SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SURGICAL
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST VERSION>
Surgical Technology Exam Study Guide: 100 Questions & Answers
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the surgical
technologist in the scrub role during a procedure?
A) Administering medications
B) Maintaining the sterile field
C) Providing pre-operative patient diagnosis
D) Operating the endoscopic camera
Rationale: The foundational duty of the scrub is to create and maintain a sterile
field to prevent surgical site infection (SSI). While they may handle medications on
the field and assist with equipment, their core responsibility is sterility.
2. The surgical technologist notices an unidentifiable liquid spill in the sterile
corridor. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
A) Cover it with a sterile drape.
B) Inform the circulator and clearly mark the area.
C) Ignore it until the case is finished.
D) Clean it with a mop immediately.
Rationale: Patient and team safety is paramount. The circulator is responsible for
managing non-sterile issues in the OR. Marking the hazard prevents slips and falls
while the circulator coordinates its cleanup.
3. Which instrument set should be readily available for a routine laparoscopic
cholecystectomy?
,A) Craniotomy set
B) Major Laparotomy set
C) Minor set
D) Laparoscopic instrument set
Rationale: A laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is performed
using specialized long, slender instruments inserted through trocars. A laparotomy
set is for open abdominal procedures.
4. During a total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon asks for the femoral component.
The surgical technologist should hand them:
A) The bone cement.
B) The trial component.
C) The final prosthetic implant.
D) The pulse lavage.
Rationale: The "component" refers to the final implant. Trials are used for sizing
and fit-checking before the final implant is cemented or press-fit into place.
5. The correct order of the three phases of the intraoperative period is:
A) Prepping, draping, incision
B) Pre-incision, intra-op, post-op
C) Time-out, procedure, closing
D) Pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative
Rationale: These are the standard phases. Pre-op includes from patient entry to
incision; intra-op from incision to closure; post-op from skin closure to patient
exit.
6. Which suture material is non-absorbable and commonly used for sternal
closure or tendon repair?
A) Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
B) Chromic Gut
C) Polydioxanone (PDS)
D) Polyester (Ethibond)
,Rationale: Ethibond is a braided, non-absorbable suture that provides long-term
strength, making it suitable for structures that heal slowly, like bone (sternum)
and tendons.
7. A patient is positioned laterally for a thoracotomy. What is the MOST
important consideration for the surgical technologist when assisting with
positioning?
A) Ensuring the patient's face is comfortable
B) Padding all bony prominences and pressure points
C) Tucking the arms tightly at the patient's sides
D) Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Lateral positioning puts significant pressure on the down-side shoulder,
hip, and knee. Proper padding is critical to prevent nerve damage, skin
breakdown, and compartment syndrome.
8. The primary solution used to prep the cornea and conjunctiva for ophthalmic
surgery is:
A) Chlorhexidine gluconate
B) Povidone-iodine 5-10%
C) Isopropyl Alcohol 70%
D) Hydrogen Peroxide
Rationale: Povidone-iodine is the standard for ocular prep due to its broad-
spectrum efficacy and relative safety for delicate ocular tissues. Chlorhexidine is
toxic to the cornea.
9. Which stapler is designed to transect and staple tissue simultaneously, often
used in lung or bowel resections?
A) Linear Cutter (GIA)
B) Linear Stapler (TA)
C) Skin Stapler
D) Circular Stapler (EEA)
, Rationale: The GIA (Gastrointestinal Anastomosis) stapler places multiple rows of
staples and has a blade that cuts between them, ideal for dividing sections of
hollow organs.
10. Which draping sequence is correct for establishing a sterile field?
A) Incision site first, then surrounding areas
B) Near to far, moving away from the incision
C) Far to near, moving toward the incision
D) It does not matter as long as the area is covered
Rationale: Draping from the intended incision site outward (far to near) ensures
that any drape that is accidentally dragged over a non-sterile area does not
contaminate the immediate surgical site.
11. A "Kelly" clamp is another name for a:
A) Hemostat with transverse serrations
B) Hemostat with longitudinal serrations
C) Tissue forceps with teeth
D) Smooth tissue forceps
Rationale: A "Kelly" is a curved or straight clamp with horizontal serrations
partway down the jaws. A "Crile" is similar but with serrations running the full
length.
12. The surgical technologist is preparing the back table when the circulator
accidentally brushes against the edge. What is the correct action?
A) Consider the entire field contaminated and break it down.
B) Only remove the item the circulator touched.
C) Do nothing, as the edge is considered non-sterile.
D) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel.
Rationale: The edge of the sterile table is considered non-sterile. If an unsterile
person or object touches it, the entire contents are considered contaminated and
must be replaced to maintain asepsis.
