CST – NBSTSA APP Exams | Questions &
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep
PDF | Graded A+
Tympanosplasty - correct answerSurgical 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? - correct
answerRegown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - correct answerLateral
What is the kraske position? - correct answerAnatomical 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? - correct answerLithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal
set-up? - correct answerGastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - correct answerA drape with an opening that allows
exposure of the operative site
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? - correct
answerNew 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? - correct answerPadding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped
with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - correct answerSatinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - correct answerMagnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - correct answerLeft
lateral kidney
,Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered
unsterile because they are: - correct answerAbsorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy
should be: - correct answerPlaced in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? -
correct answerAllen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - correct answerRe-establish the negative
pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - correct answerHold the
duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types
of suture? - correct answerPurse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - correct
answerFogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - correct answerTransurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - correct answerWeitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - correct answerAdaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - correct answerPlaced in separate containers and
identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the
patient in the operating room? - correct answerSigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role
should first notify the: - correct answerContaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should
be counted by the: - correct answerSurgical technologist in the scrub role and the
circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - correct
answerRhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - correct
answerKerrison
, Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - correct
answerCholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument
needed for the removal of the lamina is a: - correct answerKerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency?
- correct answerRemain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - correct answerKirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the
teeth and around the bar? - correct answer25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
correct answerLugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? -
correct answerIrrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - correct answerDe Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - correct answerDrain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - correct
answerMediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: -
correct answerTrack amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum. Which
layer will be sutured next? - correct answerFascia
Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording the name,
amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure? - correct answerPropofol
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight patient. Which
closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial
layer? - correct answer2-0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
While preparing a sterile field, a surgical technologist secures the Bovie holster to the
Mayo stand. The surgeon insists on keeping the Bovie by him toward the head of the
patient. What would be the best course of action? - correct answerMove Bovie holster
up by the head of the patient
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep
PDF | Graded A+
Tympanosplasty - correct answerSurgical 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? - correct
answerRegown and reglove the surgeon
What position is used for a pneumonectomy? - correct answerLateral
What is the kraske position? - correct answerAnatomical 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? - correct answerLithotomy
When a hernia is strangulated, which instrument set is added to the general abdominal
set-up? - correct answerGastrointestinal
What is a fenestrated drape? - correct answerA drape with an opening that allows
exposure of the operative site
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? - correct
answerNew 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? - correct answerPadding the area where the tourniquet is to be wrapped
with Webril
For a splenectomy procedure, which clamp should be used? - correct answerSatinsky
Surgical loupes are used to: - correct answerMagnify the surgical field
Which position is the patient placed in for a right nephrectomy? - correct answerLeft
lateral kidney
,Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered
unsterile because they are: - correct answerAbsorbant and collect moisture
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy
should be: - correct answerPlaced in a separate bin
Which instrument is used to cross-clamp the intestine during a bowel resection? -
correct answerAllen
The primary purpose of chest tubes is to: - correct answerRe-establish the negative
pressure
Traction sutures are used on common duct explorations to: - correct answerHold the
duct open
The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types
of suture? - correct answerPurse-string
Which catheter is most commonly used to perform an embolectomy? - correct
answerFogarty
A resectoscope is used in what prostatic approach? - correct answerTransurethral
Which retractor is preferred for a groin incision? - correct answerWeitlaner
What type of dressing is applied as a nonadherent dressing? - correct answerAdaptic
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical technologist should prepare
specimens using which method? - correct answerPlaced in separate containers and
identify
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which procedure might be performed on the
patient in the operating room? - correct answerSigmoidectomy
When a break in antisecptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist in the scrub role
should first notify the: - correct answerContaminating team member
Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should
be counted by the: - correct answerSurgical technologist in the scrub role and the
circulator
What is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? - correct
answerRhytidectomy
Which rongeur is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc procedure? - correct
answerKerrison
, Which procedure is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? - correct
answerCholangiography
Once the spinous process is exposed during a laminectomy, the next instrument
needed for the removal of the lamina is a: - correct answerKerrison rongeur
What should the surgical technologist in the scrub role do during a cardiac emergency?
- correct answerRemain sterile and keep the table sterile
What is used to stabilize a fractured finger? - correct answerKirschner wires
During the application of arch bars, the surgeon will most likely use what between the
teeth and around the bar? - correct answer25-gauge or 26-gauge stainless steel wire
Which solution is used to identify diseased areas for a cold conization of the cervix? -
correct answerLugol's
When using power saws on bone, what action best helps prevent bone damage? -
correct answerIrrigation
Which retractor is used in a C-section? - correct answerDe Lee
A nasogastric tube (NG) is used to: - correct answerDrain the stomach
Which procedure requires an incision in the suprasternal nothc? - correct
answerMediastinoscopy
The surgical technologist in the scrub role must keep track of blood loss as well as: -
correct answerTrack amount of irrigation used
Following an abdominal surgery, the surgeon has just closed the peritoneum. Which
layer will be sutured next? - correct answerFascia
Which medication is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording the name,
amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure? - correct answerPropofol
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen of an average weight patient. Which
closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial
layer? - correct answer2-0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
While preparing a sterile field, a surgical technologist secures the Bovie holster to the
Mayo stand. The surgeon insists on keeping the Bovie by him toward the head of the
patient. What would be the best course of action? - correct answerMove Bovie holster
up by the head of the patient
