NCCT PRACTICE EXAM PREMINARY QUESTIONS LATEST 2025-2026
REAL EXAM 160 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|DETAILED
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview:
This updated edition is fully aligned with the latest NCCT exam standards. It reinforces
essential knowledge areas, test-taking strategies, and critical thinking skills to build confidence
and mastery before exam day.
Key Features:
160 authentic exam-based questions with verified correct answers.
Detailed rationales for every answer to explain reasoning and enhance learning.
A+ graded quality for accuracy and dependability.
Full coverage of NCCT exam content domains, including:
o Anatomy & Physiology
o Medical Terminology
o Infection Control & Asepsis
o Surgical Instruments & Procedures
o Pharmacology & Anesthesia Basics
o Patient Care & Safety Standards
Purpose:
Strengthen knowledge of core NCCT exam topics.
Provide realistic practice questions with explanations to build confidence.
Ensure exam readiness and improve chances of first-time success.
Recommended For:
Students preparing for the NCCT Surgical Technologist or Medical Assistant exams.
Candidates seeking a structured and thorough review tool.
Instructors and trainers needing a dependable question bank with rationales for
learners.
What are two identifying factors the surgical technologist should always communicate to the circulator
when handing off a specimen?
A. Identity and origin location of the specimen
B. Temperature and texture of the specimen
C. Color and size of the specimen
,D. Time removed from the body and identity of the specimen
A. Identity and origin location of the specimen
Rationale: The surgical technologist must confirm the identity of the specimen, the location of the
specimen, and where it has been removed from while passing it off to the circulating nurse for
documentation purposes. This information will be recorded into the patient’s operative record and is a
legal document.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a A.
skin graft.
B. cataract surgery.
C. TURP.
D. fractured femur EX Fix.
A. skin graft.
Rationale: The skin graft requires a pressure dressing—a three-layer dressing for the absorption of
excessive drainage used to promote wound healing. The other surgeries do not require a pressure
dressing.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling bilaterally. The
most likely cause of the patient’s discomfort is that the surgical technologist forgot to A. place the
axillary roll.
B. adduct the arm.
C. abduct the arm.
D. place arm pads.
D. place arm pads.
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used during the
lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar nerve. The arms
are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
When applying a cast, which of the following items are essential? Select the three (3) correct answers.
A. Water
B. Cotton padding
C. Plaster
D. Coban
E. Saline
,A. Water
B. Cotton padding
C. Plaster
Rationale: A cotton padding needs to be applied to the extremity before the cast can be applied. The
plaster is then put in lukewarm water so it can be applied to the extremity. Coban is used to support a
dressing. Saline would not be used to submerge the plaster roll.
Which retractor is self-retaining?
A. Army/Navy
B. Senn
C. Deaver
D. Weitlander
D. Weitlander
Rationale: A Weitlander is a sharp or dull self-retaining retractor.
Which of the following criteria should be taken into consideration when putting on surgical gowns and
gloves? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. Cuff placement in gloves
B. Size of the surgeon's gown
C. Proximity to unsterile items
D. Orientation of surgical gown
A. Cuff placement in gloves
C. Proximity to unsterile items
D. Orientation of surgical gown
Rationale: Much attention must be given to putting surgical gowns and gloves on in a specific order and
manner to maintain sterility for the sterile team members.
Which is an appropriate retractor for an abdominal hysterectomy?
A. o'sullivan-o'conner retractor
B. senn retractor
C. green retractor
D. spring retractor
, A. o'sullivan-o'conner retractor
Rationale: An o'sullivan-o'conner retractor is adjustable and can retract multiple layers of tissue for ease
of manipulation during abdominal surgery.
When donning another sterile surgical team member, which item should be put on FIRST?
A. Undergloves
B. Eye protection
C. Gown
D. Overgloves
C. Gown
Rationale: The gown must be donned prior to putting on sterile gloves.
The surgical technologist has just finished an incision and drainage (I&D) of a patient with MRSA. The
surgical technologist should,
A. change their scrubs, and return to the room to setup for the next case
B. change their scrubs, terminally clean the room, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case
C. change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the next case
D. terminally clean the room, change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case.
D. terminally clean the room, change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case.
REAL EXAM 160 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|DETAILED
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview:
This updated edition is fully aligned with the latest NCCT exam standards. It reinforces
essential knowledge areas, test-taking strategies, and critical thinking skills to build confidence
and mastery before exam day.
