TS-C STUDY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the Minimum temperature for killing microorganisms in a pre-vac sterilizer? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅270F
During a TKA, a critical instrument required to complete the procedure is accidentally dropped on the
floor. In accordance with Joint Commission standards, which sterilization method should be used before
the instrument can be safely used? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Autoclaving
What degree of scope is used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅30
degrees
Assuming all healthcare providers came out at the same time after scrubbing, which is the FIRST person
to be gowned & gloved ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Surgeon
The circulator begins a time out for a right total hip. The SGT is set up for a left total hip. What is the
FIRST action the SGT should take ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Interrupt the time out & address the
discrepancy
The surgical team is performing a hernia repair when the surgeon asks for the mesh to reinforce the
closure of the defect. The circulator opens the peel packed item. Before accepting it, the SGT notices the
mesh is past its expiration date on the package. What action should the SGT take? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Request that the surgeon reconsider use of the mesh because of the expiration issue
Which of the following is the MOST common source of ignition in the operation room? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Electrosurgical generators
When transferring the patient, the site of the surgical drain is experiencing acute swelling after initial
placement. Swelling is getting more prevalent & the surgical team needs to be notified because... -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The drain occluded
Which of the following situations would be classified as a sentinel event? Choose 3 - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅1. A medication error
2. Surgery on the wrong body part
,3. A pt falling off the OR table
Which of the following is a possible post-op complication of waking up the surgical pt ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Airway obstruction
Which of the following is the MOST common scope used in genitourinary surgery ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Cystoscope
Which of the following hemostatic agents is in powder form & must be kept dry ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Avitene
*shows pictures of drains* - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Pleuravac
After a laparotomy the surgeon is about to close the peritoneum. Which of the following actions should
be taken by the SGT prior to passing the Prolene suture to the surgeon ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Pull it out and stretch it to release memory
Which is the correct pre-vacuum IUSS/ flash sterilization cycle for an unwrapped, non-porous solid
instrument ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅3 minutes at 270F
During surgery, which fluid is used to moisten a sponge and wipe off soiled instruments ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Sterile water
During an open cholecystectomy, the surgeon exposes the gallbladder in a routine manner. The surgeon
asks the SGT to put traction on the gallbladder while retracting the liver. Which of the following should
the SGT be ready to use ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Kocher clamp & Harrington retractor
While the surgeon & first assist are discussing next steps, the SGT notices that the ESU machine's cord is
frayed near the plug that is inserted into the electrical wall socket. The SGT should ... - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅ask the circulator to obtain a new ESU to replace the defective one
, During an operation, the surgeon request a suture for internal anatomy on a spinal fusion. Clear fluid is
suctioned into the tubing. In addition, the surgeon considers admitting the pt rather than sending the pt
home. Pt returns 3 days later due to extreme migraines, photophobia & needing a consistently quiet
environment. Which type of tear likely caused the clear fluid ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Dura
Which of the following is an example of a self-retaining retractor ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Balfour
retractor
During a lesion removal of the larynx using a laser, what is the responsibility of the SGT to ensure fire
safety in this procedure ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Drape the pt's face with protective moistened
towels
The surgeon has just resected a tumor in the duodenum. Which of the following stapling devices should
the SGT anticipate passing for the anastomoses ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅GIA aka Gastrointestinal
anastomosis
During an emergent procedure, the main blood supply to an organ has been transected. Which of the
following should be the NEXT course of action for the SGT? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Give the
surgeon a vascular clamp
When a SGT is removing drapes at the end of a procedure, which of the following is the HIGHEST priority
regarding pt safety? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Avoiding drains & catheters
Which of the following forceps are typically used when using skin sutures or staples ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Adsons with teeth
Once the pt has left the room, which of the following should the SGT do FIRST? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅breakdown the sharps, instruments & supplies
Which of the following is the MAXIMUM level to which a sharps container should be filled ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅2/3 full
