CST EXAM ACTUAL EXAM VERSIONS (VERSION A AND B) COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS) /ALREADY GRADED A+
Course
CST
1. Which principle is essential when establishing a sterile field?
A. The outer 1 inch of a sterile package is considered sterile
B. Sterile items may be placed below waist level
C. Sterile items must remain above waist level and within view
D. Sterile personnel may turn their backs on the sterile field
Answer: C
Rationale: Sterile fields must remain in the visual field and above the waist. Items below waist
level or outside direct observation are considered contaminated.
2. Which microorganism is classified as a spore-forming bacterium?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Clostridium species
D. Neisseria species
Answer: C
Rationale: Clostridium species form highly resistant endospores. Spores are particularly
important in sterilization because they are more resistant to environmental conditions than
vegetative organisms.
3. What is the primary purpose of surgical hand antisepsis?
A. Remove every microorganism permanently
B. Reduce transient microorganisms and suppress resident flora
C. Sterilize the hands completely
D. Replace the need for sterile gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis reduces transient microorganisms and substantially reduces
resident microbial flora before sterile gowning and gloving.
,4. Which item is required when preparing a patient for a procedure involving electrosurgery?
A. Appropriate dispersive electrode when required by the electrosurgical system
B. Metal jewelry left in place
C. Wet skin beneath the dispersive pad
D. An unapproved grounding location
Answer: A
Rationale: Appropriate patient-contact equipment and correct placement are essential for safe
electrosurgery and prevention of thermal injury.
5. Which instrument is primarily used for grasping delicate tissue?
A. DeBakey forceps
B. Rongeur
C. Osteotome
D. Curette
Answer: A
Rationale: DeBakey forceps are atraumatic grasping instruments commonly used when handling
delicate vascular or soft tissue.
6. Which instrument is commonly used to clamp blood vessels?
A. Vascular clamp
B. Skin hook
C. Bone curette
D. Suction tip
Answer: A
Rationale: Vascular clamps are designed to temporarily occlude blood vessels while minimizing
tissue trauma.
7. What is the purpose of a specimen label?
,A. Identify the specimen accurately and maintain traceability
B. Replace documentation
C. Indicate the surgeon's preference
D. Determine the patient's postoperative diet
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct specimen identification is a critical patient-safety responsibility. Errors can
result in incorrect diagnosis or treatment.
8. A specimen is removed from the operative field. What should the CST do?
A. Follow the facility's specimen-handling and labeling procedure
B. Place it on any available surface
C. Discard it if the specimen appears small
D. Label it later from memory
Answer: A
Rationale: Specimen handling must follow institutional policy to maintain identification,
integrity, and chain of custody.
9. Which position is commonly used for procedures involving the posterior thorax?
A. Prone
B. Supine
C. Lithotomy
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: A
Rationale: Prone positioning provides access to the posterior surface of the body, including
much of the posterior thorax and spine.
10. Which complication is associated with prolonged lithotomy positioning?
A. Peroneal nerve injury
B. Increased visual acuity
C. Improved circulation to the lower extremities
D. Reduced pressure injury risk
, Answer: A
Rationale: Prolonged or improper lithotomy positioning can place pressure on the peroneal
nerve and contribute to nerve injury.
11. What is the purpose of surgical counts?
A. Prevent retained surgical items
B. Determine blood type
C. Calculate estimated blood loss
D. Replace specimen documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: Counts of instruments, sharps, and soft goods are performed to reduce the risk of
retained foreign objects.
12. A count is incorrect before closure. What is the appropriate action?
A. Immediately notify the responsible surgical team and follow the facility's discrepancy
procedure
B. Ignore the discrepancy
C. Assume the missing item is outside the room
D. Continue without documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: A count discrepancy requires immediate communication and systematic searching
according to institutional policy.
13. Which suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Polypropylene
C. Polydioxanone
D. Stainless steel
Answer: C
Rationale: Polydioxanone (PDS) is a synthetic absorbable monofilament suture.
