CST Exam 2026–2027 | Certified Surgical
Technologist
Comprehensive Assessment
Year: 2026–2027 | Total Questions: 150 | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination, administered by the National Board
of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), is the definitive credentialing
assessment for surgical technology professionals. This comprehensive question bank covers
all key domains of the official NBSTSA blueprint: (1) Perioperative Care, encompassing
preoperative preparation, intraoperative responsibilities, surgical counts, aseptic technique,
patient positioning, and postoperative procedures; (2) Infection Control and Sterilization,
addressing sterilization methods, biological and chemical indicators, standard precautions,
disinfection levels, and sterile storage; (3) Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment,
covering instrument classification, electrosurgical devices, endoscopic systems, hemostatic
agents, and instrument care; (4) Patient Care and Safety, including patient identification
protocols, fire safety, sharps management, DVT prophylaxis, and emergency management;
(5) Surgical Pharmacology, addressing local anesthetics, hemostatic agents, antibiotics,
neuromuscular blockers, irrigating solutions, and medication verification protocols; (6)
Anatomy and Physiology, covering surgical anatomy of all major body systems, vascular
landmarks, and nerve pathways relevant to the operating room; and (7) Specific Surgical
Procedures, spanning general, orthopedic, cardiovascular, neurological, gynecological,
urological, ophthalmic, and ENT surgical specialties. Each of the 150 questions is mapped to
a distinct sub-topic, ensuring thorough, non-overlapping coverage aligned with the official
NBSTSA domain blueprint. Mastery of these domains demonstrates professional readiness
for competent, safe, and ethical operating room execution as a certified surgical
technologist.
Question 1: During the preoperative phase, the surgical technologist's PRIMARY
responsibility is to:
A. Write the surgeon's operative orders in the medical record
B. Determine the type of anesthesia the patient will receive
C. Administer preoperative medications to the patient
, D. Verify the surgical consent form, confirm the procedure, and ensure all
supplies, instruments, and equipment are prepared
Correct Answer: D. Verify the surgical consent form, confirm the procedure, and
ensure all supplies, instruments, and equipment are prepared
Rationale: The CST's preoperative role centers on verification, preparation, and readiness.
Administering medications (A) is a nursing/anesthesia function. Anesthesia selection (C) is
the anesthesiologist's role. Writing orders (D) is the surgeon's responsibility.
Question 2: The surgical time-out performed immediately before incision must include
verification of:
A. The cafeteria menu for the surgical team's lunch break
B. The correct patient identity, correct surgical site, correct procedure, and
availability of required implants or special equipment
C. The surgeon's continuing education credits
D. Only the patient's insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B. The correct patient identity, correct surgical site, correct
procedure, and availability of required implants or special equipment
Rationale: The Universal Protocol time-out verifies patient, site, procedure, and equipment.
Insurance (A), cafeteria scheduling (C), and CE credits (D) are unrelated to the surgical
safety checklist.
Question 3: In the 'scrub role,' the surgical technologist is responsible for:
A. Transporting the patient from the recovery room to the hospital floor
B. Monitoring the patient's vital signs throughout the procedure
C. Maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments, and anticipating the
surgeon's needs during the procedure
D. Administering general anesthesia
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments, and anticipating
the surgeon's needs during the procedure
Rationale: The scrub role involves sterile field management, instrument handling, and
surgical anticipation. Vital sign monitoring (A) is the circulator/anesthesia role. Anesthesia
,(C) is the anesthesiologist's role. Patient transport (D) is a post-op function outside the
scrub role.
Question 4: Counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments are performed at which critical
times during a surgical procedure?
A. Only at the beginning of the case
B. Only when the surgeon specifically requests a count
C. Before the procedure begins, before closure of a cavity within a cavity, before
wound closure begins, and at skin closure
D. Only after the patient leaves the operating room
Correct Answer: C. Before the procedure begins, before closure of a cavity within a
cavity, before wound closure begins, and at skin closure
Rationale: Standard of care requires counts at multiple critical points: initial, cavity-within-
cavity closure, wound closure, and skin closure. Counting only at the beginning (A), only
post-op (C), or only on request (D) fails to meet safety standards.
