NBSTSA CST (Certified Surgical Technologist)
Practice Exam 1, 2 and 3 - Complete Guide |
Complete Test Bank with 200+ Questions,
Answers, and Detailed Rationales | Based on
NBSTSA Exam Content Outline | Latest Edition -
2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
About the CST Exam
The NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam consists of 175
questions, with 150 scored items and 25 pretest items (unscored). Domains
include:
Domain Number of Items Percentage
Peri-Operative Care 97 items 55%
Ancillary Duties 23 items 13%
Basic Science 30 items 17%
Patient Care Concepts 15 items 9%
Professional Practice 10 items 6%
Passing score is determined by the NBSTSA based on psychometric analysis and
content validation.
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1-50)
• Section 2: Microbiology & Infection Control (Questions 51-75)
• Section 3: Surgical Procedures & Specialties (Questions 76-110)
• Section 4: Sterilization & Aseptic Technique (Questions 111-130)
• Section 5: Pharmacology & Medical Terminology (Questions 131-150)
• Section 6: Surgical Instrumentation (Questions 151-175)
• Section 7: Patient Positioning & Safety (Questions 176-195)
• Section 8: Professional Practice & Legal Issues (Questions 196-210)
pg. 1
,SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Questions 1-50
Question 1
Which cranial nerve is affected by trigeminal neuralgia?
A. I
B. V
C. VI
D. VII
Answer: B
Rationale: Trigeminal neuralgia affects Cranial Nerve V (the trigeminal nerve).
This nerve is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as
biting and chewing. Cranial Nerve I is olfactory (smell), VI is abducens (eye
movement), and VII is facial (facial expressions).
Question 2
What is used to lubricate the donor site and reduce friction from the dermatome?
A. Bacitracin ointment
B. Iodophor solution
C. Petrolatum gel
D. Mineral oil
Answer: D
Rationale: Mineral oil is used to lubricate the donor site and reduce friction when
using a dermatome for split-thickness skin grafts. It allows the dermatome to glide
smoothly over the skin surface, preventing tearing or uneven graft thickness.
Petrolatum gel may be used postoperatively, but mineral oil is the standard
lubricant during harvest.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of proper sterile technique when performing
the prep for a split-thickness skin graft?
pg. 2
,A. Donor site first
B. Recipient site first
C. Donor site only
D. Recipient site only
Answer: A
Rationale: The donor site is prepped first to prevent contamination from the
recipient site. This follows the principle of moving from clean to dirty areas to
minimize infection risk. The donor site is considered clean (healthy skin), while
the recipient site may be contaminated or infected.
Question 4
What is the recommended range of intra-abdominal pressure in an adult patient
when using an insufflator during a laparoscopic procedure?
A. 8-11 mm Hg
B. 12-15 mm Hg
C. 16-19 mm Hg
D. 20-23 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended intra-abdominal pressure for adult laparoscopic
procedures is 12-15 mm Hg. Higher pressures can compromise ventilation and
cardiac output by compressing the inferior vena cava. Pressures above 15-20 mm
Hg can lead to decreased venous return and potential cardiovascular compromise.
Question 5
Which of these terms refers to the inability to direct both eyes at the same object?
A. Strabismus
B. Chalazion
C. Glaucoma
D. Cataract
Answer: A
Rationale: Strabismus is the condition where the eyes are not properly aligned and
cannot direct both eyes at the same object. It is commonly known as "crossed eyes"
pg. 3
, or "wandering eye." Chalazion is a blocked oil gland in the eyelid; glaucoma is
increased intraocular pressure; cataract is clouding of the lens.
Question 6
What procedure is performed to correct chronic cerebral ischemia?
A. Rhizotomy
B. Cranioplasty
C. Arteriography
D. Endarterectomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Endarterectomy is performed to correct chronic cerebral ischemia by
removing atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery, restoring blood flow to the
brain. Rhizotomy severs nerve roots; cranioplasty repairs cranial defects;
arteriography is diagnostic imaging of arteries.
Question 7
According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage is assigned to the front and back
of the trunk?
A. 27%
B. 36%
C. 18%
D. 9%
Answer: B
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, the anterior trunk is 18% and the
posterior trunk is 18%, totaling 36% for the entire trunk. The body is divided into
9% or multiples of 9% for burn assessment: head and neck (9%), each arm (9%),
each leg (18%), anterior trunk (18%), posterior trunk (18%), and perineum (1%).
