1
NCCT PRACTICE EXAM SURGICAL TECH ACTUAL
2026-27 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS
During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions
should the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an
uncuffed endotracheal tube?
A. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile water and saline to reduce leakage
of oxygen.
B. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile saline and methylene blue to check
for leakage of oxygen.
C. Moisten the head drape around the field prior to start of procedure to
minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
D. Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
- answer-Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions
should the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an
uncuffed endotracheal tube?
A. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile water and saline to reduce leakage
of oxygen.
B. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile saline and methylene blue to check
for leakage of oxygen.
C. Moisten the head drape around the field prior to start of procedure to
minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
D. Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
- answer-Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
During the initial pre-operative count, the surgical technologist and circulator
noticed that there were 11 Raytecs in a package instead of 10. Which of the
following should they do about the extra sponge?
A. Include the extra sponge in the count.
B. Throw out one sponge to make it 10.
,2
C. Discard the entire package into a kick bucket and remove it from count.
D. Remove the package and the sponges from room.
- answer-Remove the package and the sponges from room.
Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a Posterolateral
Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at the surgical
site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken sterility to
help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Apply sterile gloves, then remove and replace the dressing.
B. Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove.
C. Apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops.
D. Transport the patient to PACU with instructions to change
dressings immediately.
- answer-Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re glove.
Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a Posterolateral
Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at the surgical
site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken sterility to
help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Apply sterile gloves, then remove and replace the dressing.
B. Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove.
C. Apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops.
D. Transport the patient to PACU with instructions to change
dressings immediately.
- answer-Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re glove.
If the surgical technologist's request for an initial count is refused by the
circulator due to emergent nature of a procedure, which of the following is the
proper course of action?
Continue with subsequent counts and follow procedure from that point on in the
case.
Do not proceed with the case until the initial count is completed.
Perform the initial count independently, using the count sheet inside the tray.
, 3
Ask a different member of the surgical team to assist in the initial count.
- answer-Continue with subsequent counts and follow procedure from that point
on in the case.
In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to
A. verify elimination of living flora on the package.
B. confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
C. show that no moisture entered the package.
D. ensure that the package is sterile.
- answer-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to
A. verify elimination of living flora on the package.
B. confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
C. show that no moisture entered the package.
D. ensure that the package is sterile.
- answer-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should
anticipate using which of the following sutures?
7-0 prolene
7-0 chromic
7-0 ethibond
7-0 silk
- answer-7-0 prolene
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should
anticipate using which of the following sutures?
A. 7-0 prolene
B. 7-0 chromic
C. 7-0 ethibond
D. 7-0 silk
- answer-7-0 prolene
NCCT PRACTICE EXAM SURGICAL TECH ACTUAL
2026-27 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS
During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions
should the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an
uncuffed endotracheal tube?
A. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile water and saline to reduce leakage
of oxygen.
B. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile saline and methylene blue to check
for leakage of oxygen.
C. Moisten the head drape around the field prior to start of procedure to
minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
D. Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
- answer-Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
During an otorhinolaryngologic procedure, which of the following precautions
should the surgical technologist take if the anesthesia provider is using an
uncuffed endotracheal tube?
A. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile water and saline to reduce leakage
of oxygen.
B. Fill the endotracheal tube with sterile saline and methylene blue to check
for leakage of oxygen.
C. Moisten the head drape around the field prior to start of procedure to
minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
D. Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
- answer-Moisten sponges and place around the field prior to start of procedure
to minimize leakage and reduce heat buildup.
During the initial pre-operative count, the surgical technologist and circulator
noticed that there were 11 Raytecs in a package instead of 10. Which of the
following should they do about the extra sponge?
A. Include the extra sponge in the count.
B. Throw out one sponge to make it 10.
,2
C. Discard the entire package into a kick bucket and remove it from count.
D. Remove the package and the sponges from room.
- answer-Remove the package and the sponges from room.
Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a Posterolateral
Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at the surgical
site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken sterility to
help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Apply sterile gloves, then remove and replace the dressing.
B. Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove.
C. Apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops.
D. Transport the patient to PACU with instructions to change
dressings immediately.
- answer-Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re glove.
Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a Posterolateral
Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at the surgical
site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken sterility to
help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Apply sterile gloves, then remove and replace the dressing.
B. Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove.
C. Apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops.
D. Transport the patient to PACU with instructions to change
dressings immediately.
- answer-Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re glove.
If the surgical technologist's request for an initial count is refused by the
circulator due to emergent nature of a procedure, which of the following is the
proper course of action?
Continue with subsequent counts and follow procedure from that point on in the
case.
Do not proceed with the case until the initial count is completed.
Perform the initial count independently, using the count sheet inside the tray.
, 3
Ask a different member of the surgical team to assist in the initial count.
- answer-Continue with subsequent counts and follow procedure from that point
on in the case.
In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to
A. verify elimination of living flora on the package.
B. confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
C. show that no moisture entered the package.
D. ensure that the package is sterile.
- answer-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
In a sterilized package, a chemical indicator is used to
A. verify elimination of living flora on the package.
B. confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
C. show that no moisture entered the package.
D. ensure that the package is sterile.
- answer-confirm that the package was exposed to sterilization.
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should
anticipate using which of the following sutures?
7-0 prolene
7-0 chromic
7-0 ethibond
7-0 silk
- answer-7-0 prolene
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should
anticipate using which of the following sutures?
A. 7-0 prolene
B. 7-0 chromic
C. 7-0 ethibond
D. 7-0 silk
- answer-7-0 prolene
