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NBSTSA CST Practice Exam (Version A)
Time Allowed: 2 Hours | 100 Questions
Section 1: Perioperative Care & Asepsis (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. To sterilize the hands and arms
B. To reduce the microbial count to a safe level
C. To remove all resident flora permanently
D. To soften the skin for glove application
: B (Scrubbing does not sterilize; it reduces transient and some resident flora.)
2. What is the correct order for donning sterile attire?
A. Gown, gloves, mask
B. Mask, gown, gloves
C. Gloves, gown, mask
D. Mask, gloves, gown
: B (Mask is first, then gown, then gloves.)
3. A patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In which position will the
patient be placed?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Reverse Trendelenburg
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
: B (Reverse Trendelenburg with left tilt is standard for gallbladder exposure.)
4. Which of the following is a non-absorbable suture?
A. Vicryl
B. Monocryl
C. Silk
D. Chromic gut
: C (Silk is a natural non-absorbable suture.)
5. The sterile field is considered contaminated if:
A. The sterile drape is touched by a sterile instrument
B. A scrubbed person's gown touches the floor
C. Sterile water is poured into a sterile basin
D. The surgeon's gloved hand touches the sterile drape
: B (Anything below the table level is considered contaminated.)
6. What is the minimum required time for a surgical hand scrub using an alcohol-based
rub?
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A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
: B (According to CDC/AORN guidelines, alcohol-based rubs require 1 minute of friction.)
7. Which instrument is used to grasp tissue without crushing it?
A. Kocher
B. Allis
C. Babcock
D. Kelly
: C (Babcock is an atraumatic forceps.)
8. The purpose of a surgical safety checklist (Time Out) is to:
A. Verify insurance information
B. Confirm patient identity, site, and procedure
C. Count instruments
D. Administer antibiotics
: B (The Time Out is a final verification before incision.)
9. Which of the following is a method of sterilization?
A. Isopropyl alcohol soak
B. Autoclave (Steam under pressure)
C. Glutaraldehyde soak
D. Hydrogen peroxide wipe
: B (Autoclave is the most common sterilization method.)
10. A patient is allergic to latex. What should the surgical technologist use?
A. Vinyl gloves only
B. Neoprene or nitrile gloves
C. Sterile cotton gloves
D. No gloves
: B (Nitrile or neoprene are safe alternatives.)
11. The function of a Penrose drain is to:
A. Provide suction
B. Provide passive drainage
C. Act as a stent
D. Pack a wound
: B (Penrose drains rely on gravity and capillary action.)
12. Which of the following is a critical step in preventing surgical site infections?
A. Shaving the patient the night before
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 1 hour of incision
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C. Using a razor to shave the site
D. Keeping the OR temperature cold
: B (Timing of antibiotics is crucial.)
13. What is the name of the position where the patient lies face down?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lateral
D. Fowler's
: B (Prone = face down.)
14. Which needle type is best for suturing delicate tissue like the bowel?
A. Cutting needle
B. Tapered needle
C. Blunt needle
D. Trocar needle
: B (Tapered needles separate tissue without cutting.)
15. The "sterile corridor" is:
A. The area between the sterile field and the wall
B. The area between the sterile field and non-sterile personnel
C. The path for the patient to enter
D. The area where the scrub sink is located
: B (It is the safe zone between sterile and non-sterile areas.)
16. Which of the following is a hemostatic agent?
A. Saline
B. Gelfoam
C. Betadine
D. Hydrogen peroxide
: B (Gelfoam promotes clotting.)
17. A #10 blade is typically used for:
A. Fine dissection
B. Making large skin incisions
C. Suturing
D. Draining abscesses
: B (The #10 is for large, general incisions.)
18. What is the purpose of a Mayo stand?
A. To hold the back table
B. To hold instruments needed immediately
C. To hold the suction canister
NBSTSA CST Practice Exam (Version A)
Time Allowed: 2 Hours | 100 Questions
Section 1: Perioperative Care & Asepsis (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. To sterilize the hands and arms
B. To reduce the microbial count to a safe level
C. To remove all resident flora permanently
D. To soften the skin for glove application
: B (Scrubbing does not sterilize; it reduces transient and some resident flora.)
2. What is the correct order for donning sterile attire?
A. Gown, gloves, mask
B. Mask, gown, gloves
C. Gloves, gown, mask
D. Mask, gloves, gown
: B (Mask is first, then gown, then gloves.)
3. A patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In which position will the
patient be placed?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Reverse Trendelenburg
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
: B (Reverse Trendelenburg with left tilt is standard for gallbladder exposure.)
4. Which of the following is a non-absorbable suture?
A. Vicryl
B. Monocryl
C. Silk
D. Chromic gut
: C (Silk is a natural non-absorbable suture.)
5. The sterile field is considered contaminated if:
A. The sterile drape is touched by a sterile instrument
B. A scrubbed person's gown touches the floor
C. Sterile water is poured into a sterile basin
D. The surgeon's gloved hand touches the sterile drape
: B (Anything below the table level is considered contaminated.)
6. What is the minimum required time for a surgical hand scrub using an alcohol-based
rub?
,2
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
: B (According to CDC/AORN guidelines, alcohol-based rubs require 1 minute of friction.)
7. Which instrument is used to grasp tissue without crushing it?
A. Kocher
B. Allis
C. Babcock
D. Kelly
: C (Babcock is an atraumatic forceps.)
8. The purpose of a surgical safety checklist (Time Out) is to:
A. Verify insurance information
B. Confirm patient identity, site, and procedure
C. Count instruments
D. Administer antibiotics
: B (The Time Out is a final verification before incision.)
9. Which of the following is a method of sterilization?
A. Isopropyl alcohol soak
B. Autoclave (Steam under pressure)
C. Glutaraldehyde soak
D. Hydrogen peroxide wipe
: B (Autoclave is the most common sterilization method.)
10. A patient is allergic to latex. What should the surgical technologist use?
A. Vinyl gloves only
B. Neoprene or nitrile gloves
C. Sterile cotton gloves
D. No gloves
: B (Nitrile or neoprene are safe alternatives.)
11. The function of a Penrose drain is to:
A. Provide suction
B. Provide passive drainage
C. Act as a stent
D. Pack a wound
: B (Penrose drains rely on gravity and capillary action.)
12. Which of the following is a critical step in preventing surgical site infections?
A. Shaving the patient the night before
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 1 hour of incision
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C. Using a razor to shave the site
D. Keeping the OR temperature cold
: B (Timing of antibiotics is crucial.)
13. What is the name of the position where the patient lies face down?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Lateral
D. Fowler's
: B (Prone = face down.)
14. Which needle type is best for suturing delicate tissue like the bowel?
A. Cutting needle
B. Tapered needle
C. Blunt needle
D. Trocar needle
: B (Tapered needles separate tissue without cutting.)
15. The "sterile corridor" is:
A. The area between the sterile field and the wall
B. The area between the sterile field and non-sterile personnel
C. The path for the patient to enter
D. The area where the scrub sink is located
: B (It is the safe zone between sterile and non-sterile areas.)
16. Which of the following is a hemostatic agent?
A. Saline
B. Gelfoam
C. Betadine
D. Hydrogen peroxide
: B (Gelfoam promotes clotting.)
17. A #10 blade is typically used for:
A. Fine dissection
B. Making large skin incisions
C. Suturing
D. Draining abscesses
: B (The #10 is for large, general incisions.)
18. What is the purpose of a Mayo stand?
A. To hold the back table
B. To hold instruments needed immediately
C. To hold the suction canister
