CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECH PREP
Exam questions and answers with
solutions 2025
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, when should the process of cleaning
instruments begin?
a. Within 5 days of the surgical procedure
b. Within 24 hours of the surgical procedure
c. During the surgical procedure
d.Immediately following the surgical procedure - ANSWER c. During the surgical procedure
According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which of the following is the primary
purpose and function of packaging material?
a. To ensure proper transport of instruments to the operating room
b. To ensure all required instruments are packaged together
c. To allow easier handling of the instruments
d. To ensure sterility until the instrument is used - ANSWER d. To ensure sterility until the
instrument is used
Which of the following refers to the small, bony projections between the transverse spinous
processes and the vertebral bodies?
a. Pedicles
b. Discs
c. Vertebrae
d. Carbuncles - ANSWER a. Pedicles
,What is the primary benefit of utilizing a harmonic scalpel in surgery?
a. It can simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue
b. It creates high temperatures that allow the surgeon to cut and cauterize at the same time
c. The scalpel vibrates allowing for a more precise incision
d. It integrates laparoscopic video to visualize the incision more closely - ANSWER a. It can
simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue
fun fact. The harmonic scalpel is often used in open procedures, such as thyroidectomy,
hemorrhoidectomy, and mastectomy.
Which of the following is NOT a performance standard that must be met by packaging material?
a. Packaging material must keep the instrument sterile until time of use
b. Packaging material must be constructed so the instrument can be removed without risk of
contamination
c. Packaging material must be water, steam, and heat resistant
d. Packaging material must allow the sterilizing agent to penetrate its fabric and reach all
surface areas - ANSWER c. Packaging material must be water, steam, and heat resistant
In an emergency, which of the following drugs may be used to raise the patient's blood
pressure?
a. Morphine sulfate
b. Procaine (Novocaine)
c. Succinylcholine (Anectine)
, d. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - ANSWER d. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
fun fact. It is a hormone that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased
heart rate and vasoconstriction which elevates blood pressure. It is also commonly used in
emergency medicine to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and cardiac arrest.
Which of the following is a normal adult white blood cell count?
a. 5000 to 11000
b. 12000 to 15000
c. 20000 to 25000
d. 1000 to 2000 - ANSWER a. 5000 to 11000
anything above 11000 indicates a state of inflammation or infection.
Which of the following is the active electrode on the electrosurgical unit?
a. Wall plug
b. Grounding pad
c. Pencil
d. Voltage intensity dial - ANSWER c. Pencil
it is an active monopolar electrode that is used to either coagulate or cut tissue
When an aseptic break technique occurs, the scrub should:
a. Notify the circulator and leave the decision to him/her.
Exam questions and answers with
solutions 2025
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, when should the process of cleaning
instruments begin?
a. Within 5 days of the surgical procedure
b. Within 24 hours of the surgical procedure
c. During the surgical procedure
d.Immediately following the surgical procedure - ANSWER c. During the surgical procedure
According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which of the following is the primary
purpose and function of packaging material?
a. To ensure proper transport of instruments to the operating room
b. To ensure all required instruments are packaged together
c. To allow easier handling of the instruments
d. To ensure sterility until the instrument is used - ANSWER d. To ensure sterility until the
instrument is used
Which of the following refers to the small, bony projections between the transverse spinous
processes and the vertebral bodies?
a. Pedicles
b. Discs
c. Vertebrae
d. Carbuncles - ANSWER a. Pedicles
,What is the primary benefit of utilizing a harmonic scalpel in surgery?
a. It can simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue
b. It creates high temperatures that allow the surgeon to cut and cauterize at the same time
c. The scalpel vibrates allowing for a more precise incision
d. It integrates laparoscopic video to visualize the incision more closely - ANSWER a. It can
simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue
fun fact. The harmonic scalpel is often used in open procedures, such as thyroidectomy,
hemorrhoidectomy, and mastectomy.
Which of the following is NOT a performance standard that must be met by packaging material?
a. Packaging material must keep the instrument sterile until time of use
b. Packaging material must be constructed so the instrument can be removed without risk of
contamination
c. Packaging material must be water, steam, and heat resistant
d. Packaging material must allow the sterilizing agent to penetrate its fabric and reach all
surface areas - ANSWER c. Packaging material must be water, steam, and heat resistant
In an emergency, which of the following drugs may be used to raise the patient's blood
pressure?
a. Morphine sulfate
b. Procaine (Novocaine)
c. Succinylcholine (Anectine)
, d. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - ANSWER d. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
fun fact. It is a hormone that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased
heart rate and vasoconstriction which elevates blood pressure. It is also commonly used in
emergency medicine to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and cardiac arrest.
Which of the following is a normal adult white blood cell count?
a. 5000 to 11000
b. 12000 to 15000
c. 20000 to 25000
d. 1000 to 2000 - ANSWER a. 5000 to 11000
anything above 11000 indicates a state of inflammation or infection.
Which of the following is the active electrode on the electrosurgical unit?
a. Wall plug
b. Grounding pad
c. Pencil
d. Voltage intensity dial - ANSWER c. Pencil
it is an active monopolar electrode that is used to either coagulate or cut tissue
When an aseptic break technique occurs, the scrub should:
a. Notify the circulator and leave the decision to him/her.
