©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
AST Certification Exam Study Guide
Teeth - Answer✔Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - Answer✔Category of a surgical procedure entering the GI/GU/Resp tracts
( increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - Answer✔Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the brachial
tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - Answer✔A solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before
cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - Answer✔How should the patient be placed in the elevator when
being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - Answer✔A curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen used frequently
in gynecological procedures
Flat - Answer✔Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the
sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - Answer✔Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can cause cardiac
irregularities
Potassium - Answer✔Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects the cells volume, it's
balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount affects cell metabolism
Curved Mayo - Answer✔Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and
muscle
Argon - Answer✔Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and tissue
Informed consent - Answer✔Obtained by the patient before any invasive surgery can be
performed. It protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to be
treated and the intervention to be performed
Cardiac - Answer✔Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - Answer✔Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and
some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - Answer✔Webbing of the digits is termed:
1|Page
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Back table - Answer✔Surgical packs are opened:
Islets of Langerhans - Answer✔Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon, insulin, somatostatin
and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - Answer✔Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - Answer✔Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal of a
tooth
Escherichia coli - Answer✔Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the
intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - Answer✔The skin is rendered after a properly performed surgical scrub is
done
Ampulla of Vator - Answer✔The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - Answer✔Identifies the patient on their ID bracelet prior to being
transported to the OR
Spirilli - Answer✔spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - Answer✔Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - Answer✔Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning of
lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of
ionizing radiation - Answer✔Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure
Duodenum - Answer✔Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - Answer✔Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - Answer✔Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted by arthropod vectors
Colposcopy - Answer✔Procedure using binocular microscope during an examination of the
vagina
Tamponade - Answer✔Compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium
Arthrocentesis - Answer✔Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle to remove fluid
-centesis - Answer✔surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - Answer✔joint
Cecum - Answer✔The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - Answer✔Test that determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
2|Page
, ©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Mydriatics - Answer✔Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens
Supine - Answer✔Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement procedure
Argon - Answer✔Laser used because the beam travels through clear tissues without heating it,
making it ideal for use on retinal disorders
Bacillus stearothermophilus - Answer✔Organism used as a biological indicator which is killed
when exposed to steam sterilization conditions
Anaerobes - Answer✔bacteria that can live without oxygen
Fistula - Answer✔Abnormal tract that is open on both ends, is most often develops after bladder,
bowel and pelvic procedures
Antagonist - Answer✔Drug that neutralizes or impedes the action of another drug or reverses its
effects
Both ovaries, both Fallopian tubes, uterus - Answer✔If a tumor of an ovary is found to be
malignant, the surgeon will excise:
Kyphosis - Answer✔An exaggeration of the thoracic curve of the spine, resulting in a condition
called hunchback
Hallux valgus - Answer✔Medical term for a bunion, which is an bony exostosis located on the
medial side of the first metatarsal head of the big toe
Mesentery - Answer✔Binds the small intestines to the posterior abdominal wall
Inguinal incision - Answer✔Another name for a lower oblique incision
Methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol) - Answer✔A steroid used topically to diminish
inflammation after ophthalmic surgery
Coude - Answer✔Urinary catheter with a small curved tapered tip
Reverse trendelenburg - Answer✔Position provides good exposure of the operative site for a
thyroidectomy and allows the viscera to fall away of toward the feet to provide better exposure to
the gallbladder
