AST SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST CST PRACTICE EXAM
WITH ALL CORRECT & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus Correct answer-A. Raney
The local freezing of diseased tissue to facilitate removal without bleeding is:
a. Cryosurgery
b. Electrocautery
c. Diathermy
d. harmonic scalpel Correct answer-A. Cryosurgery
In severe aortic stenosis, all of the following are indications of valve replacement except?
a. Myocardial ischemia
b. Left ventricle hypertrophy
c. Palpitations
d. Angina Correct answer-C. Palpitations
In the event a child requires emergency surgery, but the parents cannot be located to sign the
surgical consent:
a. Consent is signed by a court of law
b. Consent is signed by two consulting physicians
c. No consent is required
d. Consent is signed by the surgeon Correct answer-b. Consent is signed by two consulting
physicians
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization destroys microbes by the process of:
a. alkylation
b. Osmosis
c. Oxidation
d. Cavitation Correct answer-a. Alkylation
What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm?
a. Thrombus
b. Embolus
c. Atherosclerosis
d. Hypotension Correct answer-C. Atherosclerosis
What is used to determine the position of cannulated screws during repair of a femoral neck
fracture?
a. Broach
b. Guide pins
c. Canal reamer
d. ruler Correct answer-B. Guide pins
The instruments show below are used to dilate the:
a. urethra
b. cervix
,c. Coronary artery
d. Intranasal antrostomy Correct answer-B. cervix
Prior to being placed in the Eto sterilizer, items must:
a. Not be heat sensitive
b. Be lubricated with oil
c. Have residual water on their surface
d. Be completely dry Correct answer-D. Be completely dry
During general anesthesia induction, which sense is the last to be experienced by the patient?
a. Touch
b. Taste
c. Hearing
d. Smell Correct answer-C. Hearing
The purpose of creating an arteriovenous fistula is for:
a. Lavage
b. Chemotherapy
c. Hemodialysis
d. Hemostasis Correct answer-C. Hemodialysis
What nerve is at greater risk during a thyriodectomy?
a. Cervical sympathetic chain
b. Inferior laryngeal
c. Vagus
d. Recurrent laryngeal Correct answer-D. Recurrent laryngeal
Which nerve could be compressed against the humerus in the prone position?
a. Peroneal
b. Tibial
c. Brachial
d. Radial Correct answer-D. Radial
What is the surgical procedure for reducing testosterone in prostate cancer?
a. Vasectomy
b. Varicocelectomy
c. Hydrocelectomy
d. Orchiectomy Correct answer-d. Orchiectomy
What is the name of the retractor shown below?
a. Deaver
b. Harrington
c. Kelly
d. Richardson
see page 163 for photo Correct answer-B. Harrington
If the broth in the steam sterilization biological indicator is yellow after incubation, what action to be
taken?
a. Indicates autoclave chamber needs cleaning
b. Items must be immediately recalled
c. No action necessary
,d. Sterile items should be immediately used Correct answer-b. Items must be immediately recalled
A specimen that is 5 centimeters is equal to:
a. 4 inches
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 5 inches Correct answer-B. 2 inches
2.54 centimeters is equal to 1 inch; therefore 5 centimeters is about 2 inches.
Which of the following vessels arises from the right ventricle of the heart?
a. Descending aorta
b. Ascending aorta
c. Pulmonary vein
d. Pulmonary artery Correct answer-d. Pulmonary artery
The instrument below is used to:
a. Split muscle
b. Resect tendon
c. Extend incision
d. Cut bone Correct answer-D. Cut bone
The Lambotte osteotome is available in varying widths and lengths and has a sharp end making it
ideal for cutting bone.
Which area is prepped first when performing the skin prep for a skin grafting procedure?
a. Donor site
b. Only recipient site
c. Both sites together
d. Recipient site Correct answer-A. Donor site
Which of the following has legal significance in the mishandling of a bullet?
a. Damage to tissue while removing specimen
b. Contaminating the specimen
c. Damaging ballistic markings
d. Tearing surgical gloves Correct answer-C. Damaging ballistic markings
Which of the following procedures requires preoperative high-level disinfection of the endoscope?
a. Bronchoscopy
b. Laparoscopy
c. Mediastinoscopy
d. Thoracoscopy Correct answer-A. Bronchoscopy
Which of the following maintains the position of the uterus?
a. Broad ligament
b. Suspensory ligament
c. Levator muscle
d. Pubic symphysis Correct answer-A. Broad ligament
What device would the surgeon use to preserve facial motor and sensory functions during a
parotidectomy?
