NCCT SURGICAL TECH EXAM TEST 3
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general anesthesia for a right hip
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
arthroplasty. Which of the following will best help to prevent perioperative positioning injuries?
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
N N N N N N
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
N N N N N N N N N N
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
N N N N N N N N
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. - ANS >> Ensure all bony prominences
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
are sufficiently padded.
N N N
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if bony prominences are not
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
cushioned and protected from the hard surface of the operating room table. Their skin is delicate
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
and fragile due to their age, and other conditions such as diabetes, or poor circulation.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist is opening for a procedure and notices the wrapped item she just opened
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
has a hole in the outer layer. Which of the following is the proper course of action?
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Open the inner layer onto the sterile field.
N N N N N N N
Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
N N N N N N N
Check the indicator to ensure the item has been sterilized.
N N N N N N N N N
Place the package on a prep stand and open away from the sterile field. - ANS >> Discard the item
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
and retrieve a new one.
N N N N N
Rationale: If the integrity of the package has been compromised, it should not be taken on the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
sterile field. When in doubt throw it out and get a new one. If the package has a hole it should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
never be used. If it was taken onto the sterile field it would contaminate the whole field.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N N N N N
Patient
Date
Medication
,Dosage
Procedure - ANS >> Date, Medication, Dosage
N N N N N N
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee arthroscopy. As the surgeon
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
plume of smoke is seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most likely
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
source of this smoke?
N N N N
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
N N N N N N N N
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - ANS >> The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper drape, would be where the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
smoke plume was coming from because of the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
liquids and would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be the source of
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the heat since it's not working properly.
N N N N N N N
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N N N N N
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
Procedure - ANS >> Date, Medication, Dosage
N N N N N N
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee arthroscopy. As the surgeon
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
,N plume of smoke is seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most likely
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
N source of this smoke? N N N
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
N N N N N N N N
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - ANS >> The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper drape, would be where the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
smoke plume was coming from because of the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
liquids and would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be the source of
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the heat since it's not working properly.
N N N N N N N
When sterilizing an unwrapped, non-porous item with no lumen in an immediate use sterilization
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
unit, which of the following parameters must be met for sterilization with gravity displacement
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
steam? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N
3-4 minute exposure time
N N N
270o F N
10 minute exposure time
N N N
132o F N
4 minute drying time - ANS >> 3-4 minute exposure time, 270F
N N N N N N N N N N N
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is performing an induction on a known asthmatic patient. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
patient experiences a laryngospasm during intubation. The patient's oxygen saturation is 65%. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
scrubbed surgical technologist should
N N N N
prepare for a tracheostomy. N N N
prepare the machine for positive pressure ventilation of the airway.
N N N N N N N N N
prepare for a laryngoscopy. N N N
hold cricoid pressure. - ANS >> prepare for a tracheostomy.
N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The asthmatic patient had difficulty breathing when intubated and the oxygen saturation
N N N N N N N N N N N N
dropped. To support airway management, it would be necessary to set up for a tracheostomy. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
surgical technologist would not prepare the machine or hold cricoid pressure due to it is not in their
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
scope of practice. A laryngoscopy would not aid in air way management.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
Where should the ST place the back table when setting up a case?
N N N N N N N N N N N N
, On the side of the OR table where the surgeon will stand.
N N N N N N N N N N N
As far from the OR doors as possible.
N N N N N N N
Angled to the foot of the OR table for tower placement.
N N N N N N N N N N
Placed where the floor plan for that suite has designated it. - ANS >> As far from the OR doors as
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
possible.
N
Rationale: When the OR doors open and close, air movement is at its highest. Therefore, it is
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
advantageous to establish the sterile field as far as possible from the doors and from human traffic
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
into and out of the room.
N N N N N N
The surgical technologist is preparing for a case that requires an extreme reverse Trendelenburg.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Special padding is ordered to prevent the patient from slipping. What is the other purpose of this
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
padding?
N
Assist in thermoregulation.
N N
Prevent shearing. N
Provide moisture wicking.
N N
Prevent mobility impairment. - ANS >> Prevent shearing.
N N N N N N N
Rationale: The Trendelenburg position can cause a patient to slip down the operating table. That
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
slippage can leave a patient with painful skin shear injuries. Place a foam or gel pad under the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
patient between their skin and the table to prevent skin shearing. The friction created by the pads,
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
which are taped to the table or held down with straps, helps hold the patient in place. Foam
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
padding and sponges can also serve to protect parts of the patient's body that might be injured
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
under pressure or accidental poking.
N N N N N
While cleaning the back table after a cystoscopy case, the tray of instruments accidentally falls on
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the floor. After retrieving all instruments, which of the following should the surgical technologist do
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
before returning instruments to decontamination?
N N N N N
Send the contents of the tray to Biomedical Engineering.
N N N N N N N N
Visually inspect the instruments.
N N N
Inform Central Sterile that the instruments need inspection.
N N N N N N N
Assemble the instruments that have not been used. - ANS >> Visually inspect the instruments.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The first thing that needs to be done is to visually inspect the instruments for cracks or
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
breakage. The case is over, so the instruments do not need assembled. Central Sterile can be
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
An 85-year-old patient is currently in the operating room under general anesthesia for a right hip
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
arthroplasty. Which of the following will best help to prevent perioperative positioning injuries?
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Ensure all bony prominences are sufficiently padded.
N N N N N N
Make sure that the implant is appropriately sized for the patient.
N N N N N N N N N N
Be attentive to intraoperative signs of discomfort or distress.
N N N N N N N N
Use a body warming blanket during the pre-operative phase. - ANS >> Ensure all bony prominences
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
are sufficiently padded.