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS) /ALREADY GRADED A+
Course
CST
1. Which principle is essential when establishing a sterile field?
A. The outer 1 inch of a sterile package is considered sterile
B. Sterile items may be placed below waist level
C. Sterile items must remain above waist level and within view
D. Sterile personnel may turn their backs on the sterile field
Answer: C
Rationale: Sterile fields must remain in the visual field and above the waist. Items below waist
level or outside direct observation are considered contaminated.
2. Which microorganism is classified as a spore-forming bacterium?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Clostridium species
D. Neisseria species
Answer: C
Rationale: Clostridium species form highly resistant endospores. Spores are particularly
important in sterilization because they are more resistant to environmental conditions than
vegetative organisms.
3. What is the primary purpose of surgical hand antisepsis?
A. Remove every microorganism permanently
B. Reduce transient microorganisms and suppress resident flora
C. Sterilize the hands completely
D. Replace the need for sterile gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis reduces transient microorganisms and substantially reduces
resident microbial flora before sterile gowning and gloving.
,4. Which item is required when preparing a patient for a procedure involving electrosurgery?
A. Appropriate dispersive electrode when required by the electrosurgical system
B. Metal jewelry left in place
C. Wet skin beneath the dispersive pad
D. An unapproved grounding location
Answer: A
Rationale: Appropriate patient-contact equipment and correct placement are essential for safe
electrosurgery and prevention of thermal injury.
5. Which instrument is primarily used for grasping delicate tissue?
A. DeBakey forceps
B. Rongeur
C. Osteotome
D. Curette
Answer: A
Rationale: DeBakey forceps are atraumatic grasping instruments commonly used when handling
delicate vascular or soft tissue.
6. Which instrument is commonly used to clamp blood vessels?
A. Vascular clamp
B. Skin hook
C. Bone curette
D. Suction tip
Answer: A
Rationale: Vascular clamps are designed to temporarily occlude blood vessels while minimizing
tissue trauma.
7. What is the purpose of a specimen label?
,A. Identify the specimen accurately and maintain traceability
B. Replace documentation
C. Indicate the surgeon's preference
D. Determine the patient's postoperative diet
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct specimen identification is a critical patient-safety responsibility. Errors can
result in incorrect diagnosis or treatment.
8. A specimen is removed from the operative field. What should the CST do?
A. Follow the facility's specimen-handling and labeling procedure
B. Place it on any available surface
C. Discard it if the specimen appears small
D. Label it later from memory
Answer: A
Rationale: Specimen handling must follow institutional policy to maintain identification,
integrity, and chain of custody.
9. Which position is commonly used for procedures involving the posterior thorax?
A. Prone
B. Supine
C. Lithotomy
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: A
Rationale: Prone positioning provides access to the posterior surface of the body, including
much of the posterior thorax and spine.
10. Which complication is associated with prolonged lithotomy positioning?
A. Peroneal nerve injury
B. Increased visual acuity
C. Improved circulation to the lower extremities
D. Reduced pressure injury risk
, Answer: A
Rationale: Prolonged or improper lithotomy positioning can place pressure on the peroneal
nerve and contribute to nerve injury.
11. What is the purpose of surgical counts?
A. Prevent retained surgical items
B. Determine blood type
C. Calculate estimated blood loss
D. Replace specimen documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: Counts of instruments, sharps, and soft goods are performed to reduce the risk of
retained foreign objects.
12. A count is incorrect before closure. What is the appropriate action?
A. Immediately notify the responsible surgical team and follow the facility's discrepancy
procedure
B. Ignore the discrepancy
C. Assume the missing item is outside the room
D. Continue without documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: A count discrepancy requires immediate communication and systematic searching
according to institutional policy.
13. Which suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Polypropylene
C. Polydioxanone
D. Stainless steel
Answer: C
Rationale: Polydioxanone (PDS) is a synthetic absorbable monofilament suture.