Question 5: The circulating surgical technologist or nurse is responsible for:
A. Performing the surgical incision
B. Managing activities outside the sterile field, documenting, opening supplies,
and coordinating with other departments
C. Selecting the type of suture material without surgeon input
D. Passing instruments directly to the surgeon from the sterile field
Correct Answer: B. Managing activities outside the sterile field, documenting, opening
supplies, and coordinating with other departments
Rationale: The circulator manages non-sterile activities, documentation, and coordination.
Passing instruments (A) is the scrub role. Incision (C) is the surgeon's role. Suture selection
(D) requires surgeon direction.
Question 6: The primary purpose of the surgical hand scrub is to:
A. Reduce the number of transient and resident microorganisms on the hands
and arms to the lowest possible level
, B. Sterilize the hands and forearms completely
C. Remove visible dirt only without regard to microorganisms
D. Apply lotion to keep the skin moisturized during surgery
Correct Answer: A. Reduce the number of transient and resident microorganisms on
the hands and arms to the lowest possible level
Rationale: The surgical scrub reduces microbial count but does not achieve sterility (A). It
is not a moisturizing step (C) or limited to visible dirt removal (D).
Question 7: When donning a sterile surgical gown, the surgical technologist should:
A. Don the gown over street clothes without changing into scrub attire
B. Touch the outside of the gown freely since it is already sterile
C. Have the circulator tie the gown before gloving
D. Grasp the gown at the neckline, allow it to unfold away from the body, and
insert arms without touching the outer surface
Correct Answer: D. Grasp the gown at the neckline, allow it to unfold away from the
body, and insert arms without touching the outer surface
Rationale: Closed gowning technique requires grasping at the neckline and avoiding
contamination. Touching the exterior (A) breaks sterility. Tying before gloving (C) requires
the circulator to touch the sterile back tie. Street clothes (D) violate infection control.
Question 8: The correct order for removing personal protective equipment after a
contaminated procedure is:
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask and eye protection
B. Eye protection first, then mask, then gown, then gloves
C. No specific order is required
D. Mask first, then gloves, then gown
Correct Answer: A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask and eye protection
Rationale: Gloves are the most contaminated and removed first, followed by gown, then
mask/eye protection. Other sequences (A, C) risk self-contamination. A specific order is
always required (D).
Technologist
Comprehensive Assessment
Year: 2026–2027 | Total Questions: 150 | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination, administered by the National Board
of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), is the definitive credentialing
assessment for surgical technology professionals. This comprehensive question bank covers
all key domains of the official NBSTSA blueprint: (1) Perioperative Care, encompassing
preoperative preparation, intraoperative responsibilities, surgical counts, aseptic technique,
patient positioning, and postoperative procedures; (2) Infection Control and Sterilization,
addressing sterilization methods, biological and chemical indicators, standard precautions,
disinfection levels, and sterile storage; (3) Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment,
covering instrument classification, electrosurgical devices, endoscopic systems, hemostatic
agents, and instrument care; (4) Patient Care and Safety, including patient identification
protocols, fire safety, sharps management, DVT prophylaxis, and emergency management;
(5) Surgical Pharmacology, addressing local anesthetics, hemostatic agents, antibiotics,
neuromuscular blockers, irrigating solutions, and medication verification protocols; (6)
Anatomy and Physiology, covering surgical anatomy of all major body systems, vascular
landmarks, and nerve pathways relevant to the operating room; and (7) Specific Surgical
Procedures, spanning general, orthopedic, cardiovascular, neurological, gynecological,
urological, ophthalmic, and ENT surgical specialties. Each of the 150 questions is mapped to
a distinct sub-topic, ensuring thorough, non-overlapping coverage aligned with the official
NBSTSA domain blueprint. Mastery of these domains demonstrates professional readiness
for competent, safe, and ethical operating room execution as a certified surgical
technologist.
Question 1: During the preoperative phase, the surgical technologist's PRIMARY
responsibility is to:
A. Write the surgeon's operative orders in the medical record
B. Determine the type of anesthesia the patient will receive
C. Administer preoperative medications to the patient
, D. Verify the surgical consent form, confirm the procedure, and ensure all
supplies, instruments, and equipment are prepared
Correct Answer: D. Verify the surgical consent form, confirm the procedure, and
ensure all supplies, instruments, and equipment are prepared
Rationale: The CST's preoperative role centers on verification, preparation, and readiness.
