemical indicators that show exposure but do not confirm
sterilization. Dynamic air removal (C) is a steam sterilization process.
Question 9
Which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-
Luc procedure?
A. Kerrison
B. pituitary
C. Takahashi
D. Blakesley
pg. 4
