SURGICAL TECH CERTIFICATION EXAM | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED | GET IT
CORRECT!!!
1
Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing surgical
site infections (SSIs)?
A) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics preoperatively to all patients.
B) Minimizing surgical time.
C) Strict adherence to aseptic technique.
D) Using electrocautery for all incisions.
E) Postoperative wound irrigation with saline.
Correct Answer: C) Strict adherence to aseptic technique.
Rationale: Aseptic technique is the cornerstone of infection
prevention in surgery. It involves meticulous practices to prevent
contamination of the surgical field by microorganisms.
2
Before a surgical procedure begins, what is the first step a surgical
technologist should take after the patient is positioned and draped?
A) Hand the surgeon the scalpel.
B) Perform the surgical time-out (pause for a cause).
C) Connect the suction tubing.
D) Open the sterile instrument sets.
E) Apply the electrocautery grounding pad.
Correct Answer: B) Perform the surgical time-out (pause for a cause).
Rationale: The surgical time-out is a critical safety step performed by
the entire surgical team immediately before skin incision. It verifies
the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure, aligning
with the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist.
3
Which term describes the absence of all pathogenic microorganisms?
A) Antiseptic.
B) Disinfection.
,C) Sterilization.
D) Asepsis.
E) Sanitization.
Correct Answer: D) Asepsis.
Rationale: Asepsis refers to the state of being free from disease-
causing contaminants. It encompasses practices that maintain
sterility and prevent infection. Sterilization is the process that
achieves asepsis.
4
What is the proper method for opening a sterile peel-pack package onto a
sterile field?
A) Open by tearing the pack from any corner.
B) Open the pack by peeling apart from the designated tab, pulling the
edges away from the sterile field.
C) Open the pack over the sterile field, allowing the item to drop.
D) Ask another unsterile person to open the pack.
E) Cut the pack open with scissors.
Correct Answer: B) Open the pack by peeling apart from the
designated tab, pulling the edges away from the sterile field.
Rationale: To maintain sterility, peel-packs must be opened by
peeling from the designated tab, with the sterile item presented
(dropped) onto the sterile field from a safe distance, ensuring the
unsterile wrapper does not touch the sterile field.
5
Which suture material is absorbed by the body over time?
A) Stainless steel.
B) Silk.
C) Polypropylene (Prolene).
D) Chromic gut.
E) Nylon (Ethilon).
,Correct Answer: D) Chromic gut.
Rationale: Chromic gut is a natural absorbable suture material
treated with chromium salts to prolong its absorption time in the
body. Silk, Prolene, and Nylon are non-absorbable.
6
What is the correct procedure for a surgical technologist to follow if a sterile
item becomes contaminated during a procedure?
A) Wipe the item with an antiseptic solution.
B) Hand the item to the surgeon immediately.
C) Immediately remove the item from the sterile field and notify the
circulating nurse.
D) Cover the item with a sterile towel.
E) Attempt to re-sterilize the item in the room.
Correct Answer: C) Immediately remove the item from the sterile field
and notify the circulating nurse.
Rationale: Any item suspected of contamination must be immediately
removed from the sterile field to prevent further compromise. The
circulating nurse can then procure a replacement.
7
Which wound classification is assigned to an elective incision made under
ideal conditions, with no breaks in aseptic technique, and no inflammation
encountered?
A) Class I (Clean).
B) Class II (Clean-Contaminated).
C) Class III (Contaminated).
D) Class IV (Dirty/Infected).
E) Class V (Grossly Contaminated).
Correct Answer: A) Class I (Clean).
Rationale: A Class I (Clean) wound is an uninfected operative wound
, in which no inflammation is encountered, and the respiratory,
alimentary, genital, or uninfected urinary tracts are not entered.
8
What is the primary function of the "circulating nurse" in the operating room?
A) To maintain the sterile field.
B) To assist the surgeon directly at the sterile field.
C) To manage the overall nursing care of the patient, documentation, and
coordination outside the sterile field.
D) To prepare all medications for the sterile field.
E) To scrub in and hand instruments.
Correct Answer: C) To manage the overall nursing care of the patient,
documentation, and coordination outside the sterile field.
Rationale: The circulating nurse is an unsterile team member
responsible for patient advocacy, monitoring the surgical
environment, retrieving supplies, communicating with other
departments, and comprehensive documentation, ensuring patient
safety and effective workflow.
9
Which suture needle type has a sharp point designed to penetrate easily
through tough tissue, such as skin, fascia, or ligaments?
A) Tapered.
B) Blunt.
C) Cutting.
D) Reverse cutting.
E) Spatula.
Correct Answer: D) Reverse cutting.
Rationale: Reverse cutting needles have a triangular body with the
cutting edge on the outer curve, providing excellent penetration
through tough tissue and creating a strong wound edge without
tearing.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED | GET IT
CORRECT!!!
