NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
Which of the following instrument loads should have a biological indicator during
the sterilization process?
A. neuro dissecting instrument tray
B. implantable instrumentation tray
C. vascular instrument tray
D. retractor instrument tray - ANSWERS-implantable instrumentation tray
QUESTION 2
The surgical technologist notices there is water in the bottom of a pan after lifting
the instrument basket out. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Change gloves and notify the circulating nurse and Sterile Processing.
B. Break down the entire setup, change gown and gloves, and notify the circulating
nurse.
C. Notify the surgeon, break down the entire setup, and notify the charge nurse.
D. Change gown and gloves, file an incident report, and notify the charge nurse. -
ANSWERS-Change gloves and notify the circulating nurse and Sterile Processing
END OF
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, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 3
Which of the following must the surgical technologist check before opening a
sterile wrapped package? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
A. integrity of the package
B. external chemical indicator
C. sterilization date
D. internal chemical indicator
E. load number - ANSWERS-integrity of the package, external chemical indicator
QUESTION 4
When removing the instrument tray from the casket the surgical technologist finds
no indicator. Which of the following should the technologist do next?
A. Put it back in the casket.
B. Put it on the back table.
C. Hand off and change gloves.
D. Hand off and resterilize the tray. - ANSWERS-Hand off and change gloves.
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, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 5
The surgical technologist is opening for an inguinal hernia repair and notices one
of the caskets containing instruments was partially opened. Which of the following
actions should the technologist take?
A. Continue to open since the caskets have been sterilized.
B. Consider the casket contaminated and ask for a new casket.
C. Remove all of the caskets because they have been contaminated by the open
casket.
D. Take only the instruments needed from the casket and discard the rest. -
ANSWERS-Consider the casket contaminated and ask for a new casket.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is the minimum number of times a surgical instrument
count should be performed for an open appendectomy case?
A. two
B. three
C. four
D. five - ANSWERS-three
END OF
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, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 7
During a preoperative count the number of sponges in a package is incorrect.
Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist and circulating
nurse take?
A. Discard the package and open a new one.
B. Document the shortage and continue the count.
C. Inform the surgeon immediately.
D. Open a new package and continue the count. - ANSWERS-Discard the package
and open a new one.
QUESTION 8
The surgical technologist and the circulator are doing an initial count and are short
one Raytec sponge. Which of the following should the technologist and circulator
do?
A. Make a note after the first count and continue with the case.
B. Remove the sponges from the room and open a new pack.
C. Call the OR supervisor for a count waiver on the sponge pack.
END OF
PAGE 4
PRACTICE
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
Which of the following instrument loads should have a biological indicator during
the sterilization process?
A. neuro dissecting instrument tray
B. implantable instrumentation tray
C. vascular instrument tray
D. retractor instrument tray - ANSWERS-implantable instrumentation tray
QUESTION 2
The surgical technologist notices there is water in the bottom of a pan after lifting
the instrument basket out. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take?
A. Change gloves and notify the circulating nurse and Sterile Processing.
B. Break down the entire setup, change gown and gloves, and notify the circulating
nurse.
C. Notify the surgeon, break down the entire setup, and notify the charge nurse.
D. Change gown and gloves, file an incident report, and notify the charge nurse. -
ANSWERS-Change gloves and notify the circulating nurse and Sterile Processing
END OF
PAGE 1
, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 3
Which of the following must the surgical technologist check before opening a
sterile wrapped package? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
A. integrity of the package
B. external chemical indicator
C. sterilization date
D. internal chemical indicator
E. load number - ANSWERS-integrity of the package, external chemical indicator
QUESTION 4
When removing the instrument tray from the casket the surgical technologist finds
no indicator. Which of the following should the technologist do next?
A. Put it back in the casket.
B. Put it on the back table.
C. Hand off and change gloves.
D. Hand off and resterilize the tray. - ANSWERS-Hand off and change gloves.
END OF
PAGE 2
, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 5
The surgical technologist is opening for an inguinal hernia repair and notices one
of the caskets containing instruments was partially opened. Which of the following
actions should the technologist take?
A. Continue to open since the caskets have been sterilized.
B. Consider the casket contaminated and ask for a new casket.
C. Remove all of the caskets because they have been contaminated by the open
casket.
D. Take only the instruments needed from the casket and discard the rest. -
ANSWERS-Consider the casket contaminated and ask for a new casket.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is the minimum number of times a surgical instrument
count should be performed for an open appendectomy case?
A. two
B. three
C. four
D. five - ANSWERS-three
END OF
PAGE 3
, NCCT SURGICAL TECH 2025
PRACTICE
QUESTION 7
During a preoperative count the number of sponges in a package is incorrect.
Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist and circulating
nurse take?
A. Discard the package and open a new one.
B. Document the shortage and continue the count.
C. Inform the surgeon immediately.
D. Open a new package and continue the count. - ANSWERS-Discard the package
and open a new one.
QUESTION 8
The surgical technologist and the circulator are doing an initial count and are short
one Raytec sponge. Which of the following should the technologist and circulator
do?
A. Make a note after the first count and continue with the case.
B. Remove the sponges from the room and open a new pack.
C. Call the OR supervisor for a count waiver on the sponge pack.
END OF
PAGE 4
