Oklahoma Surgical Technologist
Assessment Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf.
1. During preparation for a sterile surgical procedure, which action by
the surgical technologist is most appropriate for maintaining the
integrity of the sterile field?
A. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an instrument
B. Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view
C. Turning away from the sterile field when opening additional supplies
D. Allowing sterile gown cuffs to extend below the level of the back table
Answer: B. Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view
Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view helps prevent
accidental contamination and maintains awareness of the sterile
boundaries during surgical preparation and procedures.
2. Which anatomical structure is primarily responsible for transporting
oxygenated blood from the heart to the systemic circulation?
,A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Aorta
D. Superior vena cava
Answer: C. Aorta
The aorta is the body's largest artery and carries oxygenated blood from
the left ventricle to systemic arteries throughout the body.
3. Which method is most appropriate for sterilizing heat-stable
surgical instruments that can tolerate moisture and pressure?
A. Ethylene oxide gas
B. Steam under pressure
C. Hydrogen peroxide skin preparation
D. Alcohol immersion
Answer: B. Steam under pressure
Steam sterilization in an autoclave is the preferred method for many
heat- and moisture-stable surgical instruments because pressurized
saturated steam effectively destroys microorganisms, including
bacterial spores.
4. A surgical technologist notices that a sterile instrument has fallen
below the level of the sterile field. What should the technologist
do?
,A. Return the instrument to the field after wiping it with antiseptic
solution
B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from use
C. Place the instrument in a basin for later sterilization
D. Ask the surgeon whether the instrument may still be used
Answer: B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from
use
An item that falls below the sterile-field level is considered
contaminated because the area is outside the visible sterile boundaries.
It must not be returned to the sterile field.
5. Which organization is primarily responsible for establishing
standards related to the prevention and control of healthcare-
associated infections in many healthcare settings?
A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
B. Federal Aviation Administration
C. Environmental Protection Agency only
D. Department of Transportation
Answer: A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develops evidence-based
recommendations and guidelines for infection prevention and control in
healthcare environments.
, 6. Before performing a surgical hand scrub, which action is most
appropriate?
A. Remove all jewelry from the hands and arms
B. Apply sterile gloves before beginning the scrub
C. Keep rings in place to protect the fingers
D. Apply hand lotion immediately before scrubbing
Answer: A. Remove all jewelry from the hands and arms
Jewelry can harbor microorganisms and interfere with effective
cleaning, so rings, watches, bracelets, and other hand or arm jewelry
should be removed before surgical hand antisepsis.
7. Which instrument is specifically designed to grasp delicate tissue
without causing unnecessary trauma?
A. Allis clamp
B. Babcock clamp
C. Kocher clamp
D. Backhaus towel clamp
Answer: B. Babcock clamp
The Babcock clamp has broad, smooth, atraumatic jaws and is
commonly used to grasp delicate tubular structures and tissues such as
bowel or fallopian tubes.
Assessment Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf.
1. During preparation for a sterile surgical procedure, which action by
the surgical technologist is most appropriate for maintaining the
integrity of the sterile field?
A. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an instrument
B. Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view
C. Turning away from the sterile field when opening additional supplies
D. Allowing sterile gown cuffs to extend below the level of the back table
Answer: B. Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view
Keeping sterile hands above the waist and within view helps prevent
accidental contamination and maintains awareness of the sterile
boundaries during surgical preparation and procedures.
2. Which anatomical structure is primarily responsible for transporting
oxygenated blood from the heart to the systemic circulation?
,A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Aorta
D. Superior vena cava
Answer: C. Aorta
The aorta is the body's largest artery and carries oxygenated blood from
the left ventricle to systemic arteries throughout the body.
3. Which method is most appropriate for sterilizing heat-stable
surgical instruments that can tolerate moisture and pressure?
A. Ethylene oxide gas
B. Steam under pressure
C. Hydrogen peroxide skin preparation
D. Alcohol immersion
Answer: B. Steam under pressure
Steam sterilization in an autoclave is the preferred method for many
heat- and moisture-stable surgical instruments because pressurized
saturated steam effectively destroys microorganisms, including
bacterial spores.
4. A surgical technologist notices that a sterile instrument has fallen
below the level of the sterile field. What should the technologist
do?
,A. Return the instrument to the field after wiping it with antiseptic
solution
B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from use
C. Place the instrument in a basin for later sterilization
D. Ask the surgeon whether the instrument may still be used
Answer: B. Consider the instrument contaminated and remove it from
use
An item that falls below the sterile-field level is considered
contaminated because the area is outside the visible sterile boundaries.
It must not be returned to the sterile field.
5. Which organization is primarily responsible for establishing
standards related to the prevention and control of healthcare-
associated infections in many healthcare settings?
A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
B. Federal Aviation Administration
C. Environmental Protection Agency only
D. Department of Transportation
Answer: A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develops evidence-based
recommendations and guidelines for infection prevention and control in
healthcare environments.
, 6. Before performing a surgical hand scrub, which action is most
appropriate?
A. Remove all jewelry from the hands and arms
B. Apply sterile gloves before beginning the scrub
C. Keep rings in place to protect the fingers
D. Apply hand lotion immediately before scrubbing
Answer: A. Remove all jewelry from the hands and arms
Jewelry can harbor microorganisms and interfere with effective
cleaning, so rings, watches, bracelets, and other hand or arm jewelry
should be removed before surgical hand antisepsis.
7. Which instrument is specifically designed to grasp delicate tissue
without causing unnecessary trauma?
A. Allis clamp
B. Babcock clamp
C. Kocher clamp
D. Backhaus towel clamp
Answer: B. Babcock clamp
The Babcock clamp has broad, smooth, atraumatic jaws and is
commonly used to grasp delicate tubular structures and tissues such as
bowel or fallopian tubes.