1
Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing surgical
site infections (SSIs)?
A) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics preoperatively to all patients.
B) Minimizing surgical time.
C) Strict adherence to aseptic technique.
D) Using electrocautery for all incisions.
E) Postoperative wound irrigation with saline.
Correct Answer: C) Strict adherence to aseptic technique.
Rationale: Aseptic technique is the cornerstone of infection
prevention in surgery. It involves meticulous practices to prevent
contamination of the surgical field by microorganisms.
2
Before a surgical procedure begins, what is the first step a surgical
technologist should take after the patient is positioned and draped?
A) Hand the surgeon the scalpel.
B) Perform the surgical time-out (pause for a cause).
C) Connect the suction tubing.
D) Open the sterile instrument sets.
E) Apply the electrocautery grounding pad.
Correct Answer: B) Perform the surgical time-out (pause for a cause).
Rationale: The surgical time-out is a critical safety step performed by
the entire surgical team immediately before skin incision. It verifies
the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure, aligning
with the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist.
3
Which term describes the absence of all pathogenic microorganisms?
A) Antiseptic.
B) Disinfection.
,C) Sterilization.
D) Asepsis.
E) Sanitization.
Correct Answer: D) Asepsis.
Rationale: Asepsis refers to the state of being free from disease-
causing contaminants. It encompasses practices that maintain
sterility and prevent infection. Sterilization is the process that
achieves asepsis.
4
What is the proper method for opening a sterile peel-pack package onto a
sterile field?
A) Open by tearing the pack from any corner.
B) Open the pack by peeling apart from the designated tab, pulling the
edges away from the sterile field.
C) Open the pack over the sterile field, allowing the item to drop.
D) Ask another unsterile person to open the pack.
E) Cut the pack open with scissors.
Correct Answer: B) Open the pack by peeling apart from the
designated tab, pulling the edges away from the sterile field.
Rationale: To maintain sterility, peel-packs must be opened by
peeling from the designated tab, with the sterile item presented
(dropped) onto the sterile field from a safe distance, ensuring the
unsterile wrapper does not touch the sterile field.
5
Which suture material is absorbed by the body over time?
A) Stainless steel.
B) Silk.
C) Polypropylene (Prolene).
D) Chromic gut.
E) Nylon (Ethilon).
,Correct Answer: D) Chromic gut.
Rationale: Chromic gut is a natural absorbable suture material
treated with chromium salts to prolong its absorption time in the
body. Silk, Prolene, and Nylon are non-absorbable.
6
What is the correct procedure for a surgical technologist to follow if a sterile
item becomes contaminated during a procedure?
A) Wipe the item with an antiseptic solution.
B) Hand the item to the surgeon immediately.
C) Immediately remove the item from the sterile field and notify the
circulating nurse.
D) Cover the item with a sterile towel.
E) Attempt to re-sterilize the item in the room.
Correct Answer: C) Immediately remove the item from the sterile field
and notify the circulating nurse.
Rationale: Any item suspected of contamination must be immediately
removed from the sterile field to prevent further compromise. The
circulating nurse can then procure a replacement.
7
Which wound classification is assigned to an elective incision made under
ideal conditions, with no breaks in aseptic technique, and no inflammation
encountered?
A) Class I (Clean).
B) Class II (Clean-Contaminated).
C) Class III (Contaminated).
D) Class IV (Dirty/Infected).
E) Class V (Grossly Contaminated).
Correct Answer: A) Class I (Clean).
Rationale: A Class I (Clean) wound is an uninfected operative wound
, in which no inflammation is encountered, and the respiratory,
alimentary, genital, or uninfected urinary tracts are not entered.
8
What is the primary function of the "circulating nurse" in the operating room?
A) To maintain the sterile field.
B) To assist the surgeon directly at the sterile field.
C) To manage the overall nursing care of the patient, documentation, and
coordination outside the sterile field.
D) To prepare all medications for the sterile field.
E) To scrub in and hand instruments.
Correct Answer: C) To manage the overall nursing care of the patient,
documentation, and coordination outside the sterile field.
Rationale: The circulating nurse is an unsterile team member
responsible for patient advocacy, monitoring the surgical
environment, retrieving supplies, communicating with other
departments, and comprehensive documentation, ensuring patient
safety and effective workflow.
9
Which suture needle type has a sharp point designed to penetrate easily
through tough tissue, such as skin, fascia, or ligaments?
A) Tapered.
B) Blunt.
C) Cutting.
D) Reverse cutting.
E) Spatula.
Correct Answer: D) Reverse cutting.
Rationale: Reverse cutting needles have a triangular body with the
cutting edge on the outer curve, providing excellent penetration
through tough tissue and creating a strong wound edge without
tearing.
