NCCT SURGICAL TECH PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE 2025 |
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
(ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSION (JUST RELEASED) |
PROFESSOR VERIFIED
Question 1
While preparing to do an abdominal hysterectomy on a 500-pound female, the surgical
technologist begins to retrieve supplies and instrumentation. Which of the following retractor
systems should the technologist retrieve for this case?
A) Weitlaner
B) Gelpi
C) Balfour
D) Bookwalter
E) O'Sullivan-O'Connor
Correct Answer: D) Bookwalter
Rationale: The Bookwalter is a table-mounted, self-retaining retractor system. Its design is
ideal for providing wide and stable retraction in deep abdominal cavities, especially in
morbidly obese patients, as it frees up personnel from holding manual retractors and offers
excellent exposure.
Question 2
An emaciated patient is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy with removal of excessive
skin on bilateral thighs. The circulator has opted to place the ESU grounding pad on the patient's
forearm. The surgical technologist should suggest that the ESU pad be removed and placed on
which of the following locations?
A) The calf
B) The buttocks
C) The upper arm
D) The scapula
E) The ankle
Correct Answer: B) The buttocks
Rationale: The electrosurgical unit (ESU) grounding pad, or dispersive electrode, must be
,placed over a large, well-vascularized muscle mass to safely dissipate the electrical current
and prevent patient burns. In an emaciated patient, the forearm may not have enough tissue.
The buttocks or thigh are preferred locations as they provide a large surface area with
adequate muscle.
Question 3
Which of the following is a critical component of performing the initial count for any surgical
procedure?
A) Counting instruments only after they have been used.
B) The circulator and surgical technologist counting audibly and viewing each item together.
C) Asking the surgeon to verify the sponge count before the first incision.
D) Limiting the initial count to only sharps and needles.
E) The surgical technologist performing the count alone to save time.
Correct Answer: B) The circulator and surgical technologist counting audibly and viewing each
item together.
Rationale: A proper surgical count requires the shared, active participation of both the
circulator and the scrubbed surgical technologist. They must count each item (sponges,
sharps, instruments, etc.) concurrently, and each item must be audibly identified and visually
confirmed by both individuals to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
Question 4
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a repair of an abdominal aortic
aneurysm. The aneurysm ruptures during transport from the operating room bed to the
stretcher. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take next?
A) Immediately break scrub to help with resuscitation.
B) Begin cleaning the back table.
C) Don a new sterile gown and gloves over the old ones.
D) Wait for the surgeon's instructions before acting.
E) Don new gown and gloves using the open-gloving technique.
,Correct Answer: E) Don new gown and gloves using the open-gloving technique.
Rationale: In an emergency situation like a ruptured aneurysm, the patient will be
immediately returned to the OR table. The surgical technologist must quickly re-establish
sterility to assist. The fastest and most appropriate action is to remove the existing
contaminated gown and gloves and then re-gown and re-glove to be ready to provide sterile
instruments.
Question 5
Which of the following is a specialized type of clip used to help maintain hemostasis on the
edges of the scalp during neurosurgery?
A) Hemoclips
B) Yasargil clips
C) Raney clips
D) Ligating clips
E) Michel clips
Correct Answer: C) Raney clips
Rationale: Raney clips are specifically designed for neurosurgical procedures. They are applied
to the scalp edges after the incision is made. Their function is to provide continuous pressure
on the highly vascular scalp tissue to control bleeding throughout the craniotomy.
Question 6
At the beginning of an operative procedure, the surgeon makes the initial incision and
encounters bleeding. Which combination of items should the surgical technologist have ready
to assist with hemostasis?
A) Scalpel, forceps, and suture
B) Retractor, irrigation, and dressing
C) Electrosurgical pen, sponge, and suction device
D) Hemostat, knife handle, and skin stapler
E) Needle holder, scissors, and surgical glue
, Correct Answer: C) Electrosurgical pen, sponge, and suction device
Rationale: The three primary methods for controlling bleeding immediately after an incision
are coagulation with an electrosurgical device, applying direct pressure with a sponge, and
clearing the surgical site of blood with suction for better visualization. This combination is
essential for initial hemostasis.
Question 7
The patient will need a surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder. Which
of the following is the correct method for completing this prep?
A) Begin at the fingertips and prep up to the shoulder, including the axilla last.
B) Begin at the shoulder and move down to the fingertips, prepping the axilla last.
C) Prep only the shoulder and axilla region to save time.
D) Prep the chest and flank first, then the arm and shoulder.
E) Begin at the axilla and prep outwards in a circular motion.
Correct Answer: B) Begin at the shoulder and move down to the fingertips, prepping the axilla
last.
Rationale: When prepping a limb for a major procedure like disarticulation, the prep should
begin at the incision site (the shoulder) and move downwards towards the periphery (the
fingertips). The axilla is considered a contaminated area and should be prepped last with
separate sponges to prevent transferring microorganisms to the primary surgical site.
Question 8
When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with Tuberculosis (TB), which of the
following high-level disinfection methods should be employed?
