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FULLER: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND
PRACTICE, 7TH EDITION EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
FULLER: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, 7TH EDITION – 250
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONALISM, COMMUNICATION, LAW & ETHICS (Questions 1-
50)
1. The Joint Commission defines a "sentinel event" as:
A) A routine surgical procedure with no complications
B) An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury
C) A minor medication error that was corrected
D) A patient complaint about hospital food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sentinel event is defined by The Joint Commission as "any unexpected
occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury or the risk
thereof" to the patient . These events require immediate investigation and response to
prevent recurrence.
2. A "living will" is best described as:
A) A will that takes effect while the person is still living
B) An advance directive specifying a patient's end-of-life wishes
C) A standard surgical consent form
D) An insurance document for hospital stays
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: A living will documents a patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment
if they become incapacitated . It is a type of advance directive that guides healthcare
providers when the patient cannot express their own wishes.
3. If a patient is mentally incompetent or incapacitated, who is authorized to sign
the informed surgical consent?
A) The patient's anesthesiologist
B) The attending surgeon
C) A responsible guardian, agency representative, or court representative
D) The patient's closest friend
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient is not mentally competent or is incapacitated, a responsible
guardian, agency representative, or court representative is authorized to sign the
informed consent . This ensures the patient's rights and best interests are protected.
4. A patient in the "bargaining" stage of grief is most likely to state:
A) "I don't believe this is happening to me."
B) "Why did this have to happen to me?"
C) "Just let me live to see my daughter finish school."
D) "I accept what is happening."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "bargaining" stage of grief involves attempts to negotiate for more time
or a different outcome . Statements like "Just let me live to see my daughter finish
school" reflect this stage of the grieving process.
5. If a surgical technologist makes an error during a procedure, the appropriate
action is to:
A) Hide the error to avoid blame
B) Immediately report to the circulator and surgeon
C) Blame another team member
D) Leave the room without telling anyone
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Prompt disclosure of errors allows for immediate correction and protects
patient safety . Hiding errors is unethical and violates professional standards of
practice.
6. The surgical count sheet should be:
A) Completed from memory after the case
B) Updated in real time during the procedure
C) Destroyed after each case
D) Completed only by the surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The count sheet must be updated in real time during the procedure to
ensure accuracy and prevent retained objects . This is a critical patient safety practice.
7. Which professional is responsible for the overall management of the surgical
suite?
A) The scrub technologist
B) The OR manager/director
C) The anesthesiologist
D) The surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The OR manager/director oversees staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and
regulatory compliance of the surgical suite . This role ensures the efficient and safe
operation of the surgical environment.
8. Documentation and professional ethics in surgical technology require the
surgical technologist to:
A) Document only what the surgeon says
B) Maintain accurate records of all procedures and patient information
C) Share patient information freely with anyone
D) Document procedures only at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical technologists must maintain accurate, timely, and confidential
documentation of all procedures and patient information. This supports continuity of
care, legal compliance, and professional standards.
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9. Effective communication and teamwork in the OR require that team members:
A) Work independently without sharing information
B) Use clear, concise language and active listening
C) Only speak when directly addressed by the surgeon
D) Avoid asking questions during procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective communication and teamwork in the OR require clear, concise
language, active listening, and mutual respect among team members. This promotes
patient safety and efficient surgical care.
10. The professional role of the surgical technologist includes:
A) Only passing instruments to the surgeon
B) Maintaining the sterile field, anticipating needs, and ensuring patient safety
C) Making surgical incisions
D) Administering anesthesia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist's professional role includes maintaining the sterile
field, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and ensuring patient safety
throughout the procedure .
11. In the OR, the "semi-restricted zone" includes:
A) The public waiting area
B) The operating room itself
C) Areas where scrub attire and hair coverings are required
D) The locker rooms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The semi-restricted zone requires scrub attire and hair coverings but does
not require the full sterile attire used in the operating room itself.
