Surgical Technology Certification Exam–
Questions With Proven Solutions
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were
not on the preference card be opened during the repair of a large
umbilical hernia. The surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the
surgeon or the unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are
responsible for adding hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and
suture are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to
the procedure and should be added to the preference card Correct
Answer - D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical
team when working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone
cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts
negatively with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt
contact lenses and cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because
polymethyl methacrylate and latex have the same chemical
properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can
negatively interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. Correct
Answer - B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-
vacuum sterilizer before using it?
a. Gravity
,b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator Correct Answer - C
What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for
unwrapped instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes Correct Answer - B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash
sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) Correct Answer - A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the
chamber of a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all
spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues Correct Answer - A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the
following chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid Correct Answer - A
,[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with
a minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors Correct Answer - B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the
following tests should be given to inspect the proper function of the
endoscope and to ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test Correct Answer - A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat Correct Answer - B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum
sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F Correct Answer - D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor
the efficiency of the high - vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
b. DART test
, c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test Correct Answer - B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date Correct Answer - B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly Correct Answer - C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month Correct Answer - A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of
the following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
d. that the sterilizer is ready to process instruments Correct
Answer - B
lot control numbers should be placed on each package sterilized and
on the...
a. sterilizer maintenance record
Questions With Proven Solutions
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were
not on the preference card be opened during the repair of a large
umbilical hernia. The surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the
surgeon or the unit clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are
responsible for adding hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and
suture are case dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to
the procedure and should be added to the preference card Correct
Answer - D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical
team when working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone
cement?
a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts
negatively with latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt
contact lenses and cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because
polymethyl methacrylate and latex have the same chemical
properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can
negatively interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. Correct
Answer - B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-
vacuum sterilizer before using it?
a. Gravity
,b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator Correct Answer - C
What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for
unwrapped instruments?
a. 1 minute
b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes Correct Answer - B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash
sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) Correct Answer - A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the
chamber of a steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all
spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues Correct Answer - A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the
following chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid Correct Answer - A
,[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with
a minimum exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors Correct Answer - B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the
following tests should be given to inspect the proper function of the
endoscope and to ensure that it can be properly sterilized?
a. leak test
b. electrical component test
c. bacteria swab test
d. fiber optic light test Correct Answer - A
Which of the following is the fastest method of sterilization?
a. gas
b. steam
c. steris
d. dry heat Correct Answer - B
Which of the following is the correct temperature for pre-vacuum
sterilization?
a. 212*F
b. 170*F
c. 300*F
d. 270*F Correct Answer - D
Which of the following tests is specifically meant to test and monitor
the efficiency of the high - vacuum steam sterilizer?
a. biological indicator test
b. DART test
, c. chemical indicator test
d. EtO test Correct Answer - B
DART test = Bowie Dick test
The surgical team must verify each package is properly labeled with
a. date of processing and method of sterilization
b. date of processing and indicator
c. method of sterilization and expiration date
d. indicator and expiration date Correct Answer - B
How many times a day should a DART test be preformed?
a. with every load
b. every shift change
c. once every 24 hours
d. weekly Correct Answer - C
How often must a biological control test be run?
a. every day
b. every cycle
c. once a week
d. once a month Correct Answer - A
[pg. 163]
The Bowie-Dick test for pre-vacuum sterilizers checks for which of
the following conditions?
a. that the appropriate steam level was reached
b. air leaks in the sterilizer chamber
c. broken sterilizer jacket
d. that the sterilizer is ready to process instruments Correct
Answer - B
lot control numbers should be placed on each package sterilized and
on the...
a. sterilizer maintenance record
