CST - NBSTSA EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Tympanosplasty - ANS Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum
(tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep
the patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - ANS Regown and
reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - ANS Lateral
What is the kraske position? - ANS Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with
hips flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - ANS Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up?
- ANS Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - ANS A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the
operative site
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist
was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is
scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of action? - ANS New sterile supplies and
instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless
field? - ANS Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - ANS Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - ANS Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - ANS Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile
because they are: - ANS Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should
be: - ANS Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - ANS Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - ANS Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - ANS Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of
suture? - ANS Purse-string
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - ANS Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - ANS Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - ANS Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - ANS Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - ANS Placed in separate containers and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient
in the operating room? - ANS Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should
first notify the: - ANS Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be
counted by the: - ANS Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - ANS Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? -
ANS Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? -
ANS Cholangiography
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - ANS Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? -
ANS Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - ANS Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth
and around the bar? - ANS 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
ANS Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? -
ANS Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - ANS De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - ANS Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - ANS Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: -
ANS Track amount of irrigation used
4 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
AND ANSWERS
Tympanosplasty - ANS Surgical operation performed for the reconstruction of the eardrum
(tympanic membrane) and/or small bones of the middle ear (ossicles)
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the Duraprep applicator and proceeds to prep
the patient for surgery. What is the best action to take at this time? - ANS Regown and
reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - ANS Lateral
What is the kraske position? - ANS Anatomical position in which the patient is prone, with
hips flexed and elevated, head and feet down.
Which position is correct for a dilation and curettage? - ANS Lithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal set-up?
- ANS Gastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - ANS A drape with an opening that allows exposure of the
operative site
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR one. A surgical technologist
was just informed that the case has been moved to OR two and the next case in OR one is
scheduled in two hours. What is the best course of action? - ANS New sterile supplies and
instruments should be obtained for OR two and the setup in OR one should be disposed of
What is the first step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet necessary in creating a bloodless
field? - ANS Padding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - ANS Satinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - ANS Magnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - ANS Left lateral kidney
Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile
because they are: - ANS Absorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should
be: - ANS Placed in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? - ANS Allen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - ANS Re-establish the negative pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - ANS Hold the duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of
suture? - ANS Purse-string
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - ANS Fogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - ANS Transurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - ANS Weitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - ANS Adaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - ANS Placed in separate containers and identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the patient
in the operating room? - ANS Sigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role should
first notify the: - ANS Contaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be
counted by the: - ANS Surgical technologist in the scrub role and the circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - ANS Rhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? -
ANS Kerrison
Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? -
ANS Cholangiography
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument needed for the
removal of the lamina is a: - ANS Kerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency? -
ANS Remain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - ANS Kirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the teeth
and around the bar? - ANS 25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
ANS Lugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? -
ANS Irrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - ANS De Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - ANS Drain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - ANS Mediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: -
ANS Track amount of irrigation used
4 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
