Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
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1. What is the primary purpose of surgical hand antisepsis?
A) To moisturize the hands
B) To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
C) To clean visible dirt only
D) To remove nail polish
Answer: B) To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis significantly reduces microbial counts and
helps prevent infections during surgery.
2. The most effective method to maintain a sterile field is:
A) Frequent handwashing
B) Covering the patient with a sterile drape
C) Minimizing movement and talking near the sterile field
D) Wearing clean scrubs
Answer: C) Minimizing movement and talking near the sterile field
Rationale: Movement and talking can increase air contamination, which risks
compromising the sterile field.
3. The CST’s role during a procedure includes:
A) Administering anesthesia
B) Performing surgical incisions
C) Passing instruments to the surgeon
D) Making the surgical diagnosis
Answer: C) Passing instruments to the surgeon
Rationale: CSTs assist surgeons by anticipating and passing instruments and
supplies during surgery.
4. Which of the following instruments is used for cutting tissue?
,A) Hemostat
B) Scalpel
C) Retractor
D) Needle holder
Answer: B) Scalpel
Rationale: A scalpel is a sharp instrument designed specifically for cutting
tissue.
5. What is the minimum amount of time for a surgical scrub according to
AORN guidelines?
A) 30 seconds
B) 1 minute
C) 2–6 minutes
D) 10 minutes
Answer: C) 2–6 minutes
Rationale: Proper surgical scrubbing removes transient and reduces resident
bacteria to lower infection risk.
6. Which suture type is absorbable?
A) Nylon
B) Silk
C) Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
D) Stainless steel
Answer: C) Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
Rationale: Absorbable sutures like Dexon are broken down by the body and do
not require removal.
7. The term “asepsis” refers to:
A) Absence of disease
B) Absence of microorganisms that cause infection
C) Sterilization of surgical instruments
D) Cleaning with soap and water
Answer: B) Absence of microorganisms that cause infection
Rationale: Asepsis aims to prevent microbial contamination during medical
procedures.
8. Which of the following is classified as a cutting instrument?
, A) Mayo scissors
B) Forceps
C) Retractor
D) Sponge
Answer: A) Mayo scissors
Rationale: Mayo scissors are used to cut thick tissues such as fascia and
muscles.
9. What is the primary function of a hemostat?
A) Cut tissue
B) Clamp blood vessels
C) Retract tissue
D) Hold sutures
Answer: B) Clamp blood vessels
Rationale: Hemostats control bleeding by clamping vessels during surgery.
10. Which type of sterilization method uses pressurized steam?
A) Ethylene oxide gas
B) Autoclave
C) Dry heat
D) Chemical immersion
Answer: B) Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaving uses pressurized steam to achieve sterilization
efficiently.
11. A surgical site infection (SSI) typically develops:
A) Immediately after surgery
B) 30–90 days postoperatively
C) Only during surgery
D) Within the first hour post-op
Answer: B) 30–90 days postoperatively
Rationale: SSIs often manifest days to weeks after surgery, depending on depth
and type of surgery.
12. Which of the following is a non-absorbable suture?
Exam with Complete Questions And
Correct Answers|Already Graded
A+|Brand New Version.
1. What is the primary purpose of surgical hand antisepsis?
A) To moisturize the hands
B) To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
C) To clean visible dirt only
D) To remove nail polish
Answer: B) To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis significantly reduces microbial counts and
helps prevent infections during surgery.
2. The most effective method to maintain a sterile field is:
A) Frequent handwashing
B) Covering the patient with a sterile drape
C) Minimizing movement and talking near the sterile field
D) Wearing clean scrubs
Answer: C) Minimizing movement and talking near the sterile field
Rationale: Movement and talking can increase air contamination, which risks
compromising the sterile field.
3. The CST’s role during a procedure includes:
A) Administering anesthesia
B) Performing surgical incisions
C) Passing instruments to the surgeon
D) Making the surgical diagnosis
Answer: C) Passing instruments to the surgeon
Rationale: CSTs assist surgeons by anticipating and passing instruments and
supplies during surgery.
4. Which of the following instruments is used for cutting tissue?
,A) Hemostat
B) Scalpel
C) Retractor
D) Needle holder
Answer: B) Scalpel
Rationale: A scalpel is a sharp instrument designed specifically for cutting
tissue.
5. What is the minimum amount of time for a surgical scrub according to
AORN guidelines?
A) 30 seconds
B) 1 minute
C) 2–6 minutes
D) 10 minutes
Answer: C) 2–6 minutes
Rationale: Proper surgical scrubbing removes transient and reduces resident
bacteria to lower infection risk.
6. Which suture type is absorbable?
A) Nylon
B) Silk
C) Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
D) Stainless steel
Answer: C) Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
Rationale: Absorbable sutures like Dexon are broken down by the body and do
not require removal.
7. The term “asepsis” refers to:
A) Absence of disease
B) Absence of microorganisms that cause infection
C) Sterilization of surgical instruments
D) Cleaning with soap and water
Answer: B) Absence of microorganisms that cause infection
Rationale: Asepsis aims to prevent microbial contamination during medical
procedures.
8. Which of the following is classified as a cutting instrument?
, A) Mayo scissors
B) Forceps
C) Retractor
D) Sponge
Answer: A) Mayo scissors
Rationale: Mayo scissors are used to cut thick tissues such as fascia and
muscles.
9. What is the primary function of a hemostat?
A) Cut tissue
B) Clamp blood vessels
C) Retract tissue
D) Hold sutures
Answer: B) Clamp blood vessels
Rationale: Hemostats control bleeding by clamping vessels during surgery.
10. Which type of sterilization method uses pressurized steam?
A) Ethylene oxide gas
B) Autoclave
C) Dry heat
D) Chemical immersion
Answer: B) Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaving uses pressurized steam to achieve sterilization
efficiently.
11. A surgical site infection (SSI) typically develops:
A) Immediately after surgery
B) 30–90 days postoperatively
C) Only during surgery
D) Within the first hour post-op
Answer: B) 30–90 days postoperatively
Rationale: SSIs often manifest days to weeks after surgery, depending on depth
and type of surgery.
12. Which of the following is a non-absorbable suture?
