AST Surgical Technologist CST
Practice Exam Rated A+
1. What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy? a. Skin
hook b. Penrose drain c. Vessel loops d. Umbilical tapes - ANSWER-Penrose drain
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus - ANSWER-A. Raney
10. Which of the following is the least restrictive form of credentialing? a. Certification b.
Licensure c. Registration d. Accreditation - ANSWER-Registration
100. Which type of monitoring equipment is a noninvasive assessment of oxygen
saturation of arterial blood? a. Electrocardiogram b. Bispectral index c. Pulse oximetry
d. Capnography - ANSWER-Pulse oximetry
101. How are femoral shaft fractures in an adult repaired? a. Herniaarthroplasty b.
Kirschner wires c. Closed reduction d. Intramedullary nailing - ANSWER-Intramedullary
nailing
102. Which of the following instruments would be used to dilate the male urethra? a.
Pratt b. Bakes c. Van buren d. Hegar - ANSWER-Van buren
103. To determine the process for preparing surgical instruments for us on tissue and
within a body cavity they are classified as: a. Critical b. Semicritical c. Controlled d.
Noncritical - ANSWER-Critical
104. The harrington retractor allows for gentle elevation of which anatomical structure?
a. Stomach b. Heart c. Liver d. Bladder - ANSWER-Liver
105. What is the term for the division of a reproductive cell into two cells with
chromosome cells? a. Binary fission b. Mitosis c. Meiosis d. Spontaneous generation -
ANSWER-Meiosis
106. What does the term dys- mean? a. Proximal b. Distal c. Difficult d. Easy -
ANSWER-Difficult
107. Ater the patient is extubated which device is often used to maintain the airway
around the relaxed tongue? a. Laryngoscope b. Oopharyngeal airway c. Stylet d.
Laryngeal mask airway - ANSWER-Oopharyngeal airway
,108. Which of the following accelerates the coagulation cascade? a. Papaverine b.
Epinephrine c. Topical thrombin d. IV Heparin - ANSWER-Topical thrombin
109. Which breast procedures describes a mastectomy? a. Reduction b. Surgical
removal c. Incisional biopsyd. Augmentation - ANSWER-Surgical removal
11. What drug classification is Demerol? a. Dilator b. Analgesic c. Sedative d.
Vasoconstrictor - ANSWER-Analgesic
110. What is done to the common bile duct during a choledochojejunostomy? a.
Excised b. Visualized c. Anastomosed d. Bypassed - ANSWER-Anastomosed
111. In which of the following procedures would a tourniquet be unnecessary? a. Hip
arthroplasty b. Knee arthroplasty c. Ankle fracture d. ORIF radius - ANSWER-Hip
arthroplasty
112. Which of the following anatomical sites would be prepped last when performing a
skin prep for a colostomy reversal procedure? a. Suprapubic area b. Stoma c. Umbilicus
d. Lateral borders - ANSWER-Stoma
113. What surgical procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the median nerve? a.
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release b. Ulnar nerve transposition c. Metacarpophalangeal
join repalcement d. External fixation of radius - ANSWER-Endoscopic carpal tunnel
release
114. What is the proper procedure for turning the sterile gown? a. Circulator removes
tag from gown: surgical technologist turns b. Hand tag to circulator; surgical technologist
and circulator turn c. Hand tag to circulator; circulator moves around the gown d.
Surgical technologist holds tag and turns self - ANSWER-Hand tag to circulator;
circulator moves around the gown
115. What does the term "os" mean? a. Bone b. Opening c. Occlusion d. Right -
ANSWER-Opening
116. Which of the following is not a function of the trachea? a. Carry air to and from the
lungs b. Amplify speech c. Filter secretions and particulates d. Humidify inspired air -
ANSWER-Amplify speech
117. Which condition is characterized by the sudden onset of floating spots before the
eyes? a. Scleral tumor b. Retinal detachment c. Vitreous hemorrhage d. Epiretinal
membrane - ANSWER-Retinal detachment
118. One of the most effective germicidals for cold sterilzation is: a. 2% glutaraldehyde
b. Alcohol c. Hexachlorophene d. Betadine - ANSWER-2% glutaraldehyde
,119. From which laminectomy instrument would invertebral disc fragments be cleaned?
a. Penfield b. Lagenbeck c. Pituitary d. Taylor - ANSWER-Pituitary
12. What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy? a. Tracheotomy tray b. Clean stent dressing c. Extra penrose drain d.
Antiembolic stockings - ANSWER-Tracheotomy tray
120. What type of suture is used for vascular reanastomosis? a. Absorbable
multifilament b. Nonabsorbable monofilament c. Nonabsorbable multifilament d.
