NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam A Study Guide 2026/2027 | Practice Test Prep
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
opened in OR 1. A surgical technologist was just setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
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.
Which of the following is the body's local tissue C. inflammation
reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
Which of the following instruments is used for a B. Randall forceps
common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
Which of the following is the MOST important A. avoiding the knot
consideration when cutting suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C.opening the scissors wide when cutting
D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
Which of the following structures are ligated and A.cystic artery and cystic duct
divided during the 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
, NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam A Study Guide 2026/2027 | Practice Test Prep
Which of the following may be used when applying a A. pressure dressing
sterile dressing to a skin graft site?
A. pressure dressing
B. ABD pad
C. 4x4s
D. Steri-Strips
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the C. Schroeder
following instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman
On the way into the operating room, a terminally ill D. acceptance
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
Which of the following instruments is used for A. bayonet forceps
placement of cottonoid strips during a craniotomy?
A. bayonet forceps
B. Russian forceps
C. Kelly clamp
D. angled DeBakey clamp
When two individuals in sterile attire pass one another A. pass back-to-back.
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.
Which of the following is used to oxygenate and C. extracorporeal bypass
circulate blood?
A. Doppler ultrasound
B. defibrillator
C. extracorporeal bypass
D. autotransfuser
, NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam A Study Guide 2026/2027 | Practice Test Prep
The PRIMARY consideration in selecting an appropriate A. physiologic condition of the patient.
anesthetic agent is the
A. physiologic condition of the patient.
B. length of the procedure.
C. type of the procedure.
D. anxiety level of the patient.
If two basins are wrapped together for sterilizing, they D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel.
should be packaged with one basin
A.stacked inside the other and separated by impervious
material.
B.on its side and the other upside down.
C.stacked inside the other and wrapped in a towel.
D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel.
Which of the following items may be used in D. bean bag
positioning a patient for a total hip arthroplasty?
A. fracture table
B. Wilson frame
C. Andrews frame
D. bean bag
A surgical technologist sees a neighbor being admitted. C. Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted first
How should the surgical technologist respond?
A.Acknowledge the neighbor.
B.Reassure the neighbor that everything will be fine.
C.Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted
first.
D.Ignore the neighbor, even if greeted.
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal A.placed in a separate basin.
stump during an appendectomy should be
A.placed in a separate basin.
B.wiped with a saline sponge.
C.returned to the Mayo stand.
D. wiped with an alcohol sponge.
Which of the following is the MOST serious B. necrosis
complication of a strangulated hernia?
A. shock
B. necrosis
C. infection
D. hemorrhage
Which of the following techniques is NOT acceptable C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement.
for draping the patient?
A.Hold the drapes high until directly over the patient.
B.Protect the gloved hands by cuffing the drapes.
C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement.
D.Place the drapes on a dry area.
Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the
opened in OR 1. A surgical technologist was just setup in OR 1 should be disposed of.
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.
Which of the following is the body's local tissue C. inflammation
reaction to injury?
A. fever
B. infection
C. inflammation
D. immune reaction
Which of the following instruments is used for a B. Randall forceps
common bile duct exploration?
A. Fogarty clamp
B. Randall forceps
C. Pennington clamp
D. Forester ring forceps
Which of the following is the MOST important A. avoiding the knot
consideration when cutting suture?
A. avoiding the knot
B. using sharp scissors
C.opening the scissors wide when cutting
D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat
Which of the following structures are ligated and A.cystic artery and cystic duct
divided during the 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
, NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam A Study Guide 2026/2027 | Practice Test Prep
Which of the following may be used when applying a A. pressure dressing
sterile dressing to a skin graft site?
A. pressure dressing
B. ABD pad
C. 4x4s
D. Steri-Strips
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the C. Schroeder
following instruments is used to grasp the cervix?
A. Sims
B. Auvard
C. Schroeder
D. Bozeman
On the way into the operating room, a terminally ill D. acceptance
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
Which of the following instruments is used for A. bayonet forceps
placement of cottonoid strips during a craniotomy?
A. bayonet forceps
B. Russian forceps
C. Kelly clamp
D. angled DeBakey clamp
When two individuals in sterile attire pass one another A. pass back-to-back.
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.
Which of the following is used to oxygenate and C. extracorporeal bypass
circulate blood?
A. Doppler ultrasound
B. defibrillator
C. extracorporeal bypass
D. autotransfuser
, NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist CST Exam A Study Guide 2026/2027 | Practice Test Prep
The PRIMARY consideration in selecting an appropriate A. physiologic condition of the patient.
anesthetic agent is the
A. physiologic condition of the patient.
B. length of the procedure.
C. type of the procedure.
D. anxiety level of the patient.
If two basins are wrapped together for sterilizing, they D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel.
should be packaged with one basin
A.stacked inside the other and separated by impervious
material.
B.on its side and the other upside down.
C.stacked inside the other and wrapped in a towel.
D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel.
Which of the following items may be used in D. bean bag
positioning a patient for a total hip arthroplasty?
A. fracture table
B. Wilson frame
C. Andrews frame
D. bean bag
A surgical technologist sees a neighbor being admitted. C. Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted first
How should the surgical technologist respond?
A.Acknowledge the neighbor.
B.Reassure the neighbor that everything will be fine.
C.Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted
first.
D.Ignore the neighbor, even if greeted.
Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal A.placed in a separate basin.
stump during an appendectomy should be
A.placed in a separate basin.
B.wiped with a saline sponge.
C.returned to the Mayo stand.
D. wiped with an alcohol sponge.
Which of the following is the MOST serious B. necrosis
complication of a strangulated hernia?
A. shock
B. necrosis
C. infection
D. hemorrhage
Which of the following techniques is NOT acceptable C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement.
for draping the patient?
A.Hold the drapes high until directly over the patient.
B.Protect the gloved hands by cuffing the drapes.
C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement.
D.Place the drapes on a dry area.
