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NBSTSA CST Exam 2026 — 100 Practice Questions with Answers (English)
Part 1: Preoperative Preparation (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the first basic action a surgical technologist should perform during preoperative
preparation?
A) Open the sterile instrument pack
B) Perform a basic hand wash
C) Put on sterile gloves
D) Set up the sterile back table
Answer: B
A basic hand wash is the first step before touching any sterile items.
2. According to the surgeon's preference card, what should the surgical technologist
confirm?
A) The patient's insurance information
B) The specific instruments and supplies needed for the procedure
C) The OR temperature
D) The nursing schedule
Answer: B
The preference card lists the specific instruments, supplies, and special equipment a surgeon
wants for a given procedure.
3. Before opening a sterile pack, what must be checked?
A) The color of the pack
B) The sterilization indicator and expiration date
C) The weight of the pack
D) The brand of the pack
Answer: B
The chemical indicator must have changed color and the pack must be within its expiration
date. If not, it cannot be used.
4. When opening a sterile pack, which flap should be opened first?
A) The closest flap
B) The farthest flap
C) The left flap
D) The right flap
Answer: B
Open the farthest flap first, then the side flaps, and the closest flap last to prevent
contamination of the sterile field.
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5. During a surgical scrub, how should the hands and arms be held?
A) Below the elbows
B) Level with the elbows
C) Above the elbows
D) In any position
Answer: C
Hands must remain above the elbows so water flows from fingertips to elbows (clean to
dirty).
6. What is the main advantage of the closed gloving technique?
A) It is faster
B) It prevents the bare hand from touching the outside of the glove
C) The gloves fit better
D) It does not require an assistant
Answer: B
Closed gloving keeps the hands inside the gown cuffs, preventing bare skin from contacting
the sterile glove exterior.
7. When prepping the surgical skin site, how should the antiseptic be applied?
A) From the periphery toward the center
B) From the incision site outward in a circular motion
C) Randomly
D) Only directly over the incision
Answer: B
Skin prep starts at the incision site and moves outward in circular motions, leaving the
contaminated area for last.
8. When transferring a patient from the stretcher to the OR bed, what must the surgical
technologist ensure?
A) The patient is asleep
B) The OR bed is locked and the patient is secured
C) The OR lights are off
D) All instruments are open
Answer: B
The bed must be locked, the transfer performed safely, and safety straps and padding
applied.
9. What is the purpose of the "Time Out" in the Universal Protocol?
A) To give the team a break
B) To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure before incision
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C) To count instruments
D) To prepare medications
Answer: B
Time Out is the final verification before incision to confirm correct patient, site, and
procedure.
10. What should be placed under a patient in the lateral position?
A) A pillow
B) An axillary roll
C) An ice pack
D) A heating pad
Answer: B
An axillary roll is placed in the dependent axilla to prevent brachial plexus and vascular
compression.
11. In the lithotomy position, how should the legs be moved?
A) Independently
B) Simultaneously together
C) Left leg first
D) Right leg first
Answer: B
Legs must be raised and lowered simultaneously to prevent hip dislocation or muscle strain.
12. What is the usual temperature range for an operating room?
A) 60–65°F
B) 68–75°F
C) 78–82°F
D) 85–90°F
Answer: B
OR temperature is typically maintained at 68–75°F (20–24°C) to balance patient warmth and
team comfort.
13. Where should the grounding pad (dispersive electrode) be placed for electrosurgery?
A) Over a bony prominence
B) Over a well-vascularized muscle mass
C) Over scar tissue
D) Over a joint
Answer: B
The pad should be on a well-vascularized muscle mass to disperse current and prevent
burns. Avoid bony prominences, scars, and implants.
NBSTSA CST Exam 2026 — 100 Practice Questions with Answers (English)
Part 1: Preoperative Preparation (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the first basic action a surgical technologist should perform during preoperative
preparation?
A) Open the sterile instrument pack
B) Perform a basic hand wash
C) Put on sterile gloves
D) Set up the sterile back table
Answer: B
A basic hand wash is the first step before touching any sterile items.
2. According to the surgeon's preference card, what should the surgical technologist
confirm?
A) The patient's insurance information
B) The specific instruments and supplies needed for the procedure
C) The OR temperature
D) The nursing schedule
Answer: B
The preference card lists the specific instruments, supplies, and special equipment a surgeon
wants for a given procedure.
3. Before opening a sterile pack, what must be checked?
A) The color of the pack
B) The sterilization indicator and expiration date
C) The weight of the pack
D) The brand of the pack
Answer: B
The chemical indicator must have changed color and the pack must be within its expiration
date. If not, it cannot be used.
4. When opening a sterile pack, which flap should be opened first?
A) The closest flap
B) The farthest flap
C) The left flap
D) The right flap
Answer: B
Open the farthest flap first, then the side flaps, and the closest flap last to prevent
contamination of the sterile field.
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5. During a surgical scrub, how should the hands and arms be held?
A) Below the elbows
B) Level with the elbows
C) Above the elbows
D) In any position
Answer: C
Hands must remain above the elbows so water flows from fingertips to elbows (clean to
dirty).
6. What is the main advantage of the closed gloving technique?
A) It is faster
B) It prevents the bare hand from touching the outside of the glove
C) The gloves fit better
D) It does not require an assistant
Answer: B
Closed gloving keeps the hands inside the gown cuffs, preventing bare skin from contacting
the sterile glove exterior.
7. When prepping the surgical skin site, how should the antiseptic be applied?
A) From the periphery toward the center
B) From the incision site outward in a circular motion
C) Randomly
D) Only directly over the incision
Answer: B
Skin prep starts at the incision site and moves outward in circular motions, leaving the
contaminated area for last.
8. When transferring a patient from the stretcher to the OR bed, what must the surgical
technologist ensure?
A) The patient is asleep
B) The OR bed is locked and the patient is secured
C) The OR lights are off
D) All instruments are open
Answer: B
The bed must be locked, the transfer performed safely, and safety straps and padding
applied.
9. What is the purpose of the "Time Out" in the Universal Protocol?
A) To give the team a break
B) To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure before incision
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C) To count instruments
D) To prepare medications
Answer: B
Time Out is the final verification before incision to confirm correct patient, site, and
procedure.
10. What should be placed under a patient in the lateral position?
A) A pillow
B) An axillary roll
C) An ice pack
D) A heating pad
Answer: B
An axillary roll is placed in the dependent axilla to prevent brachial plexus and vascular
compression.
11. In the lithotomy position, how should the legs be moved?
A) Independently
B) Simultaneously together
C) Left leg first
D) Right leg first
Answer: B
Legs must be raised and lowered simultaneously to prevent hip dislocation or muscle strain.
12. What is the usual temperature range for an operating room?
A) 60–65°F
B) 68–75°F
C) 78–82°F
D) 85–90°F
Answer: B
OR temperature is typically maintained at 68–75°F (20–24°C) to balance patient warmth and
team comfort.
13. Where should the grounding pad (dispersive electrode) be placed for electrosurgery?
A) Over a bony prominence
B) Over a well-vascularized muscle mass
C) Over scar tissue
D) Over a joint
Answer: B
The pad should be on a well-vascularized muscle mass to disperse current and prevent
burns. Avoid bony prominences, scars, and implants.