Key Features:
160 authentic exam-based questions with verified correct answers.
Detailed rationales for every answer to explain reasoning and enhance learning.
A+ graded quality for accuracy and dependability.
Full coverage of NCCT exam content domains, including:
o Anatomy & Physiology
o Medical Terminology
o Infection Control & Asepsis
o Surgical Instruments & Procedures
o Pharmacology & Anesthesia Basics
o Patient Care & Safety Standards
Purpose:
Strengthen knowledge of core NCCT exam topics.
Provide realistic practice questions with explanations to build confidence.
Ensure exam readiness and improve chances of first-time success.
Recommended For:
Students preparing for the NCCT Surgical Technologist or Medical Assistant exams.
Candidates seeking a structured and thorough review tool.
Instructors and trainers needing a dependable question bank with rationales for
learners.
What are two identifying factors the surgical technologist should always communicate to the circulator
when handing off a specimen?
A. Identity and origin location of the specimen
B. Temperature and texture of the specimen
C. Color and size of the specimen
,D. Time removed from the body and identity of the specimen
A. Identity and origin location of the specimen
Rationale: The surgical technologist must confirm the identity of the specimen, the location of the
specimen, and where it has been removed from while passing it off to the circulating nurse for
documentation purposes. This information will be recorded into the patient’s operative record and is a
legal document.
A pressure dressing is most likely applied over a A.
skin graft.
B. cataract surgery.
C. TURP.
D. fractured femur EX Fix.
A. skin graft.
Rationale: The skin graft requires a pressure dressing—a three-layer dressing for the absorption of
excessive drainage used to promote wound healing. The other surgeries do not require a pressure
dressing.
Postoperatively a hernia repair patient complains of ulnar pain, numbness and tingling bilaterally. The
most likely cause of the patient’s discomfort is that the surgical technologist forgot to A. place the
axillary roll.
B. adduct the arm.
C. abduct the arm.
D. place arm pads.
D. place arm pads.
Rationale: Adduction/abduction are motions performed during surgery. Axillary rolls are used during the
lateral position. Arm pads are used throughout surgery to prevent damage to the ulnar nerve. The arms
are placed on arm boards with the palm facing upwards.
When applying a cast, which of the following items are essential? Select the three (3) correct answers.
A. Water
B. Cotton padding
C. Plaster
D. Coban
E. Saline
,A. Water
B. Cotton padding
C. Plaster
Rationale: A cotton padding needs to be applied to the extremity before the cast can be applied. The
plaster is then put in lukewarm water so it can be applied to the extremity. Coban is used to support a
dressing. Saline would not be used to submerge the plaster roll.
Which retractor is self-retaining?
A. Army/Navy
B. Senn
C. Deaver
D. Weitlander
D. Weitlander
Rationale: A Weitlander is a sharp or dull self-retaining retractor.
Which of the following criteria should be taken into consideration when putting on surgical gowns and
gloves? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. Cuff placement in gloves
B. Size of the surgeon's gown
C. Proximity to unsterile items
D. Orientation of surgical gown
A. Cuff placement in gloves
C. Proximity to unsterile items
D. Orientation of surgical gown
Rationale: Much attention must be given to putting surgical gowns and gloves on in a specific order and
manner to maintain sterility for the sterile team members.
Which is an appropriate retractor for an abdominal hysterectomy?
A. o'sullivan-o'conner retractor
B. senn retractor
C. green retractor
D. spring retractor
, A. o'sullivan-o'conner retractor
Rationale: An o'sullivan-o'conner retractor is adjustable and can retract multiple layers of tissue for ease
of manipulation during abdominal surgery.
When donning another sterile surgical team member, which item should be put on FIRST?
A. Undergloves
B. Eye protection
C. Gown
D. Overgloves
C. Gown
Rationale: The gown must be donned prior to putting on sterile gloves.
The surgical technologist has just finished an incision and drainage (I&D) of a patient with MRSA. The
surgical technologist should,
A. change their scrubs, and return to the room to setup for the next case
B. change their scrubs, terminally clean the room, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case
C. change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the next case
D. terminally clean the room, change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case.
D. terminally clean the room, change their scrubs, perform another hand/arm scrub, then set up for the
next case.
