Certified Surgical Technologist Self-Assessment
Examination – Form A&B: Questions With Step-
by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is considered the MOST important skill for a
surgical technologist? Correct Answer - management of
specimens
The surgical incision that allows for the BEST visualization for a
Billroth I procedure is Correct Answer - midline
The midline incision runs along the linea alba and is used in most
abdominal procedures, as it provides visualization to most of the
abdominal contents.
During the postoperative phase, the personnel primarily responsible
for transporting soiled instrumentation to decontamination is the
Correct Answer - surgical technologist
CSF is formed in the lateral ventricles of a patient and may not
properly flow into the third ventricle through the foramen of
Correct Answer - Sylvius into the fourth ventricle
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical
technologist should prepare specimens using which of the following
methods? Correct Answer - Place in separate containers and
identify.
A surgical technologist received the following medications onto the
sterile field: 0.9% sodium chloride, bacitracin 1 gm, and 0.25%
Marcaine with epinephrine. Which of the following is the MOST
appropriate way to label these medications? Correct Answer -
0.9% saline + 1 gm bacitracin and 0.25% Marcaine with epinephrine
, A thyroidectomy that was done earlier in the day is being brought
back for excessive bleeding from the incision. Which of the following
items are needed for this case? Correct Answer - laps, silk ties,
and hemoclips
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of
specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted?
Correct Answer - pathology
The required number of air exchanges per hour in an OR is
Correct Answer - 15-20 (20-25 needed to minimize bacterial
growth)
A special-made instrument without a backup falls to the floor during
a procedure. Which of the following is the BEST reason to hesitate
performing immediate-use sterilization? Correct Answer - The
manufacturer's standards for sterilizing the instrument are
unknown.
When transferring a thoracotomy patient to recovery, the chest
drainage system should be Correct Answer - maintained below
the patient's chest level.
Which of the following procedures requires an incision in the
suprasternal notch? Correct Answer - mediastinoscopy
When preparing surgical specimens, in addition to the surgical
technologist, who else is responsible for accurately labeling the
specimen? Correct Answer - surgeon and circulating nurse
A T-tube drain may be used following Correct Answer - a
choledochotomy
Examination – Form A&B: Questions With Step-
by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is considered the MOST important skill for a
surgical technologist? Correct Answer - management of
specimens
The surgical incision that allows for the BEST visualization for a
Billroth I procedure is Correct Answer - midline
The midline incision runs along the linea alba and is used in most
abdominal procedures, as it provides visualization to most of the
abdominal contents.
During the postoperative phase, the personnel primarily responsible
for transporting soiled instrumentation to decontamination is the
Correct Answer - surgical technologist
CSF is formed in the lateral ventricles of a patient and may not
properly flow into the third ventricle through the foramen of
Correct Answer - Sylvius into the fourth ventricle
During an excisional biopsy of sentinel nodes, the surgical
technologist should prepare specimens using which of the following
methods? Correct Answer - Place in separate containers and
identify.
A surgical technologist received the following medications onto the
sterile field: 0.9% sodium chloride, bacitracin 1 gm, and 0.25%
Marcaine with epinephrine. Which of the following is the MOST
appropriate way to label these medications? Correct Answer -
0.9% saline + 1 gm bacitracin and 0.25% Marcaine with epinephrine
, A thyroidectomy that was done earlier in the day is being brought
back for excessive bleeding from the incision. Which of the following
items are needed for this case? Correct Answer - laps, silk ties,
and hemoclips
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of
specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted?
Correct Answer - pathology
The required number of air exchanges per hour in an OR is
Correct Answer - 15-20 (20-25 needed to minimize bacterial
growth)
A special-made instrument without a backup falls to the floor during
a procedure. Which of the following is the BEST reason to hesitate
performing immediate-use sterilization? Correct Answer - The
manufacturer's standards for sterilizing the instrument are
unknown.
When transferring a thoracotomy patient to recovery, the chest
drainage system should be Correct Answer - maintained below
the patient's chest level.
Which of the following procedures requires an incision in the
suprasternal notch? Correct Answer - mediastinoscopy
When preparing surgical specimens, in addition to the surgical
technologist, who else is responsible for accurately labeling the
specimen? Correct Answer - surgeon and circulating nurse
A T-tube drain may be used following Correct Answer - a
choledochotomy
