NBSTSA CST Practice Exam B – Questions &
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep
PDF | Graded A+
A SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST IS PREPARING THE INCISION SITE FOR THE
DRESSING FOLLWING A (TAH). THE PATIENT HAS DEVELOPED A HEMATOMA AT
THE INCISION SITE. THE SURGEON HAS LEFT THE ROOM. WHICH OF THE
FOLLOWING ACTIONS SHOULD THE SURGICAL TECH TAKE?
A. PLACE A PRESSURE DRESSING
B. COVER WITH DERMABOND
C. STERI-STRIP THE INCISION
D. HAVE THE SURGEION RETURN - correct answerD. HAVE THE SURGEON
RETURN
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A SIGN OF CARDIAC ARREST?
A. EDEMA
B. CONVULSION
C. CYANOSIS
D. HYPERTENSION - correct answerC. CYANOSIS
The number of Staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by.
A. wearing a surgical cap.
B. wearing hospital scrubs.
C. keeping the OR doors closed.
D. a thorough surgical hand scrub. - correct answerD. a thorough surgical hand scrub.
List in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an IV
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
A. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
B. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
C. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
,D. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5 - correct answerC. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
Place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order from first
to last:
I. proliferation
II. remodeling
III. inflammatory
A. I, II, III
B. II, I, III
C. III, I, II
D. III, II, I - correct answerC. III, I, II
A surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the surgeon's
preference card. The surgeon states he would like additional sutures and his preference
card is outdated. Which of the following is the surgical technologist's BEST course of
action?
A. Open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just in
case the surgeon needs them.
B. Return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the case.
C. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and proceed
accordingly.
D. Update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been requested
for this case. - correct answerC. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference
card updated and proceed accordingly.
While being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. The surgical technologist should.
A. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments.
B. explain the action of the anesthetic agent.
C. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe.
D. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns. - correct answerD.
have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns.
When preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of sterilization
were met?
A. external tape
B. biological indicator
,C. dynamic air removal
D. internal strip - correct answerB. biological indicator
Which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc
procedure?
A. Cushing
B. Bethune
C. Kerrison
D. Stille-Luer - correct answerC. Kerrison
The surgical technologist in the scrub role should remain sterile following which of the
following surgical procedures?
A. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
B. carotid endarterectomy
C. total hip arthroplasty
D. tympanoplasty - correct answerB. carotid endarterectomy
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and proceeds
to prep the patient for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this
time?
A. Assist the surgeon in draping the patient.
B. Regown and reglove the surgeon.
C. Remove drapes and start over.
D. Inform the supervisor. - correct answerB. Regown and reglove the surgeon.
Local anesthetics containing epinephrine should NEVER be used in which of the
following areas?
A. arms and legs
B. epidural spaces
C. wrists and ankles
D. digits and penis - correct answerD. digits and penis
To prevent contamination at the end of a surgical procedure, which of the following
should be removed LAST by the surgical technologist in the scrub role?
A. patient's drapes
B. surgical gloves
C. surgical gown
D. Mayo stand drape - correct answerB. surgical gloves
During a procedure, a surgical technologist notices a hole in his glove. Which of the
following should be done next?
, A. Continue the case.
B. Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique.
D. Break scrub, rescrub, gown and glove. - correct answerB. Change the glove using
the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following is an unexpected occurrence that involves physiologic or
psychologic injury or death?
A. unintentional tort
B. sentinel event
C. negligence
D. malpractice - correct answerB. sentinel event
Which of the following is a benign fluid-filled sac that develops in the anterior testis?
A. rectocele
B. cystocele
C. enterocele
D. hydrocele - correct answerD. hydrocele
When a cholecystectomy is performed, which of the following anatomical structures
must be preserved?
A. cystic duct
B. cystic vein
C. common duct
D. cystic artery - correct answerC. common duct
Which of the following procedures treats a congenital obstructed lesion found at the
distal end of an infant's stomach?