A. Ultrasound transducer
b. Mass spectrometer
, c. Dopper probe
d. Nerve stimulator Correct answer-D. Nerve stimulator
if the surgeon uses a knife blade to incise the oral mucosa, the preferred blade is:
a. 20
B. 10
c. 11
d. 12 Correct answer-d. 12
One option for the cold dissection of the tonsils is the use of the #12 knife blade
The gravity steam sterilization process can be rendered ineffective if the:
a. Air is removed
b. Steam quality is 97%
c. Temperature is below 250deg
d. Packs are loosely arranged on cart Correct answer-c. Temperature is below 250deg
A suture used to retract a structure to the side of the operative field is a/an:
a. Retention suture
b. Traction suture
c. Bolster suture
d. Primary suture Correct answer-b. Traction suture
What must the circulating surgical technologist to when placing the patient in the supine position?
a. Confirm ankles are not crossed
b. Place rolls under the axillae
c. Confirm chest is not compromised
d. Place a pillow between the knees Correct answer-a. Confirm angles are not crossed
What body system aids in the metastatic spread of cancer cells?
a. Lymphatic
b. Reproductive
c. Respiratory
d. Limbic Correct answer-a. Lymphatic
Which of the following is inserted into the symphonic membrane incision during a myringotomy?
a. Fascial graft
b. PE tube
c. Tympanostomy tubes
d. Speculum Correct answer-b. PE tube
Ventilation or pressure equalizing (PE) tube is inserted into the incision to facilitate pressure
equalization
Which organelle contains digestive juices?
a. Ribosome
b. Lysosome
c. Mitochondria
d. Nucleus Correct answer-b. Lysosome
During a thyriodectomy, if all parathyroid glands are accidentally removed, what complications will
occur?
a. Tetany
WITH ALL CORRECT & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus Correct answer-A. Raney
The local freezing of diseased tissue to facilitate removal without bleeding is:
a. Cryosurgery
b. Electrocautery
c. Diathermy
d. harmonic scalpel Correct answer-A. Cryosurgery
In severe aortic stenosis, all of the following are indications of valve replacement except?
a. Myocardial ischemia
b. Left ventricle hypertrophy
c. Palpitations
d. Angina Correct answer-C. Palpitations
In the event a child requires emergency surgery, but the parents cannot be located to sign the
surgical consent:
a. Consent is signed by a court of law
b. Consent is signed by two consulting physicians
c. No consent is required
d. Consent is signed by the surgeon Correct answer-b. Consent is signed by two consulting
physicians
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization destroys microbes by the process of:
a. alkylation
b. Osmosis
c. Oxidation
d. Cavitation Correct answer-a. Alkylation
What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm?
a. Thrombus
b. Embolus
c. Atherosclerosis
d. Hypotension Correct answer-C. Atherosclerosis
What is used to determine the position of cannulated screws during repair of a femoral neck
fracture?
a. Broach
b. Guide pins
c. Canal reamer
d. ruler Correct answer-B. Guide pins
The instruments show below are used to dilate the:
a. urethra
b. cervix
,c. Coronary artery
d. Intranasal antrostomy Correct answer-B. cervix
Prior to being placed in the Eto sterilizer, items must:
a. Not be heat sensitive
b. Be lubricated with oil
c. Have residual water on their surface
d. Be completely dry Correct answer-D. Be completely dry
During general anesthesia induction, which sense is the last to be experienced by the patient?
a. Touch
b. Taste
c. Hearing
d. Smell Correct answer-C. Hearing
The purpose of creating an arteriovenous fistula is for:
a. Lavage
b. Chemotherapy
c. Hemodialysis
d. Hemostasis Correct answer-C. Hemodialysis
What nerve is at greater risk during a thyriodectomy?
