UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
How does a Surgical Technologist become certified? - CORRECT ANSWER - You have to be
certified by the NBTSA and they have to pass the AST examination
What body oversees the certification process - CORRECT ANSWER - The body that oversees
the certification process is the National Board or Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
What associations play a role in accrediting surgical technology programs? - CORRECT
ANSWER - ARC/STSA - Accreditation Review Council on Education in surgical Technology
and surgical Assisting, CAAHEP- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs,and ABHES- Accrediting Bureau of Health education Schools.
What Role do the ARC-ST and CAAHEP play in the accrediting process? - CORRECT
ANSWER - In the accrediting process ARC-ST and CAAHEP plays the role of a
recommendation of the ARC/STSA
Why is accreditation important for the program, the student, and employer? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Accreditation is important because it helps determine if an institution meets or
exceeds the minimum standards of quality.
Define Certifacation - CORRECT ANSWER - Certification- Acknowledgment by a private
agency that a person has achieved a minimum level of knowledge and skill.
How is certification for the surgical technologist obtained? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Receiving a passing grade on the examination confers the right to certification and the title
certified Surgical Technologist.
, Why is certification important? - CORRECT ANSWER - Certification is important because it
demonstrates that the student has obtained the knowledge and an understanding of the principles
of surgical technology
who is eligible to sit for a certification exam? - CORRECT ANSWER - A graduate of a
Surgical technology program that has been accredited by CAAHEP or by the ABHES.
The individual must have been previously or currently is a CST
Graduated from accredited military programs and previously certified surgical technologists
What is NCCT certification, and who is eligible? - CORRECT ANSWER - The NCCT
certification is the National Center of Competency Testing, it is eligible for nonaccredited
programs and on job site training
What is licensure? - CORRECT ANSWER - Licensure is a professional status, granted by
state government, that defines the limits (scope) of practice and regulates who holds a license
Define sterile and non sterile personnel - CORRECT ANSWER - Sterile personnel is a
member of the surgical team who has performed a surgical scrub, have sterile gowns and gloves
on, or assist in the surgery. A non-sterile personnel is someone who is not surgically scrubbed in
or in the proper gown material EX: circulator
What are consequences to the patient and surgical team if the surgical tech does not maintain
honesty, and surgical conscience in his/her practice? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
consequences could be that the patient is at a high risk of a surgical site infection which may
cause death. This puts the team at risk of a lawsuit
Why are organization skills important for the surgical technologist to possess? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Organization skills are important to maintain a safe environment because you do
not want to be searching for tools on a messy back table as well as working as quickly and
efficiently as possible
Define Prioritization - CORRECT ANSWER - Prioritization is when you organize or do
something in order to the priority