Surgical Technology Certification Exam
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the preference card be
opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The surgical technologist should recognize
that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for adding hernia mesh to
the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the procedure and should be
added to the preference card - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team when working with
polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact lenses and cause corneal
burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl methacrylate and latex
have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can negatively interact with the
cotton fibers in the sponges. - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum sterilizer before using
it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: C
,What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of a steam sterilizer
must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
,Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a minimum exposure time
of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following tests should be given to
inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor the efficiency of the high -
vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
, b. DART test
c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of the following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the preference card be
opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The surgical technologist should recognize
that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for adding hernia mesh to
the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the procedure and should be
added to the preference card - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team when working with
polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact lenses and cause corneal
burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl methacrylate and latex
have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can negatively interact with the
cotton fibers in the sponges. - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum sterilizer before using
it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: C
,What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of a steam sterilizer
must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
,Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a minimum exposure time
of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following tests should be given to
inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor the efficiency of the high -
vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
, b. DART test
c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month - CORRECT ANSWER - Answer: A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of the following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
