AST Certification Exam Study
Guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Teeth - Answer: Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - Answer: Category of a surgical procedure entering the GI/GU/Resp tracts (
increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - Answer: Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the
brachial tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - Answer: A solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before
cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - Answer: How should the patient be placed in the elevator when
being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - Answer: A curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen used frequently
in gynecological procedures
,Flat - Answer: Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the
sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - Answer: Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can cause cardiac
irregularities
Potassium - Answer: Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects the cells volume, it's
balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount affects cell metabolism
Curved Mayo - Answer: Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and
muscle
Argon - Answer: Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and tissue
Informed consent - Answer: Obtained by the patient before any invasive surgery can be
performed. It protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to
be treated and the intervention to be performed
Cardiac - Answer: Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - Answer: Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and
some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - Answer: Webbing of the digits is termed:
Back table - Answer: Surgical packs are opened:
,Islets of Langerhans - Answer: Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon, insulin, somatostatin
and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - Answer: Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - Answer: Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal of a
tooth
Escherichia coli - Answer: Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the
intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - Answer: The skin is rendered after a properly performed surgical scrub is done
Ampulla of Vator - Answer: The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - Answer: Identifies the patient on their ID bracelet prior to being
transported to the OR
Spirilli - Answer: spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - Answer: Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - Answer: Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning
of lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct
beam of ionizing radiation - Answer: Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure
, Duodenum - Answer: Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - Answer: Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - Answer: Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted by arthropod vectors
Colposcopy - Answer: Procedure using binocular microscope during an examination of the
vagina
Tamponade - Answer: Compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium
Arthrocentesis - Answer: Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle to remove fluid
-centesis - Answer: surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - Answer: joint
Cecum - Answer: The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - Answer: Test that determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
Mydriatics - Answer: Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens
Supine - Answer: Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement procedure
Guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Teeth - Answer: Located in the sockets of the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxillae
Clean-contaminated - Answer: Category of a surgical procedure entering the GI/GU/Resp tracts (
increased risk due to the bacteria we have there)
Clean-contaminated - Answer: Bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the
brachial tube is considered what category of a procedure
Alpha-chymotrypsin - Answer: A solution used to soften the zonules holding the lens before
cataract surgery to ease extraction of the lens
Enter head first, exit feet first - Answer: How should the patient be placed in the elevator when
being transported to the OR on the stretcher?
Pfannenstiel - Answer: A curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen used frequently
in gynecological procedures
,Flat - Answer: Metal trays that are perforated or have a mesh bottom should be placed on the
sterilizing cart:
Hyperkalmia - Answer: Excessive amount of potassium in the blood, can cause cardiac
irregularities
Potassium - Answer: Influences the electrical excitability of cells, effects the cells volume, it's
balance is important in maintaining the acid-base balance, the amount affects cell metabolism
Curved Mayo - Answer: Type of scissors used to cut tough tissue, such as fascia, tendons and
muscle
Argon - Answer: Type of laser that can travel through clear fluids and tissue
Informed consent - Answer: Obtained by the patient before any invasive surgery can be
performed. It protects the patient because it verifies that he/she understands the condition to
be treated and the intervention to be performed
Cardiac - Answer: Portion of the stomach that surrounds the superior opening of the stomach
Spores and M. tuberculosis - Answer: Low-level disinfectants kill most types of bacteria and
some fungi and viruses, but does not kill:
Syndactyly - Answer: Webbing of the digits is termed:
Back table - Answer: Surgical packs are opened:
,Islets of Langerhans - Answer: Located in the pancreas, secretes glucagon, insulin, somatostatin
and pancreatic polypeptide
Extraction - Answer: Removal of teeth
Odontectomy - Answer: Resection of the bone surrounding the tooth prior to the removal of a
tooth
Escherichia coli - Answer: Gram negative rod bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the
intestinal tract of humans and is an opportunistic bacterial
Surgically clean - Answer: The skin is rendered after a properly performed surgical scrub is done
Ampulla of Vator - Answer: The pancreatic ducts join and distal end of the common bile duct
Name, date of birth, physician - Answer: Identifies the patient on their ID bracelet prior to being
transported to the OR
Spirilli - Answer: spiral shaped bacteria
Gallbladder - Answer: Stores bile until it is needed in the small intestine
Circulator - Answer: Not part of the sterile team in the OR
Time relates to the length of time the surgical technologist is exposed, shielding is the donning
of lead aprons, and distance is standing as far away as possible out of the path of the direct
beam of ionizing radiation - Answer: Three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure
, Duodenum - Answer: Starts at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach
Lateral - Answer: Position used patients undergoing kidney surgery to expose the operative site
Rickettsiae - Answer: Obligated intracellular parasites usually transmitted by arthropod vectors
Colposcopy - Answer: Procedure using binocular microscope during an examination of the
vagina
Tamponade - Answer: Compression of the heart due to a collection of blood or fluid within the
pericardium
Arthrocentesis - Answer: Surgical puncture of a joint space with a needle to remove fluid
-centesis - Answer: surgical puncture to remove fluid
Arthro- - Answer: joint
Cecum - Answer: The appendix is attached to
Gram stain - Answer: Test that determines the shape and grouping characteristics of bacteria
Mydriatics - Answer: Dilates the pupil for examination of the retina, refraction testing, or easier
removal of the lens
Supine - Answer: Optimal surgical position for a mitral valve replacement procedure
