NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A | Comprehensive
Surgical Technology Practice Exam with Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the
spinal cord passes?
A. foramen ovale
B. foramen magnum
C. foramen rotundum
D. foramen of Bochdalek
Answer: B
Rationale: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone
through which the spinal cord passes and connects to the brainstem. The foramen
ovale and foramen rotundum are openings in the sphenoid bone for cranial nerves.
The foramen of Bochdalek is a congenital defect in the diaphragm.
Question 2
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical
technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the next
case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the following is the BEST course
of action?
A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2.
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup
in OR 1 should be disposed of.
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the
next case.
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as
planned.
Answer: B
Rationale: Once a sterile field is established in an operating room, it cannot be
moved to another room without risk of contamination. New sterile supplies should
pg. 1
,be obtained for OR 2, and the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of. Moving the
sterile field (A) is not acceptable as sterility cannot be guaranteed during transport.
Leaving supplies (C) for the next case is unsafe as they may become contaminated.
Arguing (D) is unprofessional and not in the best interest of patient care.
Question 3
Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
Answer: C
Rationale: Inflammation is the body's local tissue reaction to injury, characterized
by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. It is a protective response to
eliminate the initial cause of injury and initiate tissue repair. Fever (A) is a
systemic response, not a local tissue reaction. Infection (B) is caused by
microorganisms. Immune reaction (D) is a specific response to antigens.
Question 4
Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
Answer: B
Rationale: Randall forceps are used for common bile duct exploration to retrieve
stones. The Fogarty clamp (A) is used for vascular procedures. Pennington clamp
(C) is used for grasping tissue. Forester ring forceps (D) are used for grasping
sponges.
Question 5
Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C. opening the scissors wide when cutting
pg. 2
,D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
Answer: A
Rationale: When cutting suture, the most important consideration is avoiding the
knot to prevent the suture from coming undone. Using sharp scissors (B) is
important but not the primary consideration. Opening scissors wide (C) can cause
tissue damage. Tagging the suture (D) is not a standard practice for cutting.
Question 6
Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during a
cholecystectomy?
A. cystic artery and cystic duct
B. hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. cystic artery and common bile duct
D. hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
Answer: A
Rationale: During a cholecystectomy, the cystic artery and cystic duct are ligated
and divided to remove the gallbladder. The hepatic artery and hepatic duct (B)
supply the liver and are not ligated. The common bile duct (C) is preserved. The
pancreatic duct (D) is not involved in this procedure.
Question 7
Which of the following may be used when applying a sterile dressing to a skin
graft site?
A. pressure dressing
B. ABD pad
C. 4x4s
D. Steri-Strips
Answer: A
Rationale: A pressure dressing is used over skin grafts to hold the graft in place,
prevent shearing, and promote vascularization. ABD pads (B) are used for
absorption. 4x4s (C) are general wound dressings. Steri-Strips (D) are used for
wound closure, not for skin grafts.
Question 8
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is
pg. 3
, used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
Answer: A (Sims)
Rationale: A Sims speculum or tenaculum is used to grasp the cervix during a
dilation and curettage (D&C). The Sims speculum is specifically designed for
vaginal examination and cervical exposure.
Question 9
On the way into the operating room, a terminally ill patient tells the nurse, "No
matter what happens, it will be okay." Which of the Five Stages of Grief is the
patient MOST likely in?
A. denial
B. bargaining
C. depression
D. acceptance
Answer: D
Rationale: Acceptance is the final stage of grief where the patient has come to
terms with their situation and feels at peace. Denial (A) involves refusing to
believe the diagnosis. Bargaining (B) involves making deals. Depression (C)
involves sadness and hopelessness.
Question 10
When two individuals in sterile attire pass one another in the sterile field, they
should:
A. pass back-to-back
B. both face the wall
C. pass side-to-side
D. both face the sterile field
Answer: A
Rationale: When two sterile individuals pass each other in the OR, they should
pass back-to-back to prevent contamination of sterile attire. This ensures that
sterile areas do not contact each other. Facing the wall (B) would expose the back
of the gown. Side-to-side (C) could allow contamination. Facing the sterile field
(D) could contaminate the field.
pg. 4
Surgical Technology Practice Exam with Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the
spinal cord passes?
