NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist Self-
Assessment Exam A&B – Questions With
Comprehensive Solutions
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 practice, which of the following should be the
NEXT step?
tear it down.
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 - A.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 Webri
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 is a tenaculum with
a single tooth or a vulsellum with a double tooth.
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
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in
an unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A.The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B.The patient's family requests it be continued.
C.The surgeon requests its be continued.
D.The CRNA requests it be continued Correct Answer - A.The
patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
, A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy.
Which of the following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at
this point in the procedure?
A.to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B.to maintain the core body temperature
C.to eliminate any infection-causing microbes
D.to aid visual inspection for leakage Correct Answer - D.to aid
visual inspection for leakage
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is
A.5-10.
B.15-25.
C.30-35.
D.40-50. Correct Answer - B.15-25
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of
specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted
A.histology
B.laboratory
C.pathology
D.radiology Correct Answer - C.pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of
the following is the proper procedure for the care of the dentures?
A.Return them to the patient's unit and leave them at the nurses'
station.
B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient's chart.
C.Wrap them in a paper towel and give them to the anesthesiologist.
D.Ask the circulator to return them to the patient's room. Correct
Answer - B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the
patient's chart.
Assessment Exam A&B – Questions With
Comprehensive Solutions
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 practice, which of the following should be the
NEXT step?
tear it down.
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 - A.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 Webri
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 is a tenaculum with
a single tooth or a vulsellum with a double tooth.
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
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in
an unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A.The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B.The patient's family requests it be continued.
C.The surgeon requests its be continued.
D.The CRNA requests it be continued Correct Answer - A.The
patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
, A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy.
Which of the following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at
this point in the procedure?
A.to clean out the area of any loose tissue
B.to maintain the core body temperature
C.to eliminate any infection-causing microbes
D.to aid visual inspection for leakage Correct Answer - D.to aid
visual inspection for leakage
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is
A.5-10.
B.15-25.
C.30-35.
D.40-50. Correct Answer - B.15-25
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of
specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted
A.histology
B.laboratory
C.pathology
D.radiology Correct Answer - C.pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of
the following is the proper procedure for the care of the dentures?
A.Return them to the patient's unit and leave them at the nurses'
station.
B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient's chart.
C.Wrap them in a paper towel and give them to the anesthesiologist.
D.Ask the circulator to return them to the patient's room. Correct
Answer - B.Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the
patient's chart.
