1
NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) EXAM |
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST 2025/2026 VERSION B
| 100% PASS GUARANTEED | GRADED A+
1. To revascularize the heart muscle, a graft may be anastomosed between which of the
following vessels?
A. Aorta and coronary artery
B. Aorta and superior vena cava
C. Carotid artery and pulmonary vein
D. Pulmonary artery and coronary artery
☑ Correct Answer: A
☑ Explanation: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) involves anastomosing a
graft vessel between the aorta and a coronary artery distal to the blockage to
revascularize the heart muscle. The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to
the heart, the carotid artery supplies the brain, and the pulmonary artery carries
deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
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2. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Foramen magnum
C. Foramen rotundum
D. Foramen of Bochdalek
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone
through which the spinal cord connects to the brainstem. The foramen ovale and
rotundum are in the sphenoid bone. The foramen of Bochdalek is a congenital defect in
the diaphragm.
3. When performing a urinary bladder catheterization, it is ESSENTIAL that the circulator:
A. Shave the pubis
B. Keep the catheter tip sterile
C. Inflate the balloon in the urethra
D. Use the largest catheter available
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☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: Maintaining the sterility of the catheter tip is essential to prevent
introducing infection into the urinary tract. Shaving is not routinely performed. The
balloon must be inflated in the bladder, not the urethra. The smallest appropriate
catheter should be used.
4. Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to:
A. Ligate the duct
B. Close the duct
C. Hold the duct open
D. Keep the stones in
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: Traction sutures are placed on the common duct during exploration
to hold the duct open, providing better visualization and access for the surgeon to
remove stones or perform other procedures. They do not ligate, close, or retain stones.
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5. In which of the following prostatic approaches is a resectoscope used?
A. Perineal
B. Suprapubic
C. Retropubic
D. Transurethral
☑ Correct Answer: D
☑ Explanation: A resectoscope is used in transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP), where the instrument is passed through the urethra to remove prostatic tissue.
The perineal, suprapubic, and retropubic approaches are open surgical procedures.
6. Heaney clamps are used MOST frequently on a:
A. Hysterectomy
B. Lobectomy
C. Cystectomy
D. Gastrectomy
☑ Correct Answer: A
NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) EXAM |
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST 2025/2026 VERSION B
| 100% PASS GUARANTEED | GRADED A+
1. To revascularize the heart muscle, a graft may be anastomosed between which of the
following vessels?
A. Aorta and coronary artery
B. Aorta and superior vena cava
C. Carotid artery and pulmonary vein
D. Pulmonary artery and coronary artery
☑ Correct Answer: A
☑ Explanation: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) involves anastomosing a
graft vessel between the aorta and a coronary artery distal to the blockage to
revascularize the heart muscle. The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to
the heart, the carotid artery supplies the brain, and the pulmonary artery carries
deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
,2
2. Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal
cord passes?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Foramen magnum
C. Foramen rotundum
D. Foramen of Bochdalek
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone
through which the spinal cord connects to the brainstem. The foramen ovale and
rotundum are in the sphenoid bone. The foramen of Bochdalek is a congenital defect in
the diaphragm.
3. When performing a urinary bladder catheterization, it is ESSENTIAL that the circulator:
A. Shave the pubis
B. Keep the catheter tip sterile
C. Inflate the balloon in the urethra
D. Use the largest catheter available
,3
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: Maintaining the sterility of the catheter tip is essential to prevent
introducing infection into the urinary tract. Shaving is not routinely performed. The
balloon must be inflated in the bladder, not the urethra. The smallest appropriate
catheter should be used.
4. Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to:
A. Ligate the duct
B. Close the duct
C. Hold the duct open
D. Keep the stones in
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: Traction sutures are placed on the common duct during exploration
to hold the duct open, providing better visualization and access for the surgeon to
remove stones or perform other procedures. They do not ligate, close, or retain stones.
, 4
5. In which of the following prostatic approaches is a resectoscope used?
A. Perineal
B. Suprapubic
C. Retropubic
D. Transurethral
☑ Correct Answer: D
☑ Explanation: A resectoscope is used in transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP), where the instrument is passed through the urethra to remove prostatic tissue.
The perineal, suprapubic, and retropubic approaches are open surgical procedures.
6. Heaney clamps are used MOST frequently on a:
A. Hysterectomy
B. Lobectomy
C. Cystectomy
D. Gastrectomy
☑ Correct Answer: A
