Surgical Technology NBSTSA EXAM
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into
the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT
step? - CORRECT ANSWER - Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical technologist
begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back.
According to best practice, which of the following should be the NEXT step? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT
ANSWER - padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp
the cervix? - CORRECT ANSWER - Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively? - CORRECT ANSWER -
three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the -
CORRECT ANSWER - contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER - hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional - CORRECT ANSWER - lap sponges.
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the - CORRECT ANSWER - epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situation can a DNR order be continued in a unconscious patient for a
surgical procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient durable POA requests it be
continued
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the following BEST
describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER - to
aid visual inspection for leakage
,The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is - CORRECT ANSWER - 15-25.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following
departments should be consulted? - CORRECT ANSWER - pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures? - CORRECT ANSWER - Place them in a labeled cup
and keep them with the patient's chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety precaution, the
surgical technologist should have which of the following special equipment open and available? -
CORRECT ANSWER - smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery?
- CORRECT ANSWER - vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including - CORRECT ANSWER -
sodium, potassium, and calcium.
Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding
occurring from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? - CORRECT ANSWER - pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation? -
CORRECT ANSWER - green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by - CORRECT ANSWER -
incision of the dura mater.
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs the initial
skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this time? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field
intraoperatively because it - CORRECT ANSWER - is sent to pathology immediately.
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the
surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer? - CORRECT ANSWER - 0
suture and toothed tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist's glove. What should the
surgical technologist do NEXT? - CORRECT ANSWER - Change the glove using the open-
gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP) setup? - CORRECT ANSWER - resectoscope
,Which of the following terms describes airway assessment by listening with a stethoscope? -
CORRECT ANSWER - auscultation
- the act of listening to the lungs, heart, or abdomen through the stethoscope.
Which of the following techniques promotes safety and protection of the surgical technologist
during the intraoperative phase? - CORRECT ANSWER - establishing a neutral zone
Which of the following verifies that autoclave sterilization has occurred? - CORRECT
ANSWER - biological indicator
Which of the following instruments is used in otorhinolaryngology surgery? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Baron
An organization that regulates the production of biological sterilization test packs in-house is -
CORRECT ANSWER - AAMI-Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a second mayo stand for the
placement of dirty surgical instruments. Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to
be placed on the second mayo stand? - CORRECT ANSWER - Allis forceps
When loading items in a gravity-displaced steam sterilizer, heavy packs should be placed -
CORRECT ANSWER - at the periphery of the load.
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A surgical
technologist should prepare a suture attached to which of the following types of needles? -
CORRECT ANSWER - blunt
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a vascular graft from one incision to
another? - CORRECT ANSWER - tunneler
Which of the following combination of medications are commonly used during a MAC?
A.
nerve conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or amnesics
B.
induction agents, anticholinergics, and antiemetics
C.
hemostatics, ringer's solution, analgesics, amnesics or sedatives
, D.
tranquilizers, gastric acid management, or lubricants - CORRECT ANSWER - nerve
conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or amnesics
Which of the following items must the surgical technologist have available after a
thyroidectomy?
A.
lap sponges, hemostatic clamps, and electrocautery.
B.
endotracheal tube, hemostatic clamps, and scalpel.
C.
knife handle, scalpel blade, and nasogastric tube.
D.
scalpel, hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube. - CORRECT ANSWER - scalpel,
hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube.
Which of the following is the name of the avascular strip of tissue at the midline which runs from
the xiphoid process to the pubis?
A.linea semilunaris
B.linea alba
C.arcuate line
D.midaxillary line - CORRECT ANSWER - linea alba
A three-way Foley catheter is inserted following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
in order to
A.
irrigate and aid in hemostasis.
B.
prevent the patient from getting out of bed.
C.
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into
the abdomen. Which of the following should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT
step? - CORRECT ANSWER - Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical technologist
begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back.
According to best practice, which of the following should be the NEXT step? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is
transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT
ANSWER - padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp
the cervix? - CORRECT ANSWER - Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively? - CORRECT ANSWER -
three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the -
CORRECT ANSWER - contaminating team member.
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER - hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist
should request additional - CORRECT ANSWER - lap sponges.
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the - CORRECT ANSWER - epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situation can a DNR order be continued in a unconscious patient for a
surgical procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient durable POA requests it be
continued
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the following BEST
describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER - to
aid visual inspection for leakage
,The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is - CORRECT ANSWER - 15-25.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following
departments should be consulted? - CORRECT ANSWER - pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper
procedure for the care of the dentures? - CORRECT ANSWER - Place them in a labeled cup
and keep them with the patient's chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety precaution, the
surgical technologist should have which of the following special equipment open and available? -
CORRECT ANSWER - smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery?
- CORRECT ANSWER - vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including - CORRECT ANSWER -
sodium, potassium, and calcium.
Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding
occurring from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? - CORRECT ANSWER - pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation? -
CORRECT ANSWER - green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by - CORRECT ANSWER -
incision of the dura mater.
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs the initial
skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this time? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field
intraoperatively because it - CORRECT ANSWER - is sent to pathology immediately.
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the
surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer? - CORRECT ANSWER - 0
suture and toothed tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist's glove. What should the
surgical technologist do NEXT? - CORRECT ANSWER - Change the glove using the open-
gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP) setup? - CORRECT ANSWER - resectoscope
,Which of the following terms describes airway assessment by listening with a stethoscope? -
CORRECT ANSWER - auscultation
- the act of listening to the lungs, heart, or abdomen through the stethoscope.
Which of the following techniques promotes safety and protection of the surgical technologist
during the intraoperative phase? - CORRECT ANSWER - establishing a neutral zone
Which of the following verifies that autoclave sterilization has occurred? - CORRECT
ANSWER - biological indicator
Which of the following instruments is used in otorhinolaryngology surgery? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Baron
An organization that regulates the production of biological sterilization test packs in-house is -
CORRECT ANSWER - AAMI-Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a second mayo stand for the
placement of dirty surgical instruments. Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to
be placed on the second mayo stand? - CORRECT ANSWER - Allis forceps
When loading items in a gravity-displaced steam sterilizer, heavy packs should be placed -
CORRECT ANSWER - at the periphery of the load.
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A surgical
technologist should prepare a suture attached to which of the following types of needles? -
CORRECT ANSWER - blunt
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a vascular graft from one incision to
another? - CORRECT ANSWER - tunneler
Which of the following combination of medications are commonly used during a MAC?
A.
nerve conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or amnesics
B.
induction agents, anticholinergics, and antiemetics
C.
hemostatics, ringer's solution, analgesics, amnesics or sedatives
, D.
tranquilizers, gastric acid management, or lubricants - CORRECT ANSWER - nerve
conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or amnesics
Which of the following items must the surgical technologist have available after a
thyroidectomy?
A.
lap sponges, hemostatic clamps, and electrocautery.
B.
endotracheal tube, hemostatic clamps, and scalpel.
C.
knife handle, scalpel blade, and nasogastric tube.
D.
scalpel, hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube. - CORRECT ANSWER - scalpel,
hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube.
Which of the following is the name of the avascular strip of tissue at the midline which runs from
the xiphoid process to the pubis?
A.linea semilunaris
B.linea alba
C.arcuate line
D.midaxillary line - CORRECT ANSWER - linea alba
A three-way Foley catheter is inserted following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
in order to
A.
irrigate and aid in hemostasis.
B.
prevent the patient from getting out of bed.
C.