What is the Minimum temperature for killing microorganisms in a pre-vac sterilizer? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅270F
During a TKA, a critical instrument required to complete the procedure is accidentally dropped on the
floor. In accordance with Joint Commission standards, which sterilization method should be used before
the instrument can be safely used? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Autoclaving
What degree of scope is used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅30
degrees
Assuming all healthcare providers came out at the same time after scrubbing, which is the FIRST person
to be gowned & gloved ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Surgeon
The circulator begins a time out for a right total hip. The SGT is set up for a left total hip. What is the
FIRST action the SGT should take ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Interrupt the time out & address the
discrepancy
The surgical team is performing a hernia repair when the surgeon asks for the mesh to reinforce the
closure of the defect. The circulator opens the peel packed item. Before accepting it, the SGT notices the
mesh is past its expiration date on the package. What action should the SGT take? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Request that the surgeon reconsider use of the mesh because of the expiration issue
Which of the following is the MOST common source of ignition in the operation room? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Electrosurgical generators
When transferring the patient, the site of the surgical drain is experiencing acute swelling after initial
placement. Swelling is getting more prevalent & the surgical team needs to be notified because... -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The drain occluded
Which of the following situations would be classified as a sentinel event? Choose 3 - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅1. A medication error
2. Surgery on the wrong body part
,3. A pt falling off the OR table
Which of the following is a possible post-op complication of waking up the surgical pt ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Airway obstruction
Which of the following is the MOST common scope used in genitourinary surgery ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Cystoscope
Which of the following hemostatic agents is in powder form & must be kept dry ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Avitene
*shows pictures of drains* - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Pleuravac
After a laparotomy the surgeon is about to close the peritoneum. Which of the following actions should
be taken by the SGT prior to passing the Prolene suture to the surgeon ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Pull it out and stretch it to release memory
Which is the correct pre-vacuum IUSS/ flash sterilization cycle for an unwrapped, non-porous solid
instrument ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅3 minutes at 270F
During surgery, which fluid is used to moisten a sponge and wipe off soiled instruments ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Sterile water
During an open cholecystectomy, the surgeon exposes the gallbladder in a routine manner. The surgeon
asks the SGT to put traction on the gallbladder while retracting the liver. Which of the following should
the SGT be ready to use ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Kocher clamp & Harrington retractor
While the surgeon & first assist are discussing next steps, the SGT notices that the ESU machine's cord is
frayed near the plug that is inserted into the electrical wall socket. The SGT should ... - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅ask the circulator to obtain a new ESU to replace the defective one
, During an operation, the surgeon request a suture for internal anatomy on a spinal fusion. Clear fluid is
suctioned into the tubing. In addition, the surgeon considers admitting the pt rather than sending the pt
home. Pt returns 3 days later due to extreme migraines, photophobia & needing a consistently quiet
environment. Which type of tear likely caused the clear fluid ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Dura
Which of the following is an example of a self-retaining retractor ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Balfour
retractor
During a lesion removal of the larynx using a laser, what is the responsibility of the SGT to ensure fire
safety in this procedure ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Drape the pt's face with protective moistened
towels
The surgeon has just resected a tumor in the duodenum. Which of the following stapling devices should
the SGT anticipate passing for the anastomoses ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅GIA aka Gastrointestinal
anastomosis
During an emergent procedure, the main blood supply to an organ has been transected. Which of the
following should be the NEXT course of action for the SGT? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Give the
surgeon a vascular clamp
When a SGT is removing drapes at the end of a procedure, which of the following is the HIGHEST priority
regarding pt safety? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Avoiding drains & catheters
Which of the following forceps are typically used when using skin sutures or staples ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅Adsons with teeth
Once the pt has left the room, which of the following should the SGT do FIRST? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅breakdown the sharps, instruments & supplies
Which of the following is the MAXIMUM level to which a sharps container should be filled ? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅2/3 full