Patent ductus arteriosus - Answer✔Congenital defect when the fetal blood vessel between the
pulmonary artery and aorta does not close
Formalin - Answer✔Most common preservative solution that tissue specimens are placed in
Parotid glands - Answer✔Located inferior and anterior to the ears between the skin and masseter
muscle and is attacked by the mumps virus
3|Page
, ©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Trendelenburg - Answer✔Position that is best used for pelvic and lower abdominal procedures
such as an abdominal hysterectomy. Allows the viscera to fall away or toward the head for better
exposure to the operative site
Adaptic - Answer✔A type of nonadherent dressing that can be used as the inner layer of a three
layer dressing
Aperture - Answer✔Fenestrated drape used to drape the eye
Direct - Answer✔Type of hernia that occurs within Hasselbach's triangle and does not have a sac
Kocher - Answer✔An oblique incision used for exposing the biliary trac (right side) or spleen
(left side)
Bakes - Answer✔Dilator used to dilate the common bile duct during an exploration for
gallstones
Ligature - Answer✔Also called ties or ties on a stick when attached to a needle, strands of suture
material used to tie off blood vessels to stop bleeding
Pancreas - Answer✔The Organ lies posterior to the greater curvature of the stomach; it's ducts
join the CBD to form the ampulla of Vator
Cerebellum - Answer✔Regulates the initiation and termination of voluntary movements of the
body, regulates the muscle tone that is necessary for body movements, and controls the
subconscious contractions of skeletal muscles
Neuroleptanesthesia - Answer✔Balanced anesthesia
Supine - Answer✔Most commonly used position for neurosurgical procedures since it allows
exposure to the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes
Serosa - Answer✔The outermost layer of most portions of the gastrointestinal tract
Chlorhexidine gluconate - Answer✔Colorless antiseptic scrub used to allow the surgeon the
ability to evaluate the vascularity of the graft postoperatively
Transverse - Answer✔Drape used when patient is placed in the lateral position and a flank
incision is made
Epispadias repair - Answer✔Performed to correct the congenital absence of the anterior wall of
the urethra and abnormal location of the urethral orifice on the dorsum of the penis
Hypertension - Answer✔Most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage
Larynx - Answer✔Small passageway between the pharynx and trachea
Trauma - Answer✔Most common cause for retinal detachment
Pulmonary embolism - Answer✔Caused by fat which dislodges after fracture of a long bone or
pelvis, or when performing total hip arthroplasty
4|Page
AST Certification Exam Study Guide
Teeth - Answer✔Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - Answer✔Category of a surgical procedure entering the GI/GU/Resp tracts
( increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - Answer✔Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the brachial
tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - Answer✔A solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before
cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - Answer✔How should the patient be placed in the elevator when
being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - Answer✔A curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen used frequently
in gynecological procedures
Flat - Answer✔Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the
sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - Answer✔Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can cause cardiac
irregularities
Potassium - Answer✔Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects the cells volume, it's
balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount affects cell metabolism
Curved Mayo - Answer✔Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and
muscle
Argon - Answer✔Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and tissue
Informed consent - Answer✔Obtained by the patient before any invasive surgery can be
performed. It protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to be
treated and the intervention to be performed
Cardiac - Answer✔Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - Answer✔Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and
some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - Answer✔Webbing of the digits is termed:
1|Page
, ©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Back table - Answer✔Surgical packs are opened:
Islets of Langerhans - Answer✔Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon, insulin, somatostatin
and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - Answer✔Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - Answer✔Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal of a
tooth
Escherichia coli - Answer✔Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the
intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - Answer✔The skin is rendered after a properly performed surgical scrub is
done
Ampulla of Vator - Answer✔The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - Answer✔Identifies the patient on their ID bracelet prior to being
transported to the OR
Spirilli - Answer✔spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - Answer✔Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - Answer✔Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning of
lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct beam of
ionizing radiation - Answer✔Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure
Duodenum - Answer✔Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - Answer✔Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - Answer✔Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted by arthropod vectors
Colposcopy - Answer✔Procedure using binocular microscope during an examination of the
vagina
Tamponade - Answer✔Compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium
Arthrocentesis - Answer✔Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle to remove fluid
-centesis - Answer✔surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - Answer✔joint
Cecum - Answer✔The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - Answer✔Test that determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
2|Page
, ©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Mydriatics - Answer✔Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens
Supine - Answer✔Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement procedure
Argon - Answer✔Laser used because the beam travels through clear tissues without heating it,
making it ideal for use on retinal disorders
Bacillus stearothermophilus - Answer✔Organism used as a biological indicator which is killed
when exposed to steam sterilization conditions
Anaerobes - Answer✔bacteria that can live without oxygen
Fistula - Answer✔Abnormal tract that is open on both ends, is most often develops after bladder,
bowel and pelvic procedures
Antagonist - Answer✔Drug that neutralizes or impedes the action of another drug or reverses its
effects
Both ovaries, both Fallopian tubes, uterus - Answer✔If a tumor of an ovary is found to be
malignant, the surgeon will excise:
Kyphosis - Answer✔An exaggeration of the thoracic curve of the spine, resulting in a condition
called hunchback
Hallux valgus - Answer✔Medical term for a bunion, which is an bony exostosis located on the
medial side of the first metatarsal head of the big toe
Mesentery - Answer✔Binds the small intestines to the posterior abdominal wall
Inguinal incision - Answer✔Another name for a lower oblique incision
Methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol) - Answer✔A steroid used topically to diminish
inflammation after ophthalmic surgery
Coude - Answer✔Urinary catheter with a small curved tapered tip
Reverse trendelenburg - Answer✔Position provides good exposure of the operative site for a
thyroidectomy and allows the viscera to fall away of toward the feet to provide better exposure to
the gallbladder
Patent ductus arteriosus - Answer✔Congenital defect when the fetal blood vessel between the
pulmonary artery and aorta does not close
Formalin - Answer✔Most common preservative solution that tissue specimens are placed in
Parotid glands - Answer✔Located inferior and anterior to the ears between the skin and masseter
muscle and is attacked by the mumps virus
3|Page
, ©EVERLY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Trendelenburg - Answer✔Position that is best used for pelvic and lower abdominal procedures
such as an abdominal hysterectomy. Allows the viscera to fall away or toward the head for better
exposure to the operative site
Adaptic - Answer✔A type of nonadherent dressing that can be used as the inner layer of a three
layer dressing
Aperture - Answer✔Fenestrated drape used to drape the eye
Direct - Answer✔Type of hernia that occurs within Hasselbach's triangle and does not have a sac
Kocher - Answer✔An oblique incision used for exposing the biliary trac (right side) or spleen
(left side)
Bakes - Answer✔Dilator used to dilate the common bile duct during an exploration for
gallstones
Ligature - Answer✔Also called ties or ties on a stick when attached to a needle, strands of suture
material used to tie off blood vessels to stop bleeding
Pancreas - Answer✔The Organ lies posterior to the greater curvature of the stomach; it's ducts
join the CBD to form the ampulla of Vator
Cerebellum - Answer✔Regulates the initiation and termination of voluntary movements of the
body, regulates the muscle tone that is necessary for body movements, and controls the
subconscious contractions of skeletal muscles
Neuroleptanesthesia - Answer✔Balanced anesthesia
Supine - Answer✔Most commonly used position for neurosurgical procedures since it allows
exposure to the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes
Serosa - Answer✔The outermost layer of most portions of the gastrointestinal tract
Chlorhexidine gluconate - Answer✔Colorless antiseptic scrub used to allow the surgeon the
ability to evaluate the vascularity of the graft postoperatively
Transverse - Answer✔Drape used when patient is placed in the lateral position and a flank
incision is made
Epispadias repair - Answer✔Performed to correct the congenital absence of the anterior wall of
the urethra and abnormal location of the urethral orifice on the dorsum of the penis
Hypertension - Answer✔Most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage
Larynx - Answer✔Small passageway between the pharynx and trachea
Trauma - Answer✔Most common cause for retinal detachment
Pulmonary embolism - Answer✔Caused by fat which dislodges after fracture of a long bone or
pelvis, or when performing total hip arthroplasty
4|Page
