NCCT SURGICAL TECH (TS-C) EXAM 2025
Complete Practice Questions 1-200
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE CARE & PREPARATION
(Questions 1-55)
1. What is the correct sequence for performing a surgical hand scrub?
A. Scrub arms, then hands, then fingers
B. Scrub fingers, then hands, then arms
C. Scrub hands, then arms, then fingers
D. Scrub arms only
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for surgical hand scrub is to scrub the
fingers first, then hands, then arms. Rinsing should be done from the
fingertips to the elbows to prevent contaminated water from flowing back
over clean areas .
2. What is the primary purpose of the surgical hand scrub?
,A. To sterilize the hands
B. To remove dirt and debris
C. To reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin
D. To make the hands slippery for gloving
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgical hand scrub reduces the number of microorganisms
on the skin, both transient and resident flora. It does not sterilize the hands
but significantly decreases microbial count to minimize infection risk .
3. Which of the following should be removed before performing a
surgical hand scrub?
A. All jewelry, including rings and watches
B. Only rings
C. Only watches
D. No jewelry needs to be removed
Answer: A
Rationale: All jewelry, including rings and watches, must be removed before
the surgical hand scrub as they can harbor microorganisms and interfere
with proper scrubbing technique .
4. True or false: Artificial nails are permitted for surgical technologists
in the operating room.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
,Rationale: Artificial nails are generally not permitted for surgical
technologists and other OR personnel because they can harbor bacteria and
compromise the sterility of the surgical field .
5. What is the proper technique for drying hands after a surgical
scrub?
A. Use a paper towel and shake hands dry
B. Use a sterile towel, drying from fingers to elbows
C. Use a sterile towel, drying from elbows to fingers
D. Air dry without touching anything
Answer: B
Rationale: After a surgical scrub, hands should be dried using a sterile towel,
drying from the fingers to the elbows. This prevents contaminated water from
the elbows from flowing back over clean areas .
6. What is the difference between surgical asepsis and medical asepsis?
A. Surgical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms; medical asepsis reduces
them
B. Surgical asepsis reduces microorganisms; medical asepsis eliminates
them
C. There is no difference
D. Surgical asepsis uses chemicals; medical asepsis uses heat
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all microorganisms,
including spores, while medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number
of microorganisms .
, 7. Which of the following is an example of surgical conscience?
A. Reporting a break in sterile technique immediately
B. Finishing a procedure despite a contamination
C. Ignoring a minor contamination to avoid delay
D. Continuing to work after contaminating a glove
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical conscience is the ethical and professional obligation to
report any break in sterile technique immediately, regardless of the
circumstances, to protect the patient from infection .
8. What is the maximum time a sterile field can remain uncovered
before it is considered contaminated?
A. It must remain covered at all times
B. 1 hour
C. 2 hours
D. There is no time limit if unopened
Answer: A
Rationale: A sterile field should be covered at all times when not in active
use. Uncovered sterile fields are considered contaminated due to airborne
microorganisms settling on the surface .
9. What is the purpose of the surgical gown?
Complete Practice Questions 1-200
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE CARE & PREPARATION
(Questions 1-55)
1. What is the correct sequence for performing a surgical hand scrub?
A. Scrub arms, then hands, then fingers
B. Scrub fingers, then hands, then arms
C. Scrub hands, then arms, then fingers
D. Scrub arms only
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for surgical hand scrub is to scrub the
fingers first, then hands, then arms. Rinsing should be done from the
fingertips to the elbows to prevent contaminated water from flowing back
over clean areas .
2. What is the primary purpose of the surgical hand scrub?
,A. To sterilize the hands
B. To remove dirt and debris
C. To reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin
D. To make the hands slippery for gloving
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgical hand scrub reduces the number of microorganisms
on the skin, both transient and resident flora. It does not sterilize the hands
but significantly decreases microbial count to minimize infection risk .
3. Which of the following should be removed before performing a
surgical hand scrub?
A. All jewelry, including rings and watches
B. Only rings
C. Only watches
D. No jewelry needs to be removed
Answer: A
Rationale: All jewelry, including rings and watches, must be removed before
the surgical hand scrub as they can harbor microorganisms and interfere
with proper scrubbing technique .
4. True or false: Artificial nails are permitted for surgical technologists
in the operating room.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
,Rationale: Artificial nails are generally not permitted for surgical
technologists and other OR personnel because they can harbor bacteria and
compromise the sterility of the surgical field .
5. What is the proper technique for drying hands after a surgical
scrub?
A. Use a paper towel and shake hands dry
B. Use a sterile towel, drying from fingers to elbows
C. Use a sterile towel, drying from elbows to fingers
D. Air dry without touching anything
Answer: B
Rationale: After a surgical scrub, hands should be dried using a sterile towel,
drying from the fingers to the elbows. This prevents contaminated water from
the elbows from flowing back over clean areas .
6. What is the difference between surgical asepsis and medical asepsis?
A. Surgical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms; medical asepsis reduces
them
B. Surgical asepsis reduces microorganisms; medical asepsis eliminates
them
C. There is no difference
D. Surgical asepsis uses chemicals; medical asepsis uses heat
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all microorganisms,
including spores, while medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number
of microorganisms .
, 7. Which of the following is an example of surgical conscience?
A. Reporting a break in sterile technique immediately
B. Finishing a procedure despite a contamination
C. Ignoring a minor contamination to avoid delay
D. Continuing to work after contaminating a glove
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical conscience is the ethical and professional obligation to
report any break in sterile technique immediately, regardless of the
circumstances, to protect the patient from infection .
8. What is the maximum time a sterile field can remain uncovered
before it is considered contaminated?
A. It must remain covered at all times
B. 1 hour
C. 2 hours
D. There is no time limit if unopened
Answer: A
Rationale: A sterile field should be covered at all times when not in active
use. Uncovered sterile fields are considered contaminated due to airborne
microorganisms settling on the surface .
9. What is the purpose of the surgical gown?
