NBSTSA CST EXAM 2024/2025. COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+.
A Surgical Technologist is scheduled to assist a new surgeon on a scheduled cholecystectomy tomorrow.
The information needed regarding the positioning the patient, the instruments the surgeon will need for
the case, and the details of the procedure can be found.
-Correct Answer:
On the surgeon’s preference card
A pre-operative surgical site is being prepared by the surgical technician. After appropriately draping the
nonoperative sites, a final drape is applied that contains a specific opening to accommodate the surgical
incision. What type of drape is this?
Correct Answer
Plastic adhesive drape
When preparing the operating room lights for a specific surgery, care should be taken to: change the light
bulbs prior to each surgery angle both surgical lights toward the ceiling so the surgeon can move them into
the correct position
-Correct Answer:
apply sterile handle covers to the lights
keep the brightness setting on low for the surgical procedure
In which of the following circumstances is an incise drape specifically useful?
-Correct Answer:
An abdominal surgery with a 6-inch horizontal incision
A 65-year-old male is being admitted for emergency repair of a strangulated ventral hernia. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and COPD. What would be
important to discuss with the patient during the preoperative period?
-Correct Answer:
His advance directive wishes
A 34-year-old female is scheduled to undergo carpal tunnel surgery. The Certified Surgical Technologist
knows that the anesthesiologist/CRNA will perform a Bier block while using a(n):
-Correct Answer:
pneumatic tourniquet
What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Correct
physiological needs
The anesthesiologist would use a thermoregulatory device on a patient when:
-Correct Answer:
they show signs of hypothermia from the anesthesia
Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
-Correct Answer:
5,000-10,000/mm3
,Which of the following identifies the elements to be included in the surgical time out?
-Correct Answer:
patient name, surgery to be performed, and identification of the correct site/side for the surgery
Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation,
or other problems associated with the spinal structures?
-Correct Answer:
Myelography
What is used to help prevent the patient from moving during surgery?
-Correct Answer:
safety straps
Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid procedures? -Correct Answer:
supine position
The triad of the fundamental principles of radiation protection for the Certified Surgical Technologist in the
perioperative area includes:
-Correct Answer:
time, distance, and shielding
Which of the following refers to the flow of air from inside the operating room outward?
-Correct Answer:
Laminar air flow
Which of the following patients would require special precautions be taken during surgery?
-Correct Answer:
a patient with a latex allergy
Which of the following is an example of universal precautions?
-Correct Answer:
proper handling of sharps
In what position should the C-arm be set before applying sterile drapes?
-Correct Answer:
horizontal at waist height or a little higher
Which of the following is the LEAST effective method for monitoring the patient’s core body temperature?
-Correct Answer:
head monitoring strip
After removing a drape from its packaging, what is the first step when applying a sterile drape to a
microscope?
-Correct Answer:
starting with applying the lens cover on the bottom first
During open surgery, the surgeon requests an instrument to use so that he can grasp tissue during the
procedure. Which is the appropriate instrument to hand to the surgeon?
-Correct Answer: Forceps
All of the following are common locations from which the surgeon can harvest an autograft for an ACL
repair EXCEPT:
-Correct Answer:
the bicep
The first step before using a self-retaining retractor is to:
-Correct Answer:
, test the locking mechanism to ensure it is functioning correctly
In which of the following anatomical locations would a dilator be LEAST like to be used?
-Correct Answer: Sinus Cavity
The primary purpose for operating a suction device in the surgical site is to:
-Correct Answer:
minimize pooling fluid that could obstruct the surgeon’s view
Which of the following chemical cauterization substances is frequently used to control cervical or nasal
bleeding?
-Correct Answer:
Silver Nitrate
A microscope may be used for all of the following surgeries EXCEPT:
-Correct Answer: appendectomy
Which of the following is NOT a common type of suture material?
-Correct Answer:
Nonmetallic
One way the Certified Surgical Technologist can prevent a medication error is to:
-Correct Answer:
label syringes with the drug information so they are clearly identifiable
Which of the following is the most commonly used substance in cryotherapy?
-Correct Answer:
Liquid Nitrogen
When estimating blood loss based on a visual assessment of saturated gauze, how much blood is estimated
to be lost with each saturated piece of 4x4 gauze?
-Correct Answer: 12 mL
Which of the following is a characteristic specific to the laparoscopic technique?
-Correct Answer:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+.
A Surgical Technologist is scheduled to assist a new surgeon on a scheduled cholecystectomy tomorrow.
