CSTR EXAM 2026–2027 | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES & STUDY GUIDE
CSTR EXAM 2026–2027 |VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES & STUDY GUIDE
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW:
• This comprehensive exam contains verified practice questions designed to
prepare surgical technologists for certification; each question includes detailed
rationales to reinforce learning and identify knowledge gaps.
• Use this material for systematic study by working through sections daily, reviewing
rationales for all answers (correct and incorrect), and retaking missed questions
until mastery is achieved.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the surgical
technologist during the preoperative phase?
A) Administer anesthesia to the patient
B) Verify patient identification and surgical site marking
C) Perform the surgical incision
D) Provide postoperative wound care
E) Document anesthesia records
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Verify patient identification and surgical site marking
RATIONALE: The surgical technologist plays a critical role in patient safety during
the preoperative phase by assisting in the verification of patient identification,
ensuring correct surgical site marking, and confirming that all preoperative
requirements have been completed. This is part of the Universal Protocol to
prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient surgery. While surgical
technologists may assist with other tasks, verifying patient identity and surgical site
is a primary safety responsibility.
,QUESTION 2
What is the correct order of donning sterile surgical attire?
A) Gown, gloves, mask, cap, shoe covers
B) Cap, mask, shoe covers, gown, gloves
C) Mask, cap, shoe covers, gown, gloves
D) Shoe covers, cap, mask, gown, gloves
E) Cap, shoe covers, mask, gown, gloves
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cap, mask, shoe covers, gown, gloves
RATIONALE: The correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment
maintains asepsis by preventing contamination of already-donned items. The cap
and mask should be applied first to contain hair and respiratory droplets. Shoe
covers follow, then the gown is donned before gloves, which are put on last so they
cover the cuffs of the gown. This sequence ensures that hands, which will be most
frequently in contact with sterile fields, are protected last and remain the cleanest.
QUESTION 3
Which sterilization method is most appropriate for delicate instruments and
powered surgical equipment?
A) Steam sterilization (autoclaving)
B) Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Boiling water sterilization
E) Chemical cold sterilization
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
,RATIONALE: Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is ideal for items that cannot withstand
the high temperatures and moisture of steam sterilization, including delicate
instruments, electrical equipment, and powered surgical devices. EO gas penetrates
complex items and does not damage heat-sensitive materials. Steam sterilization
would damage electrical components; dry heat requires higher temperatures;
boiling is not reliable for surgical instrument sterilization; and cold chemical
sterilization is used for items that cannot be autoclaved but still requires proper
processing time.
QUESTION 4
What is the primary purpose of a surgical count?
A) To organize instruments for efficient handling
B) To prevent accidental retention of foreign objects in the patient
C) To maintain inventory for billing purposes
D) To determine the type of surgical procedure being performed
E) To ensure proper sterilization of all instruments
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) To prevent accidental retention of foreign objects in
the patient
RATIONALE: The surgical count is a critical safety procedure performed before,
during, and after surgery to account for all sponges, sharps, and instruments used
in the surgical field. The primary goal is to prevent the accidental retention of
foreign bodies (retained surgical items) in the patient, which can lead to serious
complications. Counts are performed systematically, documented, and
communicated between the surgical team members to ensure patient safety.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following best describes hemostasis in surgery?
A) The surgical removal of bleeding tissue
, B) The process of controlling or stopping bleeding
C) The formation of scar tissue after surgery
D) The administration of blood products to the patient
E) The inflammatory response to surgical trauma
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) The process of controlling or stopping bleeding
RATIONALE: Hemostasis refers to the process of controlling or stopping bleeding
during surgery. Methods include direct pressure, cautery (electrosurgery),
application of hemostatic agents, ligation of blood vessels, and use of topical
hemostatic materials. Proper hemostasis is essential to maintain a clear surgical
field, reduce blood loss, and prevent postoperative hemorrhage. This is a
fundamental surgical principle that the surgical technologist must understand and
actively assist with during procedures.
QUESTION 6
What is the standard size of a standard surgical drape used to establish a
sterile field?
A) 36 inches x 36 inches
B) 45 inches x 45 inches
C) 54 inches x 54 inches
D) 72 inches x 72 inches
E) 90 inches x 90 inches
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 54 inches x 54 inches
RATIONALE: The standard surgical drape measures 54 inches x 54 inches and is
the commonly used size for establishing a sterile field on the operating table.
