CST - NBSTSA exam questions and
answers
Tympanosplasty - Answer - Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum
(tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep the
patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - Answer - Regown and reglove the
surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - Answer - Lateral
What is the kraske position? - Answer - Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with hips
flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - Answer - Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up? -
Answer - Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - Answer - A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative
site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist was
just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is scheduled in two
hours. What is the best course of action? - Answer - New sterile supplies and instruments should be
obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless field? -
Answer - Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - Answer - Satinsky
, Surgical loupes are used to: - Answer - Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - Answer - Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile because they
are: - Answer - Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should be: -
Answer - Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - Answer - Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - Answer - Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - Answer - Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of suture? -
Answer - Purse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - Answer - Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - Answer - Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - Answer - Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - Answer - Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare specimens using
which method? - Answer - Placed in separate containers and identify
, Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient in the
operating room? - Answer - Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should first
notify the: - Answer - Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted by
the: - Answer - Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - Answer - Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - Answer - Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - Answer -
Cholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - Answer - Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? - Answer -
Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - Answer - Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth and
around the bar? - Answer - 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? - Answer - Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? - Answer - Irrigation
answers
Tympanosplasty - Answer - Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum
(tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep the
patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - Answer - Regown and reglove the
surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - Answer - Lateral
What is the kraske position? - Answer - Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with hips
flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - Answer - Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up? -
Answer - Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - Answer - A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative
site
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist was
just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is scheduled in two
hours. What is the best course of action? - Answer - New sterile supplies and instruments should be
obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless field? -
Answer - Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - Answer - Satinsky
, Surgical loupes are used to: - Answer - Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - Answer - Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile because they
are: - Answer - Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should be: -
Answer - Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - Answer - Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - Answer - Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - Answer - Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of suture? -
Answer - Purse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - Answer - Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - Answer - Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - Answer - Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - Answer - Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare specimens using
which method? - Answer - Placed in separate containers and identify
, Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient in the
operating room? - Answer - Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should first
notify the: - Answer - Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted by
the: - Answer - Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - Answer - Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - Answer - Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - Answer -
Cholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - Answer - Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? - Answer -
Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - Answer - Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth and
around the bar? - Answer - 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? - Answer - Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? - Answer - Irrigation