Absorbable monofilament - ANSWER-Nonabsorbable monofilament
122. What molecule is broken down when the body cells require energy? a. ATP b.
RNA c. DNA d. ADP - ANSWER-ATP
123. Which of the following represents a saddle joint? a. Radius and carpals b. Thumb
and trapezium c. Femur and hip d. Ulna and radius - ANSWER-Thumb and trapezium
124. During an EtO sterilization cycle humidity is maintained at: a. 50-90% b. 80-100%
c. 20-80% d. 10-25% - ANSWER-20-80%
125. An emergency drug given to stabilize ventricular fibrillation is: a. Anectine b.
Isoproterenol c. Vasopressin d. Nitroglycerine - ANSWER-Isoproterenol
126. Creating a positive-pressure air supply for each OR will: a. Prevent fires during
laser surgery b. Maintain a stable relative humidity c. Minimize airborne bacteria
entering room d. Reduce external noise and conversations - ANSWER-Minimize
airborne bacteria entering room
127. Which is an acceptable antiseptic solution for a skin prep? a. Povidon-iodine b.
Lugol's solution c. Hydrogen peroxide d. Activated glutaraldehyde - ANSWER-Povidon-
iodine
128. During a total hip arthroplasty which instrument is used after intramedullary
reaming to reshape the proximal femoral canal? a. Rongeur b. Curette c. Brush d. Rasp
- ANSWER-Rasp
129. Which of the following assesses the electrical activity of the nervous system? a.
Spirometry b. Electroencephalogram c. Peripheral nerve stimulator d.
Electrocardiogram - ANSWER-Electroencephalogram
13. What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride? a. Fe b. Hg c. NaCl d. H20 -
ANSWER-NaCl
130. The functional unit of the kidney responsibel for removing waste and regulating
fluid is the: a. Cortex b. Renal pelvis c. Medullla d. Nephron - ANSWER-Nephron
, 131. Which of the following is an intermediate-level disinfectant? a. Isopropyl alcohol b.
Glutaraldehyde c. Paracetic acid d. Hydrogen peroxide - ANSWER-Isopropyl alcohol
132. Which vein of an infant patient is a central venous catheter inserted? a. Internal
jugular b. Saphenous c. subclavian d. External jugular - ANSWER-External jugular
133. After the patient leaves the OR the reusable items should be taken to the
decontamination room: a. By covering instrument tray with bag and carry b. Carried in a
basin soaking in enzymatic solution c. On the shelf of the sterilization cartd. Inside a
closed case cart - ANSWER-Inside a closed case cart
134. A clamp used for occluding a peripheral vessel is: a. Duval b. Allen c. Kocher d.
Debakey - ANSWER-Debakey
135. During a total hip arthroplasty which type of device prevents polymethyl
methacrylate from filling the medullary canal distal to the prosthesis? a. Stem b.
Restrictor c. Brush d. Wick - ANSWER-Restrictor
136. Which of the following is proper technique when applying a grounding pad? a.
Avoid placing pad on buttocks b. Apply pad before patient is positioned c. Apply gel to
pad d. Reuse pad that is repositioned - ANSWER-Avoid placing pad on buttocks
137. Which of the following sutures are packaged in alcohol to maintain pliability? a.
Synthetic absorbable b. Natural absorbable c. Synthetic non-absorbabled. Natural non-
abosrbable - ANSWER-Natural absorbable
138. What procedure should be followed for securing consent for surgery for an
unconscious patient requiring emergency surgery whose family members or guardian
cannot be contacted? a. Chief of surgery waives consent b. Surgeon and risk manager
sign consent c. Two consulting physicians agree d. Obtain telephone court order -
ANSWER-Two consulting physicians agree
139. What gynecologic procedure includes removal of the reproductive organs bladder
and rectum? a. Posterior colporrhaphy b. Total hysterectomy c. Abdominoperineal
resection d. Pelvic exenteration - ANSWER-Pelvic exenteration
14. Which organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins? a. Golgi complex b.
Mitochondria c. Nucleus d. Robosome - ANSWER-Golgi complex
140. Isopropyl alcohol is bactericidal which means it: a. Inhibits the growth of bacteria b.
Sterilizes surfaces c. Destroys spores d. Kill bacteria - ANSWER-Kill bacteria
141. Use of a one-step applicator with little or no pressure on skin would be indicated in
which of the following conditions? a. Plueral effusion b. Herniated lumbar disc c.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm d. Cholecystitis with cholelithiasis - ANSWER-Abdominal
aortic aneurysm
Practice Exam Rated A+
1. What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy? a. Skin
hook b. Penrose drain c. Vessel loops d. Umbilical tapes - ANSWER-Penrose drain
1. Which of the following clips is used for scalp hemostasis in cranial procedures?
A. Raney
b.Filshie
c. Hemoclip
d. Backhaus - ANSWER-A. Raney
10. Which of the following is the least restrictive form of credentialing? a. Certification b.
Licensure c. Registration d. Accreditation - ANSWER-Registration
100. Which type of monitoring equipment is a noninvasive assessment of oxygen
saturation of arterial blood? a. Electrocardiogram b. Bispectral index c. Pulse oximetry
d. Capnography - ANSWER-Pulse oximetry
101. How are femoral shaft fractures in an adult repaired? a. Herniaarthroplasty b.
Kirschner wires c. Closed reduction d. Intramedullary nailing - ANSWER-Intramedullary
nailing
102. Which of the following instruments would be used to dilate the male urethra? a.
Pratt b. Bakes c. Van buren d. Hegar - ANSWER-Van buren
103. To determine the process for preparing surgical instruments for us on tissue and
within a body cavity they are classified as: a. Critical b. Semicritical c. Controlled d.
