CST CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
EXAM TEST BANK 3 2026/2027 | Questions
& Verified Answers | NBSTSA Certification
Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. What is the primary purpose of the surgical time-out?
A. Review surgical instruments
B. Verify patient identity and procedure
C. Adjust anesthesia levels
D. Document postoperative care
Answer: B. Verify patient identity and procedure
Explanation: The surgical time-out is part of the Joint Commission's Universal Protocol. Its
primary purpose is to confirm patient identity, the correct procedure, and the correct surgical
site immediately before the incision is made to prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and
wrong-patient errors.
2. Which preoperative test is used to assess kidney function?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Creatinine clearance
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Chest X-ray
Answer: B. Creatinine clearance
Explanation: Creatinine clearance measures the kidneys' ability to filter creatinine from the
blood, providing a critical assessment of renal function before surgery. This helps determine the
patient's ability to metabolize and excrete anesthetic agents and medications.
3. What should the surgical technologist verify on the patient's consent form?
A. Surgeon's credentials
B. Patient's signature and procedure
C. Anesthesia dosage
D. Postoperative instructions
,Answer: B. Patient's signature and procedure
Explanation: Verifying the patient's signature and the procedure described on the consent form
ensures that informed consent has been obtained, which is both a legal and ethical requirement
before proceeding with surgery.
4. What is the correct position for a patient undergoing an appendectomy?
A. Prone
B. Supine
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
Answer: B. Supine
Explanation: The supine position (patient lying face up) provides optimal access to the
abdominal cavity for an appendectomy, ensuring efficient surgical exposure and access to the
right lower quadrant.
5. What is the primary goal of preoperative skin preparation?
A. Enhance wound healing
B. Reduce microbial load
C. Improve anesthesia delivery
D. Mark surgical site
Answer: B. Reduce microbial load
Explanation: Preoperative skin preparation with antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine or
povidone-iodine reduces the microbial load on the skin, significantly minimizing the risk of
surgical site infections.
6. Which medication is commonly given preoperatively to prevent nausea?
A. Ondansetron
B. Morphine
C. Heparin
D. Lidocaine
Answer: A. Ondansetron
,Explanation: Ondansetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist commonly administered
preoperatively to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, which can be caused by
anesthesia and surgical manipulation.
7. What is the purpose of the preoperative checklist?
A. Document patient history
B. Ensure equipment and supply readiness
C. Administer medications
D. Adjust anesthesia levels
Answer: B. Ensure equipment and supply readiness
Explanation: The preoperative checklist confirms that all instruments, supplies, and equipment
are prepared and available for the procedure, helping to prevent delays and errors during
surgery.
8. Which position is used for a lumbar laminectomy?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lithotomy
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. Prone
Explanation: The prone position (patient lying face down) provides access to the posterior
spine for a lumbar laminectomy, allowing the surgeon to approach the vertebral column from
the back.
9. What should be done if a patient has a known latex allergy?
A. Use standard gloves
B. Use latex-free equipment
C. Ignore the allergy
D. Administer antihistamines only
Answer: B. Use latex-free equipment
Explanation: Patients with a known latex allergy require latex-free gloves, drapes, and
equipment to prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. All members of the surgical
team must be notified of the allergy.
, 10. What is the correct sequence for donning sterile attire?
A. Gown, glove, scrub
B. Glove, scrub, gown
C. Scrub, glove, gown
D. Scrub, gown, glove
Answer: D. Scrub, gown, glove
Explanation: The correct sequence for entering the sterile field is: perform the surgical scrub
(hands and forearms), don the sterile gown, and then apply sterile gloves. This sequence
maintains the integrity of the sterile field.
11. The pre-anesthesia checklist should verify all of the following EXCEPT:
A. NPO status
B. Allergies
C. Surgical site marking
D. Surgeon's fee schedule
Answer: D. Surgeon's fee schedule
Explanation: The pre-anesthesia checklist verifies NPO status, allergies, surgical site marking,
consent, and other clinical information. The surgeon's fee schedule is not part of the clinical
safety checklist.
12. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate method for verifying a patient's
identity?
A. Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth
B. Checking the wristband only
C. Asking the patient's family member
D. Checking the chart only
Answer: A. Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth
Explanation: Patient identification should be verified using at least two patient identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth) directly with the patient when possible. Wristbands should also be
checked.