Administering medications (A) is a nursing/anesthesia function. Anesthesia selection (C) is
the anesthesiologist's role. Writing orders (D) is the surgeon's responsibility.
Question 2: The surgical time-out performed immediately before incision must include
verification of:
A. The cafeteria menu for the surgical team's lunch break
B. The correct patient identity, correct surgical site, correct procedure, and
availability of required implants or special equipment
C. The surgeon's continuing education credits
D. Only the patient's insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B. The correct patient identity, correct surgical site, correct
procedure, and availability of required implants or special equipment
Rationale: The Universal Protocol time-out verifies patient, site, procedure, and equipment.
Insurance (A), cafeteria scheduling (C), and CE credits (D) are unrelated to the surgical
safety checklist.
Question 3: In the 'scrub role,' the surgical technologist is responsible for:
A. Transporting the patient from the recovery room to the hospital floor
B. Monitoring the patient's vital signs throughout the procedure
C. Maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments, and anticipating the
surgeon's needs during the procedure
D. Administering general anesthesia
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments, and anticipating
the surgeon's needs during the procedure
Rationale: The scrub role involves sterile field management, instrument handling, and
surgical anticipation. Vital sign monitoring (A) is the circulator/anesthesia role. Anesthesia
,(C) is the anesthesiologist's role. Patient transport (D) is a post-op function outside the
scrub role.
Question 4: Counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments are performed at which critical
times during a surgical procedure?
A. Only at the beginning of the case
B. Only when the surgeon specifically requests a count
C. Before the procedure begins, before closure of a cavity within a cavity, before
wound closure begins, and at skin closure
D. Only after the patient leaves the operating room
Correct Answer: C. Before the procedure begins, before closure of a cavity within a
cavity, before wound closure begins, and at skin closure
Rationale: Standard of care requires counts at multiple critical points: initial, cavity-within-
cavity closure, wound closure, and skin closure. Counting only at the beginning (A), only
post-op (C), or only on request (D) fails to meet safety standards.
Question 5: The circulating surgical technologist or nurse is responsible for:
A. Performing the surgical incision
B. Managing activities outside the sterile field, documenting, opening supplies,
and coordinating with other departments
C. Selecting the type of suture material without surgeon input
D. Passing instruments directly to the surgeon from the sterile field
Correct Answer: B. Managing activities outside the sterile field, documenting, opening
supplies, and coordinating with other departments
Rationale: The circulator manages non-sterile activities, documentation, and coordination.
Passing instruments (A) is the scrub role. Incision (C) is the surgeon's role. Suture selection
(D) requires surgeon direction.
Question 6: The primary purpose of the surgical hand scrub is to:
A. Reduce the number of transient and resident microorganisms on the hands
and arms to the lowest possible level
, B. Sterilize the hands and forearms completely
C. Remove visible dirt only without regard to microorganisms
D. Apply lotion to keep the skin moisturized during surgery
Correct Answer: A. Reduce the number of transient and resident microorganisms on
the hands and arms to the lowest possible level
Rationale: The surgical scrub reduces microbial count but does not achieve sterility (A). It
is not a moisturizing step (C) or limited to visible dirt removal (D).
Question 7: When donning a sterile surgical gown, the surgical technologist should:
A. Don the gown over street clothes without changing into scrub attire
B. Touch the outside of the gown freely since it is already sterile
C. Have the circulator tie the gown before gloving
D. Grasp the gown at the neckline, allow it to unfold away from the body, and
insert arms without touching the outer surface
Correct Answer: D. Grasp the gown at the neckline, allow it to unfold away from the
body, and insert arms without touching the outer surface
Rationale: Closed gowning technique requires grasping at the neckline and avoiding
contamination. Touching the exterior (A) breaks sterility. Tying before gloving (C) requires
the circulator to touch the sterile back tie. Street clothes (D) violate infection control.
Question 8: The correct order for removing personal protective equipment after a
contaminated procedure is:
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask and eye protection
B. Eye protection first, then mask, then gown, then gloves
C. No specific order is required
D. Mask first, then gloves, then gown
Correct Answer: A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask and eye protection
Rationale: Gloves are the most contaminated and removed first, followed by gown, then
mask/eye protection. Other sequences (A, C) risk self-contamination. A specific order is
always required (D).