Question 8
Which term refers to an abnormal increase in the number of cells?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
pg. 4
Practice Exam 1, 2 and 3 - Complete Guide |
Complete Test Bank with 200+ Questions,
Answers, and Detailed Rationales | Based on
NBSTSA Exam Content Outline | Latest Edition -
2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
About the CST Exam
The NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam consists of 175
questions, with 150 scored items and 25 pretest items (unscored). Domains
include:
Domain Number of Items Percentage
Peri-Operative Care 97 items 55%
Ancillary Duties 23 items 13%
Basic Science 30 items 17%
Patient Care Concepts 15 items 9%
Professional Practice 10 items 6%
Passing score is determined by the NBSTSA based on psychometric analysis and
content validation.
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1-50)
• Section 2: Microbiology & Infection Control (Questions 51-75)
• Section 3: Surgical Procedures & Specialties (Questions 76-110)
• Section 4: Sterilization & Aseptic Technique (Questions 111-130)
• Section 5: Pharmacology & Medical Terminology (Questions 131-150)
• Section 6: Surgical Instrumentation (Questions 151-175)
• Section 7: Patient Positioning & Safety (Questions 176-195)
• Section 8: Professional Practice & Legal Issues (Questions 196-210)
pg. 1
,SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Questions 1-50
Question 1
Which cranial nerve is affected by trigeminal neuralgia?
A. I
B. V
C. VI
D. VII
Answer: B
Rationale: Trigeminal neuralgia affects Cranial Nerve V (the trigeminal nerve).
This nerve is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as
biting and chewing. Cranial Nerve I is olfactory (smell), VI is abducens (eye
movement), and VII is facial (facial expressions).
Question 2
What is used to lubricate the donor site and reduce friction from the dermatome?
A. Bacitracin ointment
B. Iodophor solution
C. Petrolatum gel
D. Mineral oil
Answer: D
Rationale: Mineral oil is used to lubricate the donor site and reduce friction when
using a dermatome for split-thickness skin grafts. It allows the dermatome to glide
smoothly over the skin surface, preventing tearing or uneven graft thickness.
Petrolatum gel may be used postoperatively, but mineral oil is the standard
lubricant during harvest.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of proper sterile technique when performing
the prep for a split-thickness skin graft?
pg. 2
,A. Donor site first
B. Recipient site first
C. Donor site only
D. Recipient site only
Answer: A
Rationale: The donor site is prepped first to prevent contamination from the
recipient site. This follows the principle of moving from clean to dirty areas to
minimize infection risk. The donor site is considered clean (healthy skin), while
the recipient site may be contaminated or infected.
Question 4
What is the recommended range of intra-abdominal pressure in an adult patient
when using an insufflator during a laparoscopic procedure?
A. 8-11 mm Hg
B. 12-15 mm Hg
C. 16-19 mm Hg
D. 20-23 mm Hg
Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended intra-abdominal pressure for adult laparoscopic
procedures is 12-15 mm Hg. Higher pressures can compromise ventilation and
cardiac output by compressing the inferior vena cava. Pressures above 15-20 mm
Hg can lead to decreased venous return and potential cardiovascular compromise.
Question 5
Which of these terms refers to the inability to direct both eyes at the same object?
A. Strabismus
B. Chalazion
C. Glaucoma
D. Cataract
Answer: A
Rationale: Strabismus is the condition where the eyes are not properly aligned and
cannot direct both eyes at the same object. It is commonly known as "crossed eyes"
pg. 3
, or "wandering eye." Chalazion is a blocked oil gland in the eyelid; glaucoma is
increased intraocular pressure; cataract is clouding of the lens.
Question 6
What procedure is performed to correct chronic cerebral ischemia?
A. Rhizotomy
B. Cranioplasty
C. Arteriography
D. Endarterectomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Endarterectomy is performed to correct chronic cerebral ischemia by
removing atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery, restoring blood flow to the
brain. Rhizotomy severs nerve roots; cranioplasty repairs cranial defects;
arteriography is diagnostic imaging of arteries.
Question 7
According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage is assigned to the front and back
of the trunk?
A. 27%
B. 36%
C. 18%
D. 9%
Answer: B
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, the anterior trunk is 18% and the
posterior trunk is 18%, totaling 36% for the entire trunk. The body is divided into
9% or multiples of 9% for burn assessment: head and neck (9%), each arm (9%),
each leg (18%), anterior trunk (18%), posterior trunk (18%), and perineum (1%).
Question 8
Which term refers to an abnormal increase in the number of cells?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
pg. 4