N N N
Rationale: Elderly patients are likely to have pressure ulcers develop if bony prominences are not
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
cushioned and protected from the hard surface of the operating room table. Their skin is delicate
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
and fragile due to their age, and other conditions such as diabetes, or poor circulation.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist is opening for a procedure and notices the wrapped item she just opened
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
has a hole in the outer layer. Which of the following is the proper course of action?
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Open the inner layer onto the sterile field.
N N N N N N N
Discard the item and retrieve a new one.
N N N N N N N
Check the indicator to ensure the item has been sterilized.
N N N N N N N N N
Place the package on a prep stand and open away from the sterile field. - ANS >> Discard the item
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
and retrieve a new one.
N N N N N
Rationale: If the integrity of the package has been compromised, it should not be taken on the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
sterile field. When in doubt throw it out and get a new one. If the package has a hole it should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
never be used. If it was taken onto the sterile field it would contaminate the whole field.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N N N N N
Patient
Date
Medication
,Dosage
Procedure - ANS >> Date, Medication, Dosage
N N N N N N
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee arthroscopy. As the surgeon
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
plume of smoke is seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most likely
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
source of this smoke?
N N N N
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
N N N N N N N N
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - ANS >> The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper drape, would be where the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
smoke plume was coming from because of the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
liquids and would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be the source of
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the heat since it's not working properly.
N N N N N N N
Before medications or solutions are poured onto the sterile field, the surgical technologist should
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
verify which of the following? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N N N N N
Patient
Date
Medication
Dosage
Procedure - ANS >> Date, Medication, Dosage
N N N N N N
Rationale: Correct patient and procedure are the responsibility of the circulator prior to obtaining
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
medication. Expiration date, name of medication and dosage must be communicated during transfer
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
of medication by the circulator and surgical technician to reduce medication errors.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a right knee arthroscopy. As the surgeon
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
takes down the tourniquet, and the surgical technologist begins to breakdown the back table, a
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
,N plume of smoke is seen coming from the sterile field. Which of the following is the most likely
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
N source of this smoke? N N N
The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N
The iodine is still damp and is igniting from use of the cautery pencil.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Lactated ringers was used for irrigation instead of glycine.
N N N N N N N N
A faulty grounding pad is in place. - ANS >> The light source was left on and the drape is igniting.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The light source with the fiber-optic beam, along with a paper drape, would be where the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
smoke plume was coming from because of the heat. Iodine and lactated ringers are not a flammable
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
liquids and would not be the source of the heat. A faulty ground pad would not be the source of
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the heat since it's not working properly.
N N N N N N N
When sterilizing an unwrapped, non-porous item with no lumen in an immediate use sterilization
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
unit, which of the following parameters must be met for sterilization with gravity displacement
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
steam? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
N N N N N N N
3-4 minute exposure time
N N N
270o F N
10 minute exposure time
N N N
132o F N
4 minute drying time - ANS >> 3-4 minute exposure time, 270F
N N N N N N N N N N N
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is performing an induction on a known asthmatic patient. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
patient experiences a laryngospasm during intubation. The patient's oxygen saturation is 65%. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
scrubbed surgical technologist should
N N N N
prepare for a tracheostomy. N N N
prepare the machine for positive pressure ventilation of the airway.
N N N N N N N N N
prepare for a laryngoscopy. N N N
hold cricoid pressure. - ANS >> prepare for a tracheostomy.
N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The asthmatic patient had difficulty breathing when intubated and the oxygen saturation
N N N N N N N N N N N N
dropped. To support airway management, it would be necessary to set up for a tracheostomy. The
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
surgical technologist would not prepare the machine or hold cricoid pressure due to it is not in their
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
scope of practice. A laryngoscopy would not aid in air way management.
N N N N N N N N N N N N
Where should the ST place the back table when setting up a case?
N N N N N N N N N N N N
, On the side of the OR table where the surgeon will stand.
N N N N N N N N N N N
As far from the OR doors as possible.
N N N N N N N
Angled to the foot of the OR table for tower placement.
N N N N N N N N N N
Placed where the floor plan for that suite has designated it. - ANS >> As far from the OR doors as
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
possible.
N
Rationale: When the OR doors open and close, air movement is at its highest. Therefore, it is
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
advantageous to establish the sterile field as far as possible from the doors and from human traffic
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
into and out of the room.
N N N N N N
The surgical technologist is preparing for a case that requires an extreme reverse Trendelenburg.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Special padding is ordered to prevent the patient from slipping. What is the other purpose of this
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
padding?
N
Assist in thermoregulation.
N N
Prevent shearing. N
Provide moisture wicking.
N N
Prevent mobility impairment. - ANS >> Prevent shearing.
N N N N N N N
Rationale: The Trendelenburg position can cause a patient to slip down the operating table. That
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
slippage can leave a patient with painful skin shear injuries. Place a foam or gel pad under the
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
patient between their skin and the table to prevent skin shearing. The friction created by the pads,
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
which are taped to the table or held down with straps, helps hold the patient in place. Foam
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
padding and sponges can also serve to protect parts of the patient's body that might be injured
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
under pressure or accidental poking.
N N N N N
While cleaning the back table after a cystoscopy case, the tray of instruments accidentally falls on
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
the floor. After retrieving all instruments, which of the following should the surgical technologist do
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
before returning instruments to decontamination?
N N N N N
Send the contents of the tray to Biomedical Engineering.
N N N N N N N N
Visually inspect the instruments.
N N N
Inform Central Sterile that the instruments need inspection.
N N N N N N N
Assemble the instruments that have not been used. - ANS >> Visually inspect the instruments.
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rationale: The first thing that needs to be done is to visually inspect the instruments for cracks or
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
breakage. The case is over, so the instruments do not need assembled. Central Sterile can be
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