The information needed regarding the positioning the patient, the instruments the surgeon will need for
the case, and the details of the procedure can be found.
-Correct Answer:
On the surgeon’s preference card
A pre-operative surgical site is being prepared by the surgical technician. After appropriately draping the
nonoperative sites, a final drape is applied that contains a specific opening to accommodate the surgical
incision. What type of drape is this?
Correct Answer
Plastic adhesive drape
When preparing the operating room lights for a specific surgery, care should be taken to: change the light
bulbs prior to each surgery angle both surgical lights toward the ceiling so the surgeon can move them into
the correct position
-Correct Answer:
apply sterile handle covers to the lights
keep the brightness setting on low for the surgical procedure
In which of the following circumstances is an incise drape specifically useful?
-Correct Answer:
An abdominal surgery with a 6-inch horizontal incision
A 65-year-old male is being admitted for emergency repair of a strangulated ventral hernia. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and COPD. What would be
important to discuss with the patient during the preoperative period?
-Correct Answer:
His advance directive wishes
A 34-year-old female is scheduled to undergo carpal tunnel surgery. The Certified Surgical Technologist
knows that the anesthesiologist/CRNA will perform a Bier block while using a(n):
-Correct Answer:
pneumatic tourniquet
What is the first level, or bottom, of the pyramid in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Correct
physiological needs
The anesthesiologist would use a thermoregulatory device on a patient when:
-Correct Answer:
they show signs of hypothermia from the anesthesia
Which of the following is the normal lab value for white blood cells?
-Correct Answer:
5,000-10,000/mm3
,Which of the following identifies the elements to be included in the surgical time out?
-Correct Answer:
patient name, surgery to be performed, and identification of the correct site/side for the surgery
Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to determine abnormalities, tumors, disc herniation,
or other problems associated with the spinal structures?
-Correct Answer:
Myelography
What is used to help prevent the patient from moving during surgery?
-Correct Answer:
safety straps
Which of the following patient positions is preferred for cardiac and thyroid procedures? -Correct Answer:
supine position
The triad of the fundamental principles of radiation protection for the Certified Surgical Technologist in the
perioperative area includes:
-Correct Answer:
time, distance, and shielding
Which of the following refers to the flow of air from inside the operating room outward?
-Correct Answer:
Laminar air flow
Which of the following patients would require special precautions be taken during surgery?
-Correct Answer:
a patient with a latex allergy
Which of the following is an example of universal precautions?
-Correct Answer:
proper handling of sharps
In what position should the C-arm be set before applying sterile drapes?
-Correct Answer:
horizontal at waist height or a little higher
Which of the following is the LEAST effective method for monitoring the patient’s core body temperature?
-Correct Answer:
head monitoring strip
After removing a drape from its packaging, what is the first step when applying a sterile drape to a
microscope?
-Correct Answer:
starting with applying the lens cover on the bottom first
During open surgery, the surgeon requests an instrument to use so that he can grasp tissue during the
procedure. Which is the appropriate instrument to hand to the surgeon?
-Correct Answer: Forceps
All of the following are common locations from which the surgeon can harvest an autograft for an ACL
repair EXCEPT:
-Correct Answer:
the bicep
The first step before using a self-retaining retractor is to:
-Correct Answer:
, test the locking mechanism to ensure it is functioning correctly
In which of the following anatomical locations would a dilator be LEAST like to be used?
-Correct Answer: Sinus Cavity
The primary purpose for operating a suction device in the surgical site is to:
-Correct Answer:
minimize pooling fluid that could obstruct the surgeon’s view
Which of the following chemical cauterization substances is frequently used to control cervical or nasal
bleeding?
-Correct Answer:
Silver Nitrate
A microscope may be used for all of the following surgeries EXCEPT:
-Correct Answer: appendectomy
Which of the following is NOT a common type of suture material?
-Correct Answer:
Nonmetallic
One way the Certified Surgical Technologist can prevent a medication error is to:
-Correct Answer:
label syringes with the drug information so they are clearly identifiable
Which of the following is the most commonly used substance in cryotherapy?
-Correct Answer:
Liquid Nitrogen
When estimating blood loss based on a visual assessment of saturated gauze, how much blood is estimated
to be lost with each saturated piece of 4x4 gauze?
-Correct Answer: 12 mL
Which of the following is a characteristic specific to the laparoscopic technique?
-Correct Answer:
