NCCT Surgical Tech Exam Review – Actual
2025/2026 Questions & Answers Tech in Surgery –
Certified (TS-C) National Center for Competency
Testing (NCCT)
Exam Overview
The NCCT Surgical Technologist (TS-C) exam covers perioperative patient care,
surgical instrumentation and sterilization, intraoperative procedures and assistance,
postoperative patient management, and surgical safety and aseptic technique. This
review includes actual exam-style questions with verified correct answers and
rationales aligned with the latest NCCT exam blueprint.
SECTION 1: STERILIZATION & ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
Q1. Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of
a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been
eliminated?
- A. 270°F for 4 minutes
- B. 350°F for 4 minutes
- C. 240°F for 10 minutes
- D. 350°F for 10 minutes
1
,Answer: A
Rationale: The proper temperature for steam sterilization is 270°F for 4 minutes.
Pre-vacuum sterilization also operates at 270°F. The three factors needed to
achieve steam sterilization are exposure time, temperature, and moisture.
Q2. Which of the following is the correct temperature for flash sterilization
operation?
Answer: 270°F (132°C)
Rationale: Flash sterilization (immediate use sterilization) requires the same
temperature parameters as standard steam sterilization, with the primary difference
being shorter exposure times.
Q3. Which of the following is used to achieve high-level disinfection with a
minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
- A. Chlorine bleach compounds
2
,- B. Glutaraldehyde
- C. Hydrogen peroxide
- D. Iodine and iodophors
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is used for high-level disinfection with a minimum
exposure time of 20-45 minutes. It is a chemical sterilant commonly used for heat-
sensitive instruments like flexible endoscopes.
Q4. The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
- A. Hydrogen peroxide
- B. Glutaraldehyde
- C. Alcohol
- D. Peracetic acid
Answer: A
3
, Rationale: The Sterrad system uses hydrogen peroxide gas plasma for low-
temperature sterilization of heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments.
Q5. Which of the following should every package intended for sterilization
include?
- A. Load-control number, date of sterilization, cycle or load number
- B. Only the date of sterilization
- C. Only the indicator
- D. Only the expiration date
Answer: A
Rationale: Every package intended for sterilization should include a load-control
number, date of sterilization, and cycle or load number. This ensures proper
tracking and traceability.
Q6. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist place on the
sterilization log after flash sterilizing an instrument?
4
2025/2026 Questions & Answers Tech in Surgery –
Certified (TS-C) National Center for Competency
Testing (NCCT)
Exam Overview
The NCCT Surgical Technologist (TS-C) exam covers perioperative patient care,
surgical instrumentation and sterilization, intraoperative procedures and assistance,
postoperative patient management, and surgical safety and aseptic technique. This
review includes actual exam-style questions with verified correct answers and
rationales aligned with the latest NCCT exam blueprint.
SECTION 1: STERILIZATION & ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
Q1. Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of
a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been
eliminated?
- A. 270°F for 4 minutes
- B. 350°F for 4 minutes
- C. 240°F for 10 minutes
- D. 350°F for 10 minutes
1
,Answer: A
Rationale: The proper temperature for steam sterilization is 270°F for 4 minutes.
Pre-vacuum sterilization also operates at 270°F. The three factors needed to
achieve steam sterilization are exposure time, temperature, and moisture.
Q2. Which of the following is the correct temperature for flash sterilization
operation?
Answer: 270°F (132°C)
Rationale: Flash sterilization (immediate use sterilization) requires the same
temperature parameters as standard steam sterilization, with the primary difference
being shorter exposure times.
Q3. Which of the following is used to achieve high-level disinfection with a
minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
- A. Chlorine bleach compounds
2
,- B. Glutaraldehyde
- C. Hydrogen peroxide
- D. Iodine and iodophors
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is used for high-level disinfection with a minimum
exposure time of 20-45 minutes. It is a chemical sterilant commonly used for heat-
sensitive instruments like flexible endoscopes.
Q4. The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
- A. Hydrogen peroxide
- B. Glutaraldehyde
- C. Alcohol
- D. Peracetic acid
Answer: A
3
, Rationale: The Sterrad system uses hydrogen peroxide gas plasma for low-
temperature sterilization of heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments.
Q5. Which of the following should every package intended for sterilization
include?
- A. Load-control number, date of sterilization, cycle or load number
- B. Only the date of sterilization
- C. Only the indicator
- D. Only the expiration date
Answer: A
Rationale: Every package intended for sterilization should include a load-control
number, date of sterilization, and cycle or load number. This ensures proper
tracking and traceability.
Q6. Which of the following items should the surgical technologist place on the
sterilization log after flash sterilizing an instrument?
4
