NBSTSA PSI CST EXAM REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (CORRECT AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST 2025/2026
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and
contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should
the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - CORRECT
ANSWER A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on.
The surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-
disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back. According
to best practices, which of the following should be the NEXT step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are
needed again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the
patient is transported to PACU.
,D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are
needed again. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Push the back table, mayo,
and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER C.
Several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic
tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal
to proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately
inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location
of the tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril -
CORRECT ANSWER D. Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to
be wrapped with Webril
,When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following
instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman - CORRECT ANSWER C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - CORRECT ANSWER A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist
should FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Contaminating team
member
, Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an
excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a
surgical technologist should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Epiphyseal plate
ANSWERS (CORRECT AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST 2025/2026
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and
contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should
the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - CORRECT
ANSWER A. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on.
The surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-
disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back. According
to best practices, which of the following should be the NEXT step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are
needed again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the
patient is transported to PACU.
,D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are
needed again. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Push the back table, mayo,
and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - CORRECT ANSWER C.
Several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic
tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal
to proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately
inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location
of the tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril -
CORRECT ANSWER D. Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to
be wrapped with Webril
,When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following
instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman - CORRECT ANSWER C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - CORRECT ANSWER A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist
should FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Contaminating team
member
, Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an
excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - CORRECT ANSWER A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a
surgical technologist should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Epiphyseal plate