A) Steam autoclave
B) Steris (peracetic acid)
C) Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
D) Dry heat sterilization
E) Ionizing radiation
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
(ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSION (JUST RELEASED) |
PROFESSOR VERIFIED
Question 1
While preparing to do an abdominal hysterectomy on a 500-pound female, the surgical
technologist begins to retrieve supplies and instrumentation. Which of the following retractor
systems should the technologist retrieve for this case?
A) Weitlaner
B) Gelpi
C) Balfour
D) Bookwalter
E) O'Sullivan-O'Connor
Correct Answer: D) Bookwalter
Rationale: The Bookwalter is a table-mounted, self-retaining retractor system. Its design is
ideal for providing wide and stable retraction in deep abdominal cavities, especially in
morbidly obese patients, as it frees up personnel from holding manual retractors and offers
excellent exposure.
Question 2
An emaciated patient is scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy with removal of excessive
skin on bilateral thighs. The circulator has opted to place the ESU grounding pad on the patient's
forearm. The surgical technologist should suggest that the ESU pad be removed and placed on
which of the following locations?
A) The calf
B) The buttocks
C) The upper arm
D) The scapula
E) The ankle
Correct Answer: B) The buttocks
Rationale: The electrosurgical unit (ESU) grounding pad, or dispersive electrode, must be
,placed over a large, well-vascularized muscle mass to safely dissipate the electrical current
and prevent patient burns. In an emaciated patient, the forearm may not have enough tissue.
The buttocks or thigh are preferred locations as they provide a large surface area with
adequate muscle.
Question 3
Which of the following is a critical component of performing the initial count for any surgical
procedure?
A) Counting instruments only after they have been used.
B) The circulator and surgical technologist counting audibly and viewing each item together.
C) Asking the surgeon to verify the sponge count before the first incision.
D) Limiting the initial count to only sharps and needles.
E) The surgical technologist performing the count alone to save time.
Correct Answer: B) The circulator and surgical technologist counting audibly and viewing each
item together.
Rationale: A proper surgical count requires the shared, active participation of both the
circulator and the scrubbed surgical technologist. They must count each item (sponges,
sharps, instruments, etc.) concurrently, and each item must be audibly identified and visually
confirmed by both individuals to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
Question 4
The surgical technologist has just completed scrubbing for a repair of an abdominal aortic
aneurysm. The aneurysm ruptures during transport from the operating room bed to the
stretcher. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist take next?
A) Immediately break scrub to help with resuscitation.
B) Begin cleaning the back table.
C) Don a new sterile gown and gloves over the old ones.
D) Wait for the surgeon's instructions before acting.
E) Don new gown and gloves using the open-gloving technique.
,Correct Answer: E) Don new gown and gloves using the open-gloving technique.
Rationale: In an emergency situation like a ruptured aneurysm, the patient will be
immediately returned to the OR table. The surgical technologist must quickly re-establish
sterility to assist. The fastest and most appropriate action is to remove the existing
contaminated gown and gloves and then re-gown and re-glove to be ready to provide sterile
instruments.
Question 5
Which of the following is a specialized type of clip used to help maintain hemostasis on the
edges of the scalp during neurosurgery?
A) Hemoclips
B) Yasargil clips
C) Raney clips
D) Ligating clips
E) Michel clips
Correct Answer: C) Raney clips
Rationale: Raney clips are specifically designed for neurosurgical procedures. They are applied
to the scalp edges after the incision is made. Their function is to provide continuous pressure
on the highly vascular scalp tissue to control bleeding throughout the craniotomy.
Question 6
At the beginning of an operative procedure, the surgeon makes the initial incision and
encounters bleeding. Which combination of items should the surgical technologist have ready
to assist with hemostasis?
A) Scalpel, forceps, and suture
B) Retractor, irrigation, and dressing
C) Electrosurgical pen, sponge, and suction device
D) Hemostat, knife handle, and skin stapler
E) Needle holder, scissors, and surgical glue
, Correct Answer: C) Electrosurgical pen, sponge, and suction device
Rationale: The three primary methods for controlling bleeding immediately after an incision
are coagulation with an electrosurgical device, applying direct pressure with a sponge, and
clearing the surgical site of blood with suction for better visualization. This combination is
essential for initial hemostasis.
Question 7
The patient will need a surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder. Which
of the following is the correct method for completing this prep?
A) Begin at the fingertips and prep up to the shoulder, including the axilla last.
B) Begin at the shoulder and move down to the fingertips, prepping the axilla last.
C) Prep only the shoulder and axilla region to save time.
D) Prep the chest and flank first, then the arm and shoulder.
E) Begin at the axilla and prep outwards in a circular motion.
Correct Answer: B) Begin at the shoulder and move down to the fingertips, prepping the axilla
last.
Rationale: When prepping a limb for a major procedure like disarticulation, the prep should
begin at the incision site (the shoulder) and move downwards towards the periphery (the
fingertips). The axilla is considered a contaminated area and should be prepped last with
separate sponges to prevent transferring microorganisms to the primary surgical site.
Question 8
When disinfecting a flexible endoscope used on a patient with Tuberculosis (TB), which of the
following high-level disinfection methods should be employed?
A) Steam autoclave
B) Steris (peracetic acid)
C) Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
D) Dry heat sterilization
E) Ionizing radiation
