AST PRACRTICE EXAM QUETSIONS AND ANSWERS|UPDATED
VERSION|2025/2026
Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and
saved?
A. To donate to cancer patients
B. In case of need for future genetic testing
C. It is patient property
D. Prevent post-op surgical site infection - CORRECT ANSWERS It is patient
property
What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?
A. Skin hook
B. Penrose drain
C. Vessel loops
D. Umbilical tapes - CORRECT ANSWERS Penrose drain
Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed proir to a hysterectomy?
A. Record fulid intake
B. Avoid injury to bladder
C. Distend bladder
D. Demonstrate ureteral patency - CORRECT ANSWERS Avoid injury to the
bladder
When preparing a double basin for sterilization, the:
A. Basins should be separated by porous, absorbent towel
B. Sponges should be placed in the top basin
C. Wrapped package should be laid flat on the shelf of the sterilizing cart
D. Bottom basin should contain a residual of distilled water - CORRECT
ANSWERS Basins should be separated by porous, absorbent towel
1
,Which structure, during a total hip arthroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming
prior to placement of a prosthesis?
A. Femoral canal
B. Tibial plateau
C. Acetabular fossa
D. Greater trochanter - CORRECT ANSWERS Femoral canal
Which of the following is the least restrictive form of credentialing?
A. Certification
B. Licensure
C. Registration
D. Accreditation - CORRECT ANSWERS Registration
What drug classificaton is Demerol?
A. Dilator
B. Analgesic
C. Sedative
D. Vasoconstrictor - CORRECT ANSWERS Analgesic Which of the following
scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial incision?
A. Metzenbaum
B. Jorgenson
C. Iris
D. Potts-Smith - CORRECT ANSWERS Potts-Smith
Which of the following is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test
A. Lugol's solution
B. Indigo carmine
C. Methylene blue
2
,D. Acetic acid - CORRECT ANSWERS Lugol's solution
Which of the following arises from the left ventricle of the heart?
A. Ascending aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Decending aorta
D. Pulmonary artery - CORRECT ANSWERS Ascending aorta
What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the
sterilization process, but sterility is not guaranteed?
A. Mechanical
B. Biological
C. Chemical
D. Bowie-Dick - CORRECT ANSWERS Chemical
What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy?
A. Tracheotomy tray
B. Clean stent dressing
C. Extra Penrose drain
D. Antiembolic stockings - CORRECT ANSWERS Tracheotomy tray
What is the chemical abberviation for sodium chloride?
A. Fe
B. Hg
C. NaCl
D. H20 - CORRECT ANSWERS NaCl
3
, Which organelle is responsible for packaging of protiens
A. Golgi complex
B. Mitochondria
C. Nucleus
D. Ribosome - CORRECT ANSWERS Golgi complex
Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown below? (Hirschmann
anoscope)
A. D&C
B. Hemorrhoidectomy
C. Gastrostomy
D. TURP - CORRECT ANSWERS Hemorrhoidectomy
What types of treatment does a patient authorize when signing a general consent
form?
A. Only for receiving general anesthesia
B. Invasive surgical procedures
C. Receiving experimental drugs
D. All routine treatments and procedures - CORRECT ANSWERS All routine
treatments and procedures
Which medication can be used as a topical jelly during cystroscopy procedures?
A. Bupivacaine
B. Xylocaine
C. Sensorcaine
D. Procaine - CORRECT ANSWERS Xylocaine
Which of the following is a primary postoperative complication of carotid
endarterectomy?
4
VERSION|2025/2026
Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and
saved?
A. To donate to cancer patients
B. In case of need for future genetic testing
C. It is patient property
D. Prevent post-op surgical site infection - CORRECT ANSWERS It is patient
property
What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?
A. Skin hook
B. Penrose drain
C. Vessel loops
D. Umbilical tapes - CORRECT ANSWERS Penrose drain
Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed proir to a hysterectomy?
A. Record fulid intake
B. Avoid injury to bladder
C. Distend bladder
D. Demonstrate ureteral patency - CORRECT ANSWERS Avoid injury to the
bladder
When preparing a double basin for sterilization, the:
A. Basins should be separated by porous, absorbent towel
B. Sponges should be placed in the top basin
C. Wrapped package should be laid flat on the shelf of the sterilizing cart
D. Bottom basin should contain a residual of distilled water - CORRECT
ANSWERS Basins should be separated by porous, absorbent towel
1
,Which structure, during a total hip arthroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming
prior to placement of a prosthesis?
A. Femoral canal
B. Tibial plateau
C. Acetabular fossa
D. Greater trochanter - CORRECT ANSWERS Femoral canal
Which of the following is the least restrictive form of credentialing?
A. Certification
B. Licensure
C. Registration
D. Accreditation - CORRECT ANSWERS Registration
What drug classificaton is Demerol?
A. Dilator
B. Analgesic
C. Sedative
D. Vasoconstrictor - CORRECT ANSWERS Analgesic Which of the following
scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial incision?
A. Metzenbaum
B. Jorgenson
C. Iris
D. Potts-Smith - CORRECT ANSWERS Potts-Smith
Which of the following is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test
A. Lugol's solution
B. Indigo carmine
C. Methylene blue
2
,D. Acetic acid - CORRECT ANSWERS Lugol's solution
Which of the following arises from the left ventricle of the heart?
A. Ascending aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Decending aorta
D. Pulmonary artery - CORRECT ANSWERS Ascending aorta
What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the
sterilization process, but sterility is not guaranteed?
A. Mechanical
B. Biological
C. Chemical
D. Bowie-Dick - CORRECT ANSWERS Chemical
What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy?
A. Tracheotomy tray
B. Clean stent dressing
C. Extra Penrose drain
D. Antiembolic stockings - CORRECT ANSWERS Tracheotomy tray
What is the chemical abberviation for sodium chloride?
A. Fe
B. Hg
C. NaCl
D. H20 - CORRECT ANSWERS NaCl
3
, Which organelle is responsible for packaging of protiens
A. Golgi complex
B. Mitochondria
C. Nucleus
D. Ribosome - CORRECT ANSWERS Golgi complex
Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown below? (Hirschmann
anoscope)
A. D&C
B. Hemorrhoidectomy
C. Gastrostomy
D. TURP - CORRECT ANSWERS Hemorrhoidectomy
What types of treatment does a patient authorize when signing a general consent
form?
A. Only for receiving general anesthesia
B. Invasive surgical procedures
C. Receiving experimental drugs
D. All routine treatments and procedures - CORRECT ANSWERS All routine
treatments and procedures
Which medication can be used as a topical jelly during cystroscopy procedures?
A. Bupivacaine
B. Xylocaine
C. Sensorcaine
D. Procaine - CORRECT ANSWERS Xylocaine
Which of the following is a primary postoperative complication of carotid
endarterectomy?
4