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST VERSION>
Surgical Technology Exam Study Guide: 100 Questions & Answers
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the surgical
technologist in the scrub role during a procedure?
A) Administering medications
B) Maintaining the sterile field
C) Providing pre-operative patient diagnosis
D) Operating the endoscopic camera
Rationale: The foundational duty of the scrub is to create and maintain a sterile
field to prevent surgical site infection (SSI). While they may handle medications on
the field and assist with equipment, their core responsibility is sterility.
2. The surgical technologist notices an unidentifiable liquid spill in the sterile
corridor. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
A) Cover it with a sterile drape.
B) Inform the circulator and clearly mark the area.
C) Ignore it until the case is finished.
D) Clean it with a mop immediately.
Rationale: Patient and team safety is paramount. The circulator is responsible for
managing non-sterile issues in the OR. Marking the hazard prevents slips and falls
while the circulator coordinates its cleanup.
3. Which instrument set should be readily available for a routine laparoscopic
cholecystectomy?
,A) Craniotomy set
B) Major Laparotomy set
C) Minor set
D) Laparoscopic instrument set
Rationale: A laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is performed
using specialized long, slender instruments inserted through trocars. A laparotomy
set is for open abdominal procedures.
4. During a total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon asks for the femoral component.
The surgical technologist should hand them:
A) The bone cement.
B) The trial component.
C) The final prosthetic implant.
D) The pulse lavage.
Rationale: The "component" refers to the final implant. Trials are used for sizing
and fit-checking before the final implant is cemented or press-fit into place.
5. The correct order of the three phases of the intraoperative period is:
A) Prepping, draping, incision
B) Pre-incision, intra-op, post-op
C) Time-out, procedure, closing
D) Pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative
Rationale: These are the standard phases. Pre-op includes from patient entry to
incision; intra-op from incision to closure; post-op from skin closure to patient
exit.
6. Which suture material is non-absorbable and commonly used for sternal
closure or tendon repair?
A) Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
B) Chromic Gut
C) Polydioxanone (PDS)
D) Polyester (Ethibond)
,Rationale: Ethibond is a braided, non-absorbable suture that provides long-term
strength, making it suitable for structures that heal slowly, like bone (sternum)
and tendons.
7. A patient is positioned laterally for a thoracotomy. What is the MOST
important consideration for the surgical technologist when assisting with
positioning?
A) Ensuring the patient's face is comfortable
B) Padding all bony prominences and pressure points
C) Tucking the arms tightly at the patient's sides
D) Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Lateral positioning puts significant pressure on the down-side shoulder,
hip, and knee. Proper padding is critical to prevent nerve damage, skin
breakdown, and compartment syndrome.
8. The primary solution used to prep the cornea and conjunctiva for ophthalmic
surgery is:
A) Chlorhexidine gluconate
B) Povidone-iodine 5-10%
C) Isopropyl Alcohol 70%
D) Hydrogen Peroxide
Rationale: Povidone-iodine is the standard for ocular prep due to its broad-
spectrum efficacy and relative safety for delicate ocular tissues. Chlorhexidine is
toxic to the cornea.
9. Which stapler is designed to transect and staple tissue simultaneously, often
used in lung or bowel resections?
A) Linear Cutter (GIA)
B) Linear Stapler (TA)
C) Skin Stapler
D) Circular Stapler (EEA)
, Rationale: The GIA (Gastrointestinal Anastomosis) stapler places multiple rows of
staples and has a blade that cuts between them, ideal for dividing sections of
hollow organs.
10. Which draping sequence is correct for establishing a sterile field?
A) Incision site first, then surrounding areas
B) Near to far, moving away from the incision
C) Far to near, moving toward the incision
D) It does not matter as long as the area is covered
Rationale: Draping from the intended incision site outward (far to near) ensures
that any drape that is accidentally dragged over a non-sterile area does not
contaminate the immediate surgical site.
11. A "Kelly" clamp is another name for a:
A) Hemostat with transverse serrations
B) Hemostat with longitudinal serrations
C) Tissue forceps with teeth
D) Smooth tissue forceps
Rationale: A "Kelly" is a curved or straight clamp with horizontal serrations
partway down the jaws. A "Crile" is similar but with serrations running the full
length.
12. The surgical technologist is preparing the back table when the circulator
accidentally brushes against the edge. What is the correct action?
A) Consider the entire field contaminated and break it down.
B) Only remove the item the circulator touched.
C) Do nothing, as the edge is considered non-sterile.
D) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel.
Rationale: The edge of the sterile table is considered non-sterile. If an unsterile
person or object touches it, the entire contents are considered contaminated and
must be replaced to maintain asepsis.
