NCCT SURGICAL TECH (TS-C) EXAM
2026- Complete Practice Questions
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Acing your national board credentialing is simple with this comprehensive
2026 study guide for the NCCT Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C)
examination. This targeted resource delivers high-yield multiple-choice
questions matching the National Center for Competency Testing blueprint,
including detailed rationales for sterile processing, intraoperative
instrumentation, and surgical pharmacology. Master critical case-
management setups and patient-safety protocols to secure your
certification on the first attempt.
1. When preparing the room for a total knee arthroplasty, which item
is necessary to occlude blood flow during the surgical procedure?
A. Coban
B. Stockinette
C. Tourniquet
D. Esmark
Answer: C
Rationale: A tourniquet is essential for total knee arthroplasty to occlude
blood flow and create a bloodless surgical field. It is applied to the upper
thigh and inflated to a specific pressure to minimize bleeding during bone
cuts and implant placement. The Esmark is used for exsanguination before
tourniquet inflation .
,2. The surgeon is starting an exploratory laparotomy on an elderly
female patient with a large rotund abdomen. Which supplies should
the surgical technologist have available?
A. Laparoscopic instruments and a Bookwalter retractor
B. Bowel instrumentation and a Bookwalter retractor
C. Laparoscopic instruments and a Balfour retractor
D. Bowel instrumentation and a Balfour retractor
Answer: B
Rationale: An exploratory laparotomy on a large patient requires bowel
instrumentation for potential intestinal work and a Bookwalter retractor,
which provides superior exposure for deep abdominal procedures in patients
with large abdominal girth. The Balfour retractor may not provide adequate
depth of retraction .
3. In an appendectomy where the patient is morbidly obese, which
self-retaining retractor is most appropriate?
A. O'Sullivan-O'Connor
B. Balfour
C. Weitlaner
D. Gelpi
Answer: B
Rationale: The Balfour retractor is the self-retaining retractor of choice for
morbidly obese patients undergoing appendectomy because it provides wide,
deep exposure through a smaller incision. Its blades can be adjusted to
accommodate the thick abdominal wall .
,4. When performing pediatric surgery, the temperature of the room
must be adjusted before the patient enters. Which is correct?
A. 30 minutes prior and between 75.6–78.8°F
B. 1 hour prior and between 75.6–78.8°F
C. 30 minutes prior and between 78.8–80.6°F
D. 1 hour prior and between 78.8–80.6°F
Answer: C
Rationale: For pediatric surgery, the room temperature should be increased
30 minutes prior to the patient's arrival and maintained between 78.8–80.6°F.
Children have a larger body surface area to mass ratio and immature
thermoregulation, making them highly susceptible to hypothermia .
5. Which irrigation will the surgeon need during an AV graft
anastomosis?
A. Antibiotic saline
B. Heparin saline
C. Sterile water
D. Normal saline
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparinized saline is used during vascular anastomosis to prevent
clotting at the suture line and maintain patency of the graft. The heparin
prevents platelet aggregation and thrombus formation during the critical
anastomosis period .
6. The surgical technologist is told to inspect the minor procedure
rooms for basic furniture. How many suction systems are required in
each room?
, A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B
Rationale: According to basic OR standards, each room requires a minimum
of two suction systems. This provides a backup if one fails and allows
simultaneous suctioning during procedures requiring multiple suction lines .
7. What type of medication is applied to tissue to differentiate
between normal and abnormal cells?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Methylene blue
C. Silver nitrate
D. Acetic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Lugol's solution is used to differentiate between normal and
abnormal cells during procedures such as colposcopy and cold conization.
Normal cells contain glycogen and stain dark brown, while abnormal cells do
not take up the stain .
8. How are the working tips of an MIS instrument pointed when
passing?
A. Upward toward the ceiling
B. Downward toward the floor
C. Toward the surgeon
D. Away from the surgeon
2026- Complete Practice Questions
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Acing your national board credentialing is simple with this comprehensive
2026 study guide for the NCCT Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C)
examination. This targeted resource delivers high-yield multiple-choice
questions matching the National Center for Competency Testing blueprint,
including detailed rationales for sterile processing, intraoperative
instrumentation, and surgical pharmacology. Master critical case-
management setups and patient-safety protocols to secure your
certification on the first attempt.
1. When preparing the room for a total knee arthroplasty, which item
is necessary to occlude blood flow during the surgical procedure?
A. Coban
B. Stockinette
C. Tourniquet
D. Esmark
Answer: C
Rationale: A tourniquet is essential for total knee arthroplasty to occlude
blood flow and create a bloodless surgical field. It is applied to the upper
thigh and inflated to a specific pressure to minimize bleeding during bone
cuts and implant placement. The Esmark is used for exsanguination before
tourniquet inflation .
,2. The surgeon is starting an exploratory laparotomy on an elderly
female patient with a large rotund abdomen. Which supplies should
the surgical technologist have available?
A. Laparoscopic instruments and a Bookwalter retractor
B. Bowel instrumentation and a Bookwalter retractor
C. Laparoscopic instruments and a Balfour retractor
D. Bowel instrumentation and a Balfour retractor
Answer: B
Rationale: An exploratory laparotomy on a large patient requires bowel
instrumentation for potential intestinal work and a Bookwalter retractor,
which provides superior exposure for deep abdominal procedures in patients
with large abdominal girth. The Balfour retractor may not provide adequate
depth of retraction .
3. In an appendectomy where the patient is morbidly obese, which
self-retaining retractor is most appropriate?
A. O'Sullivan-O'Connor
B. Balfour
C. Weitlaner
D. Gelpi
Answer: B
Rationale: The Balfour retractor is the self-retaining retractor of choice for
morbidly obese patients undergoing appendectomy because it provides wide,
deep exposure through a smaller incision. Its blades can be adjusted to
accommodate the thick abdominal wall .
,4. When performing pediatric surgery, the temperature of the room
must be adjusted before the patient enters. Which is correct?
A. 30 minutes prior and between 75.6–78.8°F
B. 1 hour prior and between 75.6–78.8°F
C. 30 minutes prior and between 78.8–80.6°F
D. 1 hour prior and between 78.8–80.6°F
Answer: C
Rationale: For pediatric surgery, the room temperature should be increased
30 minutes prior to the patient's arrival and maintained between 78.8–80.6°F.
Children have a larger body surface area to mass ratio and immature
thermoregulation, making them highly susceptible to hypothermia .
5. Which irrigation will the surgeon need during an AV graft
anastomosis?
A. Antibiotic saline
B. Heparin saline
C. Sterile water
D. Normal saline
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparinized saline is used during vascular anastomosis to prevent
clotting at the suture line and maintain patency of the graft. The heparin
prevents platelet aggregation and thrombus formation during the critical
anastomosis period .
6. The surgical technologist is told to inspect the minor procedure
rooms for basic furniture. How many suction systems are required in
each room?
, A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B
Rationale: According to basic OR standards, each room requires a minimum
of two suction systems. This provides a backup if one fails and allows
simultaneous suctioning during procedures requiring multiple suction lines .
7. What type of medication is applied to tissue to differentiate
between normal and abnormal cells?
A. Lugol's solution
B. Methylene blue
C. Silver nitrate
D. Acetic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Lugol's solution is used to differentiate between normal and
abnormal cells during procedures such as colposcopy and cold conization.
Normal cells contain glycogen and stain dark brown, while abnormal cells do
not take up the stain .
8. How are the working tips of an MIS instrument pointed when
passing?
A. Upward toward the ceiling
B. Downward toward the floor
C. Toward the surgeon
D. Away from the surgeon
