Oklahoma Surgical Technologist
Assessment Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf.
1. Which action is most important for a surgical technologist when
preparing a sterile back table before the procedure begins?
A. Arrange instruments according to personal preference
B. Open all supplies several hours before the procedure
C. Verify the sterility, integrity, and expiration status of all sterile items
before arranging them
D. Place contaminated instruments on the back table for convenience
Rationale: Verification of package integrity, sterility indicators, and
expiration status helps ensure that only appropriate sterile supplies
enter the sterile field and reduces the risk of surgical-site contamination.
2. During surgical hand antisepsis, which technique best promotes
effective microbial reduction before donning sterile attire?
,A. Scrubbing only the palms
B. Washing hands after donning gloves
C. Cleaning the hands and forearms systematically while maintaining
appropriate hand position and following the approved antiseptic
protocol
D. Using alcohol-based hand rub after touching the floor
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis requires systematic treatment of the
hands and forearms using an approved method to reduce transient and
resident microorganisms before sterile gowning and gloving.
3. Which principle is fundamental when establishing a sterile field?
A. Sterile objects may be placed below waist level
B. Sterile personnel may turn their backs to the field
C. The outer 2.5 cm of a sterile wrapper is considered sterile
D. Only sterile items may contact the sterile field, and the field must
remain within the technologist’s view
Rationale: Maintaining continuous observation and preventing contact
between sterile and nonsterile surfaces are essential principles for
preserving surgical asepsis.
4. A sterile package becomes wet while sitting on a sterile table. How
should the surgical technologist respond?
A. Dry the package with a sterile towel
B. Assume the contents remain sterile
,C. Cover the package with another sterile drape
D. Consider the package contaminated and remove it from the sterile
field
Rationale: Moisture can allow microorganisms to migrate through
packaging, creating a potential contamination pathway known as
strike-through contamination.
5. Which item is generally considered appropriate for protecting the
sterile field from contamination during surgery?
A. A visibly torn drape
B. A damp towel
C. A sterile surgical drape placed using aseptic technique
D. A used instrument wrapper
Rationale: Sterile surgical drapes establish barriers between sterile
areas and potentially contaminated surfaces when they are applied
correctly using aseptic technique.
6. What is the primary purpose of the surgical time-out immediately
before an invasive procedure?
A. Determine the surgeon’s preferred instrument sequence
B. Calculate the patient's estimated blood loss
C. Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and other critical safety
information with the operative team
D. Document the final instrument count
, Rationale: The time-out provides a standardized opportunity for the
entire surgical team to confirm critical patient and procedure
information before incision.
7. Which responsibility normally belongs to the surgical technologist
during the intraoperative phase?
A. Independently diagnose the patient
B. Administer general anesthesia
C. Maintain the sterile field and provide the surgeon with appropriate
instruments and supplies
D. Independently prescribe postoperative medications
Rationale: Surgical technologists support the operative team by
maintaining asepsis, anticipating procedural needs, handling
instruments, and providing supplies under appropriate supervision.
8. When passing a scalpel to the surgeon, the surgical technologist
should primarily consider which safety principle?
A. Pass it with the blade pointing toward the surgeon
B. Place it on the surgeon’s lap
C. Use a controlled method that minimizes the risk of accidental injury,
such as a neutral zone when appropriate
D. Toss it across the sterile field
Assessment Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf.
1. Which action is most important for a surgical technologist when
preparing a sterile back table before the procedure begins?
A. Arrange instruments according to personal preference
B. Open all supplies several hours before the procedure
C. Verify the sterility, integrity, and expiration status of all sterile items
before arranging them
D. Place contaminated instruments on the back table for convenience
Rationale: Verification of package integrity, sterility indicators, and
expiration status helps ensure that only appropriate sterile supplies
enter the sterile field and reduces the risk of surgical-site contamination.
2. During surgical hand antisepsis, which technique best promotes
effective microbial reduction before donning sterile attire?
,A. Scrubbing only the palms
B. Washing hands after donning gloves
C. Cleaning the hands and forearms systematically while maintaining
appropriate hand position and following the approved antiseptic
protocol
D. Using alcohol-based hand rub after touching the floor
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis requires systematic treatment of the
hands and forearms using an approved method to reduce transient and
resident microorganisms before sterile gowning and gloving.
3. Which principle is fundamental when establishing a sterile field?
A. Sterile objects may be placed below waist level
B. Sterile personnel may turn their backs to the field
C. The outer 2.5 cm of a sterile wrapper is considered sterile
D. Only sterile items may contact the sterile field, and the field must
remain within the technologist’s view
Rationale: Maintaining continuous observation and preventing contact
between sterile and nonsterile surfaces are essential principles for
preserving surgical asepsis.
4. A sterile package becomes wet while sitting on a sterile table. How
should the surgical technologist respond?
A. Dry the package with a sterile towel
B. Assume the contents remain sterile
,C. Cover the package with another sterile drape
D. Consider the package contaminated and remove it from the sterile
field
Rationale: Moisture can allow microorganisms to migrate through
packaging, creating a potential contamination pathway known as
strike-through contamination.
5. Which item is generally considered appropriate for protecting the
sterile field from contamination during surgery?
A. A visibly torn drape
B. A damp towel
C. A sterile surgical drape placed using aseptic technique
D. A used instrument wrapper
Rationale: Sterile surgical drapes establish barriers between sterile
areas and potentially contaminated surfaces when they are applied
correctly using aseptic technique.
6. What is the primary purpose of the surgical time-out immediately
before an invasive procedure?
A. Determine the surgeon’s preferred instrument sequence
B. Calculate the patient's estimated blood loss
C. Verify the correct patient, procedure, site, and other critical safety
information with the operative team
D. Document the final instrument count
, Rationale: The time-out provides a standardized opportunity for the
entire surgical team to confirm critical patient and procedure
information before incision.
7. Which responsibility normally belongs to the surgical technologist
during the intraoperative phase?
A. Independently diagnose the patient
B. Administer general anesthesia
C. Maintain the sterile field and provide the surgeon with appropriate
instruments and supplies
D. Independently prescribe postoperative medications
Rationale: Surgical technologists support the operative team by
maintaining asepsis, anticipating procedural needs, handling
instruments, and providing supplies under appropriate supervision.
8. When passing a scalpel to the surgeon, the surgical technologist
should primarily consider which safety principle?
A. Pass it with the blade pointing toward the surgeon
B. Place it on the surgeon’s lap
C. Use a controlled method that minimizes the risk of accidental injury,
such as a neutral zone when appropriate
D. Toss it across the sterile field