13. The surgical technologist should verify that the patient's consent form includes:
EXAM TEST BANK 3 2026/2027 | Questions
& Verified Answers | NBSTSA Certification
Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. What is the primary purpose of the surgical time-out?
A. Review surgical instruments
B. Verify patient identity and procedure
C. Adjust anesthesia levels
D. Document postoperative care
Answer: B. Verify patient identity and procedure
Explanation: The surgical time-out is part of the Joint Commission's Universal Protocol. Its
primary purpose is to confirm patient identity, the correct procedure, and the correct surgical
site immediately before the incision is made to prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and
wrong-patient errors.
2. Which preoperative test is used to assess kidney function?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Creatinine clearance
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Chest X-ray
Answer: B. Creatinine clearance
Explanation: Creatinine clearance measures the kidneys' ability to filter creatinine from the
blood, providing a critical assessment of renal function before surgery. This helps determine the
patient's ability to metabolize and excrete anesthetic agents and medications.
3. What should the surgical technologist verify on the patient's consent form?
A. Surgeon's credentials
B. Patient's signature and procedure
C. Anesthesia dosage
D. Postoperative instructions
,Answer: B. Patient's signature and procedure
Explanation: Verifying the patient's signature and the procedure described on the consent form
ensures that informed consent has been obtained, which is both a legal and ethical requirement
before proceeding with surgery.
4. What is the correct position for a patient undergoing an appendectomy?
A. Prone
B. Supine
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
Answer: B. Supine
Explanation: The supine position (patient lying face up) provides optimal access to the
abdominal cavity for an appendectomy, ensuring efficient surgical exposure and access to the
right lower quadrant.
5. What is the primary goal of preoperative skin preparation?
A. Enhance wound healing
B. Reduce microbial load
C. Improve anesthesia delivery
D. Mark surgical site
Answer: B. Reduce microbial load
Explanation: Preoperative skin preparation with antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine or
povidone-iodine reduces the microbial load on the skin, significantly minimizing the risk of
surgical site infections.
6. Which medication is commonly given preoperatively to prevent nausea?
A. Ondansetron
B. Morphine
C. Heparin
D. Lidocaine
Answer: A. Ondansetron
,Explanation: Ondansetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist commonly administered
preoperatively to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, which can be caused by
anesthesia and surgical manipulation.
7. What is the purpose of the preoperative checklist?
A. Document patient history
B. Ensure equipment and supply readiness
C. Administer medications
D. Adjust anesthesia levels
Answer: B. Ensure equipment and supply readiness
Explanation: The preoperative checklist confirms that all instruments, supplies, and equipment
are prepared and available for the procedure, helping to prevent delays and errors during
surgery.
8. Which position is used for a lumbar laminectomy?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lithotomy
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. Prone
Explanation: The prone position (patient lying face down) provides access to the posterior
spine for a lumbar laminectomy, allowing the surgeon to approach the vertebral column from
the back.
9. What should be done if a patient has a known latex allergy?
A. Use standard gloves
B. Use latex-free equipment
C. Ignore the allergy
D. Administer antihistamines only
Answer: B. Use latex-free equipment
Explanation: Patients with a known latex allergy require latex-free gloves, drapes, and
equipment to prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. All members of the surgical
team must be notified of the allergy.
, 10. What is the correct sequence for donning sterile attire?
A. Gown, glove, scrub
B. Glove, scrub, gown
C. Scrub, glove, gown
D. Scrub, gown, glove
Answer: D. Scrub, gown, glove
Explanation: The correct sequence for entering the sterile field is: perform the surgical scrub
(hands and forearms), don the sterile gown, and then apply sterile gloves. This sequence
maintains the integrity of the sterile field.
11. The pre-anesthesia checklist should verify all of the following EXCEPT:
A. NPO status
B. Allergies
C. Surgical site marking
D. Surgeon's fee schedule
Answer: D. Surgeon's fee schedule
Explanation: The pre-anesthesia checklist verifies NPO status, allergies, surgical site marking,
consent, and other clinical information. The surgeon's fee schedule is not part of the clinical
safety checklist.
12. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate method for verifying a patient's
identity?
A. Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth
B. Checking the wristband only
C. Asking the patient's family member
D. Checking the chart only
Answer: A. Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth
Explanation: Patient identification should be verified using at least two patient identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth) directly with the patient when possible. Wristbands should also be
checked.
13. The surgical technologist should verify that the patient's consent form includes:
