NBSTSA PSI CST Exam Study
Guide – Practice Questions
with Verified Answers. GRADED
A+. Latest 2026/2027 Update
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents
begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - Answer✔✔-A. Suction the
fluid from the abdomen
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The
surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the
drapes before pushing everything back. According to best practices, which of
the following should be the NEXT step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
,B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed
again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient
is transported to PACU.
D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are
needed again. - Answer✔✔-C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and
keep sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - Answer✔✔-C. Several fluffed sponges
and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to
proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the
tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril -
Answer✔✔-D. Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with
Webril
,When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments
is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman - Answer✔✔-C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - Answer✔✔-A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should
FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - Answer✔✔-B. Contaminating team member
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
, A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - Answer✔✔-A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a
surgical technologist should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - Answer✔✔-A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - Answer✔✔-C. Epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an
unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A. The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B. The patient's family requests it be continued.
Guide – Practice Questions
with Verified Answers. GRADED
A+. Latest 2026/2027 Update
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents
begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical
technologist anticipate as the NEXT step?
a. Suction the fluid from the abdomen
b. Continue removing the appendix as planned
C. Place a Kelly clamp over the perforation
D. Close the wound and terminate the procedure - Answer✔✔-A. Suction the
fluid from the abdomen
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The
surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the
drapes before pushing everything back. According to best practices, which of
the following should be the NEXT step?
A. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and tear it down
,B. Pull the drapes off and put them on the back table in case they are needed
again.
C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient
is transported to PACU.
D. Leave the back table, mayo, and basin close to patient in case they are
needed again. - Answer✔✔-C. Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and
keep sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing?
A. several squared gauze sponges
B. Rolled gauze and an abdominal pad
C. several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
D. gauze sponges and a Velcro strap - Answer✔✔-C. Several fluffed sponges
and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet?
A. wrapping the limb sequentially with an Esmarch bandage from distal to
proximal
B. applying the pneumatic tourniquet to the limb and immediately inflating it
C. prepping the limb with ChloraPrep, including the determined location of the
tourniquet
D. padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril -
Answer✔✔-D. Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with
Webril
,When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments
is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman - Answer✔✔-C. Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively?
A. three, two
B. two, three
C. three, three
D. two, two - Answer✔✔-A. Three, Two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should
FIRST notify the
A. circulating nurse.
B. contaminating team member.
C. OR supervisor.
D. anesthesia provider. - Answer✔✔-B. Contaminating team member
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive
production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
, A. hydrocephalus
B. encephalocele
C. cranial bifida
D. craniosynostosis - Answer✔✔-A. Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a
surgical technologist should request additional
A. lap sponges
B. Raytec sponges.
C. Kitners.
D. cottonoids. - Answer✔✔-A. Lap Sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the
A. diaphysis.
B. medullary canal.
C. epiphyseal plate.
D. articular cartilage. - Answer✔✔-C. Epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an
unconscious patient for a surgical procedure?
A. The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
B. The patient's family requests it be continued.