12. In the semi-restricted zone, which of the following is NOT appropriate attire?
A) Surgical cap covering all hair
B) Scrub suit
FULLER: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND
PRACTICE, 7TH EDITION EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
FULLER: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, 7TH EDITION – 250
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONALISM, COMMUNICATION, LAW & ETHICS (Questions 1-
50)
1. The Joint Commission defines a "sentinel event" as:
A) A routine surgical procedure with no complications
B) An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury
C) A minor medication error that was corrected
D) A patient complaint about hospital food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sentinel event is defined by The Joint Commission as "any unexpected
occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury or the risk
thereof" to the patient . These events require immediate investigation and response to
prevent recurrence.
2. A "living will" is best described as:
A) A will that takes effect while the person is still living
B) An advance directive specifying a patient's end-of-life wishes
C) A standard surgical consent form
D) An insurance document for hospital stays
Correct Answer: B
, Page 2 of 74
Rationale: A living will documents a patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment
if they become incapacitated . It is a type of advance directive that guides healthcare
providers when the patient cannot express their own wishes.
3. If a patient is mentally incompetent or incapacitated, who is authorized to sign
the informed surgical consent?
A) The patient's anesthesiologist
B) The attending surgeon
C) A responsible guardian, agency representative, or court representative
D) The patient's closest friend
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient is not mentally competent or is incapacitated, a responsible
guardian, agency representative, or court representative is authorized to sign the
informed consent . This ensures the patient's rights and best interests are protected.
4. A patient in the "bargaining" stage of grief is most likely to state:
A) "I don't believe this is happening to me."
B) "Why did this have to happen to me?"
C) "Just let me live to see my daughter finish school."
D) "I accept what is happening."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "bargaining" stage of grief involves attempts to negotiate for more time
or a different outcome . Statements like "Just let me live to see my daughter finish
school" reflect this stage of the grieving process.
5. If a surgical technologist makes an error during a procedure, the appropriate
action is to:
A) Hide the error to avoid blame
B) Immediately report to the circulator and surgeon
C) Blame another team member
D) Leave the room without telling anyone
Correct Answer: B
, Page 3 of 74
Rationale: Prompt disclosure of errors allows for immediate correction and protects
patient safety . Hiding errors is unethical and violates professional standards of
practice.
6. The surgical count sheet should be:
A) Completed from memory after the case
B) Updated in real time during the procedure
C) Destroyed after each case
D) Completed only by the surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The count sheet must be updated in real time during the procedure to
ensure accuracy and prevent retained objects . This is a critical patient safety practice.
7. Which professional is responsible for the overall management of the surgical
suite?
A) The scrub technologist
B) The OR manager/director
C) The anesthesiologist
D) The surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The OR manager/director oversees staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and
regulatory compliance of the surgical suite . This role ensures the efficient and safe
operation of the surgical environment.
8. Documentation and professional ethics in surgical technology require the
surgical technologist to:
A) Document only what the surgeon says
B) Maintain accurate records of all procedures and patient information
C) Share patient information freely with anyone
D) Document procedures only at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical technologists must maintain accurate, timely, and confidential
documentation of all procedures and patient information. This supports continuity of
care, legal compliance, and professional standards.
, Page 4 of 74
9. Effective communication and teamwork in the OR require that team members:
A) Work independently without sharing information
B) Use clear, concise language and active listening
C) Only speak when directly addressed by the surgeon
D) Avoid asking questions during procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective communication and teamwork in the OR require clear, concise
language, active listening, and mutual respect among team members. This promotes
patient safety and efficient surgical care.
10. The professional role of the surgical technologist includes:
A) Only passing instruments to the surgeon
B) Maintaining the sterile field, anticipating needs, and ensuring patient safety
C) Making surgical incisions
D) Administering anesthesia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist's professional role includes maintaining the sterile
field, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and ensuring patient safety
throughout the procedure .
11. In the OR, the "semi-restricted zone" includes:
A) The public waiting area
B) The operating room itself
C) Areas where scrub attire and hair coverings are required
D) The locker rooms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The semi-restricted zone requires scrub attire and hair coverings but does
not require the full sterile attire used in the operating room itself.
12. In the semi-restricted zone, which of the following is NOT appropriate attire?
A) Surgical cap covering all hair
B) Scrub suit