A. gastrostomy
B. Nissen fundoplication
C. Heller myotomy
D. pyloromyotomy - correct answerD. pyloromyotomy
The safest method for placing a blade on a knife handle is with a
A. Mixter.
B. gloved hand.
C. needle holder.
D. tissue forceps. - correct answerC. needle holder
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep
PDF | Graded A+
A SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST IS PREPARING THE INCISION SITE FOR THE
DRESSING FOLLWING A (TAH). THE PATIENT HAS DEVELOPED A HEMATOMA AT
THE INCISION SITE. THE SURGEON HAS LEFT THE ROOM. WHICH OF THE
FOLLOWING ACTIONS SHOULD THE SURGICAL TECH TAKE?
A. PLACE A PRESSURE DRESSING
B. COVER WITH DERMABOND
C. STERI-STRIP THE INCISION
D. HAVE THE SURGEION RETURN - correct answerD. HAVE THE SURGEON
RETURN
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A SIGN OF CARDIAC ARREST?
A. EDEMA
B. CONVULSION
C. CYANOSIS
D. HYPERTENSION - correct answerC. CYANOSIS
The number of Staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by.
A. wearing a surgical cap.
B. wearing hospital scrubs.
C. keeping the OR doors closed.
D. a thorough surgical hand scrub. - correct answerD. a thorough surgical hand scrub.
List in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an IV
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
A. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
B. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
C. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
,D. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5 - correct answerC. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
Place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order from first
to last:
I. proliferation
II. remodeling
III. inflammatory
A. I, II, III
B. II, I, III
C. III, I, II
D. III, II, I - correct answerC. III, I, II
A surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the surgeon's
preference card. The surgeon states he would like additional sutures and his preference
card is outdated. Which of the following is the surgical technologist's BEST course of
action?
A. Open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just in
case the surgeon needs them.
B. Return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the case.
C. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and proceed
accordingly.
D. Update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been requested
for this case. - correct answerC. Ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference
card updated and proceed accordingly.
While being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. The surgical technologist should.
A. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments.
B. explain the action of the anesthetic agent.
C. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe.
D. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns. - correct answerD.
have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns.
When preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of sterilization
were met?
A. external tape
B. biological indicator
,C. dynamic air removal
D. internal strip - correct answerB. biological indicator
Which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a Caldwell-Luc
procedure?
A. Cushing
B. Bethune
C. Kerrison
D. Stille-Luer - correct answerC. Kerrison
The surgical technologist in the scrub role should remain sterile following which of the
following surgical procedures?
A. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
B. carotid endarterectomy
C. total hip arthroplasty
D. tympanoplasty - correct answerB. carotid endarterectomy
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and proceeds
to prep the patient for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this
time?
A. Assist the surgeon in draping the patient.
B. Regown and reglove the surgeon.
C. Remove drapes and start over.
D. Inform the supervisor. - correct answerB. Regown and reglove the surgeon.
Local anesthetics containing epinephrine should NEVER be used in which of the
following areas?
A. arms and legs
B. epidural spaces
C. wrists and ankles
D. digits and penis - correct answerD. digits and penis
To prevent contamination at the end of a surgical procedure, which of the following
should be removed LAST by the surgical technologist in the scrub role?
A. patient's drapes
B. surgical gloves
C. surgical gown
D. Mayo stand drape - correct answerB. surgical gloves
During a procedure, a surgical technologist notices a hole in his glove. Which of the
following should be done next?
, A. Continue the case.
B. Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
C. Change the glove using the closed-gloving technique.
D. Break scrub, rescrub, gown and glove. - correct answerB. Change the glove using
the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following is an unexpected occurrence that involves physiologic or
psychologic injury or death?
A. unintentional tort
B. sentinel event
C. negligence
D. malpractice - correct answerB. sentinel event
Which of the following is a benign fluid-filled sac that develops in the anterior testis?
A. rectocele
B. cystocele
C. enterocele
D. hydrocele - correct answerD. hydrocele
When a cholecystectomy is performed, which of the following anatomical structures
must be preserved?
A. cystic duct
B. cystic vein
C. common duct
D. cystic artery - correct answerC. common duct
Which of the following procedures treats a congenital obstructed lesion found at the
distal end of an infant's stomach?
A. gastrostomy
B. Nissen fundoplication
C. Heller myotomy
D. pyloromyotomy - correct answerD. pyloromyotomy
The safest method for placing a blade on a knife handle is with a
A. Mixter.
B. gloved hand.
C. needle holder.
D. tissue forceps. - correct answerC. needle holder