A. foramen ovale
B. foramen magnum
C. foramen rotundum
D. foramen of Bochdalek
Answer: B
Rationale: The foramen magnum is the large opening in the occipital bone
through which the spinal cord passes and connects to the brainstem. The foramen
ovale and foramen rotundum are openings in the sphenoid bone for cranial nerves.
The foramen of Bochdalek is a congenital defect in the diaphragm.
Question 2
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical
technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the next
case in OR 1 is scheduled in two hours. Which of the following is the BEST course
of action?
A. Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR 1 to OR 2.
B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup
in OR 1 should be disposed of.
C. OR 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the
next case.
D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as
planned.
Answer: B
Rationale: Once a sterile field is established in an operating room, it cannot be
moved to another room without risk of contamination. New sterile supplies should
pg. 1
,be obtained for OR 2, and the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of. Moving the
sterile field (A) is not acceptable as sterility cannot be guaranteed during transport.
Leaving supplies (C) for the next case is unsafe as they may become contaminated.
Arguing (D) is unprofessional and not in the best interest of patient care.
Question 3
Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
Answer: C
Rationale: Inflammation is the body's local tissue reaction to injury, characterized
by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. It is a protective response to
eliminate the initial cause of injury and initiate tissue repair. Fever (A) is a
systemic response, not a local tissue reaction. Infection (B) is caused by
microorganisms. Immune reaction (D) is a specific response to antigens.
Question 4
Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
Answer: B
Rationale: Randall forceps are used for common bile duct exploration to retrieve
stones. The Fogarty clamp (A) is used for vascular procedures. Pennington clamp
(C) is used for grasping tissue. Forester ring forceps (D) are used for grasping
sponges.
Question 5
Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C. opening the scissors wide when cutting
pg. 2
,D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
Answer: A
Rationale: When cutting suture, the most important consideration is avoiding the
knot to prevent the suture from coming undone. Using sharp scissors (B) is
important but not the primary consideration. Opening scissors wide (C) can cause
tissue damage. Tagging the suture (D) is not a standard practice for cutting.
Question 6
Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during a
cholecystectomy?
A. cystic artery and cystic duct
B. hepatic artery and hepatic duct
C. cystic artery and common bile duct
D. hepatic artery and pancreatic duct
Answer: A
Rationale: During a cholecystectomy, the cystic artery and cystic duct are ligated
and divided to remove the gallbladder. The hepatic artery and hepatic duct (B)
supply the liver and are not ligated. The common bile duct (C) is preserved. The
pancreatic duct (D) is not involved in this procedure.
Question 7
Which of the following may be used when applying a sterile dressing to a skin
graft site?
A. pressure dressing
B. ABD pad
C. 4x4s
D. Steri-Strips
Answer: A
Rationale: A pressure dressing is used over skin grafts to hold the graft in place,
prevent shearing, and promote vascularization. ABD pads (B) are used for
absorption. 4x4s (C) are general wound dressings. Steri-Strips (D) are used for
wound closure, not for skin grafts.
Question 8
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is
pg. 3
, used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
Answer: A (Sims)
Rationale: A Sims speculum or tenaculum is used to grasp the cervix during a
dilation and curettage (D&C). The Sims speculum is specifically designed for
vaginal examination and cervical exposure.
Question 9
On the way into the operating room, a terminally ill patient tells the nurse, "No
matter what happens, it will be okay." Which of the Five Stages of Grief is the
patient MOST likely in?
A. denial
B. bargaining
C. depression
D. acceptance
Answer: D
Rationale: Acceptance is the final stage of grief where the patient has come to
terms with their situation and feels at peace. Denial (A) involves refusing to
believe the diagnosis. Bargaining (B) involves making deals. Depression (C)
involves sadness and hopelessness.
Question 10
When two individuals in sterile attire pass one another in the sterile field, they
should:
A. pass back-to-back
B. both face the wall
C. pass side-to-side
D. both face the sterile field
Answer: A
Rationale: When two sterile individuals pass each other in the OR, they should
pass back-to-back to prevent contamination of sterile attire. This ensures that
sterile areas do not contact each other. Facing the wall (B) would expose the back
of the gown. Side-to-side (C) could allow contamination. Facing the sterile field
(D) could contaminate the field.
pg. 4
