Surgical Technology Certification Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the
preference card be opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The
surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the unit
clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for adding
hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture are case
dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the procedure
and should be added to the preference card - Correct answer-Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team when
working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
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,a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively with
latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact lenses and
cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl
methacrylate and latex have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can negatively
interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. - Correct answer-Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum sterilizer
before using it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - Correct answer-Answer: C
What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped
instruments?
a. 1 minute
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,b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - Correct answer-Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - Correct answer-Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of a
steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - Correct answer-Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
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, The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - Correct answer-Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a minimum
exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - Correct answer-Answer: B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following tests
should be given to inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to ensure that
it can be properly sterilized?
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2026 Questions and Answers
The surgeon asks that multiple suture and hernia mesh that were not on the
preference card be opened during the repair of a large umbilical hernia. The
surgical technologist should recognize that:
a. items on the preference card are only to be changed by the surgeon or the unit
clerk
b. sterile supply associates who stock the hernia mesh are responsible for adding
hernia mesh to the preference card
c. preference card changes are unnecessary; both hernia mesh and suture are case
dependent.
d. suture may be case dependent, but the hernia mesh is integral to the procedure
and should be added to the preference card - Correct answer-Answer: D
Which of the following precautions should be taken by the surgical team when
working with polymethyl methacrylate as a bone cement?
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,a. wear latex free gloves, as polymethyl methacrylate interacts negatively with
latex
b. remove contact lenses as polymethyl methacrylate can melt contact lenses and
cause corneal burns
c. make sure the patient does not have a latex allergy because polymethyl
methacrylate and latex have the same chemical properties
d. Limit the # of sponges on the field as polymethyl methacrylate can negatively
interact with the cotton fibers in the sponges. - Correct answer-Answer: B
Which of the following daily tests must be performed on the pre-vacuum sterilizer
before using it?
a. Gravity
b. Biological indicator
c. Bowie-Dick
d. Chemical indicator - Correct answer-Answer: C
What is the minimum exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped
instruments?
a. 1 minute
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,b. 3 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 7 minutes - Correct answer-Answer: B
[pre-vac] no lumen - 3 minutes ; lumen - 4 minutes
Which of the following is the correct temperature for the flash sterilizer operation?
a. 132*C (270*F)
b. 126*C (260*F)
c. 135*C (275*F)
d. 129*C (265*F) - Correct answer-Answer: A
Which of the following is the proper temperature and time that the chamber of a
steam sterilizer must reach in order to ensure that all spores have been eliminated?
a. 270*F for 4 minutes
b. 350*F for 4 minutes
c. 240*F for 10 minutes
d. 350*F for 10 mintues - Correct answer-Answer: A
[pre-vac] temp: 270*F ; time: 3-4 minutes ; pressure: 27 psi
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, The Sterrad sterilization system most commonly uses which of the following
chemical solutions?
a. hydrogen peroxide
b. gluteraldehyde
c. alcohol
d. peracetic acid - Correct answer-Answer: A
[Sterrad] make sure its plugged in - needs electricity
Which of the following is used to achieve high level disinfection with a minimum
exposure time of 20-45 minutes?
a. chlorine bleach compounds
b. gluteraldehyde
c. hydrogen peroxide
d. iodine and iodophors - Correct answer-Answer: B
During decontamination of a flexible endoscope, which of the following tests
should be given to inspect the proper function of the endoscope and to ensure that
it can be properly sterilized?
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