Smaller drapes (36" x 36") may be used for minor procedures or as reinforcing
drapes. Larger drapes may be used for major procedures or body areas requiring
additional coverage. Knowledge of drape sizes helps the surgical technologist
prepare appropriate materials and maintain proper sterile technique.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES & STUDY GUIDE
CSTR EXAM 2026–2027 |VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES & STUDY GUIDE
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW:
• This comprehensive exam contains verified practice questions designed to
prepare surgical technologists for certification; each question includes detailed
rationales to reinforce learning and identify knowledge gaps.
• Use this material for systematic study by working through sections daily, reviewing
rationales for all answers (correct and incorrect), and retaking missed questions
until mastery is achieved.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the surgical
technologist during the preoperative phase?
A) Administer anesthesia to the patient
B) Verify patient identification and surgical site marking
C) Perform the surgical incision
D) Provide postoperative wound care
E) Document anesthesia records
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Verify patient identification and surgical site marking
RATIONALE: The surgical technologist plays a critical role in patient safety during
the preoperative phase by assisting in the verification of patient identification,
ensuring correct surgical site marking, and confirming that all preoperative
requirements have been completed. This is part of the Universal Protocol to
prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient surgery. While surgical
technologists may assist with other tasks, verifying patient identity and surgical site
is a primary safety responsibility.
,QUESTION 2
What is the correct order of donning sterile surgical attire?
A) Gown, gloves, mask, cap, shoe covers
B) Cap, mask, shoe covers, gown, gloves
C) Mask, cap, shoe covers, gown, gloves
D) Shoe covers, cap, mask, gown, gloves
E) Cap, shoe covers, mask, gown, gloves
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cap, mask, shoe covers, gown, gloves
RATIONALE: The correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment
maintains asepsis by preventing contamination of already-donned items. The cap
and mask should be applied first to contain hair and respiratory droplets. Shoe
covers follow, then the gown is donned before gloves, which are put on last so they
cover the cuffs of the gown. This sequence ensures that hands, which will be most
frequently in contact with sterile fields, are protected last and remain the cleanest.
QUESTION 3
Which sterilization method is most appropriate for delicate instruments and
powered surgical equipment?
A) Steam sterilization (autoclaving)
B) Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Boiling water sterilization
E) Chemical cold sterilization
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
,RATIONALE: Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is ideal for items that cannot withstand
the high temperatures and moisture of steam sterilization, including delicate
instruments, electrical equipment, and powered surgical devices. EO gas penetrates
complex items and does not damage heat-sensitive materials. Steam sterilization
would damage electrical components; dry heat requires higher temperatures;
boiling is not reliable for surgical instrument sterilization; and cold chemical
sterilization is used for items that cannot be autoclaved but still requires proper
processing time.
QUESTION 4
What is the primary purpose of a surgical count?
A) To organize instruments for efficient handling
B) To prevent accidental retention of foreign objects in the patient
C) To maintain inventory for billing purposes
D) To determine the type of surgical procedure being performed
E) To ensure proper sterilization of all instruments
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) To prevent accidental retention of foreign objects in
the patient
RATIONALE: The surgical count is a critical safety procedure performed before,
during, and after surgery to account for all sponges, sharps, and instruments used
in the surgical field. The primary goal is to prevent the accidental retention of
foreign bodies (retained surgical items) in the patient, which can lead to serious
complications. Counts are performed systematically, documented, and
communicated between the surgical team members to ensure patient safety.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following best describes hemostasis in surgery?
A) The surgical removal of bleeding tissue
, B) The process of controlling or stopping bleeding
C) The formation of scar tissue after surgery
D) The administration of blood products to the patient
E) The inflammatory response to surgical trauma
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) The process of controlling or stopping bleeding
RATIONALE: Hemostasis refers to the process of controlling or stopping bleeding
during surgery. Methods include direct pressure, cautery (electrosurgery),
application of hemostatic agents, ligation of blood vessels, and use of topical
hemostatic materials. Proper hemostasis is essential to maintain a clear surgical
field, reduce blood loss, and prevent postoperative hemorrhage. This is a
fundamental surgical principle that the surgical technologist must understand and
actively assist with during procedures.
QUESTION 6
What is the standard size of a standard surgical drape used to establish a
sterile field?
A) 36 inches x 36 inches
B) 45 inches x 45 inches
C) 54 inches x 54 inches
D) 72 inches x 72 inches
E) 90 inches x 90 inches
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 54 inches x 54 inches
RATIONALE: The standard surgical drape measures 54 inches x 54 inches and is
the commonly used size for establishing a sterile field on the operating table.
Smaller drapes (36" x 36") may be used for minor procedures or as reinforcing
drapes. Larger drapes may be used for major procedures or body areas requiring
additional coverage. Knowledge of drape sizes helps the surgical technologist
prepare appropriate materials and maintain proper sterile technique.
