NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
SELF-ASSESSMENT A AND B EXAM SCRIPT
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
2026
◉ What is the consequence of not having a watertight seal in
surgical anastomoses? Answer: It can lead to peritonitis.
◉ What happens if dentures are wrapped in a paper towel after
removal? Answer: They could get lost or thrown away without a
label.
◉ What is the risk associated with smoke plume during laser
surgery? Answer: It may transmit disease due to the presence of
bacteria and viruses.
◉ What should be done with dentures to ensure they are returned
to the correct patient? Answer: They should be placed in a labeled
cup and kept with the patient's chart.
◉ What is the role of the circulator during surgery regarding patient
items? Answer: The circulator should not leave the OR to return
items to the patient's room during surgery.
,◉ What is the maximum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 25 per hour.
◉ What is the minimum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 15 per hour.
◉ What does the pathology department do with specimens from
surgery? Answer: Receives all tissue samples and other specimens.
◉ What is the purpose of a smoke evacuator? Answer: To remove
smoke at a rate of 100 to 150 feet per minute at the site of
generation.
◉ What is the risk of using suction tips for smoke removal? Answer:
They are not effective against possible transmissible diseases.
◉ What should be done if there is uncertainty about handling a
specimen? Answer: Consult the pathology department.
◉ What is the purpose of an endo-catch bag? Answer: It is used for
minimal invasive abdominal cases.
,◉ Which incision is BEST for sigmoid surgery? Answer: Vertical
paramedian incision.
◉ What is the use of vertical midline incisions? Answer: They can be
used for abdominal procedures for trauma.
◉ What type of incision is excellent for sigmoid surgery? Answer:
Lower left paramedian incisions.
◉ What ions do the kidneys help regulate? Answer: Sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
◉ What is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling
bleeding from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? Answer: A
pledget.
◉ What does a pledget do in surgical procedures? Answer: It is a
small square of Teflon sutured over a hole in a vessel to exert
external pressure and promote clotting.
◉ What does a yellow tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer: The
patient is physiologically stable and transport can be delayed.
, ◉ What does a black tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer: The
injuries are extensive and the patient is not expected to survive.
◉ What does a red tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer:
Immediate intervention is needed within the golden hour for the
patient to survive.
◉ What does a green tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer:
Minor injuries.
◉ What follows the removal of the bone flap during a craniotomy?
Answer: Incision of the dura mater.
◉ What is the role of ligatures in surgical procedures? Answer: They
are used to tie off blood vessels, but are not the most effective for
controlling bleeding from needle holes.
◉ What is the purpose of suction during surgical procedures?
Answer: To remove blood from the surgical site, but it does not stop
the bleeding.
◉ What is the function of clamps in surgical procedures? Answer: To
compress the walls of vessels and grasp tissue, but not specifically
for controlling bleeding from needle holes.
SELF-ASSESSMENT A AND B EXAM SCRIPT
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
2026
◉ What is the consequence of not having a watertight seal in
surgical anastomoses? Answer: It can lead to peritonitis.
◉ What happens if dentures are wrapped in a paper towel after
removal? Answer: They could get lost or thrown away without a
label.
◉ What is the risk associated with smoke plume during laser
surgery? Answer: It may transmit disease due to the presence of
bacteria and viruses.
◉ What should be done with dentures to ensure they are returned
to the correct patient? Answer: They should be placed in a labeled
cup and kept with the patient's chart.
◉ What is the role of the circulator during surgery regarding patient
items? Answer: The circulator should not leave the OR to return
items to the patient's room during surgery.
,◉ What is the maximum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 25 per hour.
◉ What is the minimum air exchange rate in a standard OR suite?
Answer: 15 per hour.
◉ What does the pathology department do with specimens from
surgery? Answer: Receives all tissue samples and other specimens.
◉ What is the purpose of a smoke evacuator? Answer: To remove
smoke at a rate of 100 to 150 feet per minute at the site of
generation.
◉ What is the risk of using suction tips for smoke removal? Answer:
They are not effective against possible transmissible diseases.
◉ What should be done if there is uncertainty about handling a
specimen? Answer: Consult the pathology department.
◉ What is the purpose of an endo-catch bag? Answer: It is used for
minimal invasive abdominal cases.
,◉ Which incision is BEST for sigmoid surgery? Answer: Vertical
paramedian incision.
◉ What is the use of vertical midline incisions? Answer: They can be
used for abdominal procedures for trauma.
◉ What type of incision is excellent for sigmoid surgery? Answer:
Lower left paramedian incisions.
◉ What ions do the kidneys help regulate? Answer: Sodium,
potassium, and calcium.
◉ What is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling
bleeding from needle holes in vessel anastomoses? Answer: A
pledget.
◉ What does a pledget do in surgical procedures? Answer: It is a
small square of Teflon sutured over a hole in a vessel to exert
external pressure and promote clotting.
◉ What does a yellow tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer: The
patient is physiologically stable and transport can be delayed.
, ◉ What does a black tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer: The
injuries are extensive and the patient is not expected to survive.
◉ What does a red tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer:
Immediate intervention is needed within the golden hour for the
patient to survive.
◉ What does a green tag indicate in a triage situation? Answer:
Minor injuries.
◉ What follows the removal of the bone flap during a craniotomy?
Answer: Incision of the dura mater.
◉ What is the role of ligatures in surgical procedures? Answer: They
are used to tie off blood vessels, but are not the most effective for
controlling bleeding from needle holes.
◉ What is the purpose of suction during surgical procedures?
Answer: To remove blood from the surgical site, but it does not stop
the bleeding.
◉ What is the function of clamps in surgical procedures? Answer: To
compress the walls of vessels and grasp tissue, but not specifically
for controlling bleeding from needle holes.