a. Cervical sympathetic chain
b. Inferior laryngeal
c. Vagus
d. Recurrent laryngeal Correct answer-D. Recurrent laryngeal
Which nerve could be compressed against the humerus in the prone position?
a. Peroneal
b. Tibial
c. Brachial
d. Radial Correct answer-D. Radial
What is the surgical procedure for reducing testosterone in prostate cancer?
a. Vasectomy
b. Varicocelectomy
c. Hydrocelectomy
d. Orchiectomy Correct answer-d. Orchiectomy
What is the name of the retractor shown below?
a. Deaver
b. Harrington
c. Kelly
d. Richardson
see page 163 for photo Correct answer-B. Harrington
If the broth in the steam sterilization biological indicator is yellow after incubation, what action to be
taken?
a. Indicates autoclave chamber needs cleaning
b. Items must be immediately recalled
c. No action necessary
,d. Sterile items should be immediately used Correct answer-b. Items must be immediately recalled
A specimen that is 5 centimeters is equal to:
a. 4 inches
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 5 inches Correct answer-B. 2 inches
2.54 centimeters is equal to 1 inch; therefore 5 centimeters is about 2 inches.
Which of the following vessels arises from the right ventricle of the heart?
a. Descending aorta
b. Ascending aorta
c. Pulmonary vein
d. Pulmonary artery Correct answer-d. Pulmonary artery
The instrument below is used to:
a. Split muscle
b. Resect tendon
c. Extend incision
d. Cut bone Correct answer-D. Cut bone
The Lambotte osteotome is available in varying widths and lengths and has a sharp end making it
ideal for cutting bone.
Which area is prepped first when performing the skin prep for a skin grafting procedure?
a. Donor site
b. Only recipient site
c. Both sites together
d. Recipient site Correct answer-A. Donor site
Which of the following has legal significance in the mishandling of a bullet?
a. Damage to tissue while removing specimen
b. Contaminating the specimen
c. Damaging ballistic markings
d. Tearing surgical gloves Correct answer-C. Damaging ballistic markings
Which of the following procedures requires preoperative high-level disinfection of the endoscope?
a. Bronchoscopy
b. Laparoscopy
c. Mediastinoscopy
d. Thoracoscopy Correct answer-A. Bronchoscopy
Which of the following maintains the position of the uterus?
a. Broad ligament
b. Suspensory ligament
c. Levator muscle
d. Pubic symphysis Correct answer-A. Broad ligament
What device would the surgeon use to preserve facial motor and sensory functions during a
parotidectomy?
A. Ultrasound transducer
b. Mass spectrometer
, c. Dopper probe
d. Nerve stimulator Correct answer-D. Nerve stimulator
if the surgeon uses a knife blade to incise the oral mucosa, the preferred blade is:
a. 20
B. 10
c. 11
d. 12 Correct answer-d. 12
One option for the cold dissection of the tonsils is the use of the #12 knife blade
The gravity steam sterilization process can be rendered ineffective if the:
a. Air is removed
b. Steam quality is 97%
c. Temperature is below 250deg
d. Packs are loosely arranged on cart Correct answer-c. Temperature is below 250deg
A suture used to retract a structure to the side of the operative field is a/an:
a. Retention suture
b. Traction suture
c. Bolster suture
d. Primary suture Correct answer-b. Traction suture
What must the circulating surgical technologist to when placing the patient in the supine position?
a. Confirm ankles are not crossed
b. Place rolls under the axillae
c. Confirm chest is not compromised
d. Place a pillow between the knees Correct answer-a. Confirm angles are not crossed
What body system aids in the metastatic spread of cancer cells?
a. Lymphatic
b. Reproductive
c. Respiratory
d. Limbic Correct answer-a. Lymphatic
Which of the following is inserted into the symphonic membrane incision during a myringotomy?
a. Fascial graft
b. PE tube
c. Tympanostomy tubes
d. Speculum Correct answer-b. PE tube
Ventilation or pressure equalizing (PE) tube is inserted into the incision to facilitate pressure
equalization
Which organelle contains digestive juices?
a. Ribosome
b. Lysosome
c. Mitochondria
d. Nucleus Correct answer-b. Lysosome
During a thyriodectomy, if all parathyroid glands are accidentally removed, what complications will
occur?
a. Tetany