Noncritical - ANSWER-Critical
104. The harrington retractor allows for gentle elevation of which anatomical structure?
a. Stomach b. Heart c. Liver d. Bladder - ANSWER-Liver
105. What is the term for the division of a reproductive cell into two cells with
chromosome cells? a. Binary fission b. Mitosis c. Meiosis d. Spontaneous generation -
ANSWER-Meiosis
106. What does the term dys- mean? a. Proximal b. Distal c. Difficult d. Easy -
ANSWER-Difficult
107. Ater the patient is extubated which device is often used to maintain the airway
around the relaxed tongue? a. Laryngoscope b. Oopharyngeal airway c. Stylet d.
Laryngeal mask airway - ANSWER-Oopharyngeal airway
,108. Which of the following accelerates the coagulation cascade? a. Papaverine b.
Epinephrine c. Topical thrombin d. IV Heparin - ANSWER-Topical thrombin
109. Which breast procedures describes a mastectomy? a. Reduction b. Surgical
removal c. Incisional biopsyd. Augmentation - ANSWER-Surgical removal
11. What drug classification is Demerol? a. Dilator b. Analgesic c. Sedative d.
Vasoconstrictor - ANSWER-Analgesic
110. What is done to the common bile duct during a choledochojejunostomy? a.
Excised b. Visualized c. Anastomosed d. Bypassed - ANSWER-Anastomosed
111. In which of the following procedures would a tourniquet be unnecessary? a. Hip
arthroplasty b. Knee arthroplasty c. Ankle fracture d. ORIF radius - ANSWER-Hip
arthroplasty
112. Which of the following anatomical sites would be prepped last when performing a
skin prep for a colostomy reversal procedure? a. Suprapubic area b. Stoma c. Umbilicus
d. Lateral borders - ANSWER-Stoma
113. What surgical procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the median nerve? a.
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release b. Ulnar nerve transposition c. Metacarpophalangeal
join repalcement d. External fixation of radius - ANSWER-Endoscopic carpal tunnel
release
114. What is the proper procedure for turning the sterile gown? a. Circulator removes
tag from gown: surgical technologist turns b. Hand tag to circulator; surgical technologist
and circulator turn c. Hand tag to circulator; circulator moves around the gown d.
Surgical technologist holds tag and turns self - ANSWER-Hand tag to circulator;
circulator moves around the gown
115. What does the term "os" mean? a. Bone b. Opening c. Occlusion d. Right -
ANSWER-Opening
116. Which of the following is not a function of the trachea? a. Carry air to and from the
lungs b. Amplify speech c. Filter secretions and particulates d. Humidify inspired air -
ANSWER-Amplify speech
117. Which condition is characterized by the sudden onset of floating spots before the
eyes? a. Scleral tumor b. Retinal detachment c. Vitreous hemorrhage d. Epiretinal
membrane - ANSWER-Retinal detachment
118. One of the most effective germicidals for cold sterilzation is: a. 2% glutaraldehyde
b. Alcohol c. Hexachlorophene d. Betadine - ANSWER-2% glutaraldehyde
,119. From which laminectomy instrument would invertebral disc fragments be cleaned?
a. Penfield b. Lagenbeck c. Pituitary d. Taylor - ANSWER-Pituitary
12. What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a
thyroidectomy? a. Tracheotomy tray b. Clean stent dressing c. Extra penrose drain d.
Antiembolic stockings - ANSWER-Tracheotomy tray
120. What type of suture is used for vascular reanastomosis? a. Absorbable
multifilament b. Nonabsorbable monofilament c. Nonabsorbable multifilament d.
Absorbable monofilament - ANSWER-Nonabsorbable monofilament
122. What molecule is broken down when the body cells require energy? a. ATP b.
RNA c. DNA d. ADP - ANSWER-ATP
123. Which of the following represents a saddle joint? a. Radius and carpals b. Thumb
and trapezium c. Femur and hip d. Ulna and radius - ANSWER-Thumb and trapezium
124. During an EtO sterilization cycle humidity is maintained at: a. 50-90% b. 80-100%
c. 20-80% d. 10-25% - ANSWER-20-80%
125. An emergency drug given to stabilize ventricular fibrillation is: a. Anectine b.
Isoproterenol c. Vasopressin d. Nitroglycerine - ANSWER-Isoproterenol
126. Creating a positive-pressure air supply for each OR will: a. Prevent fires during
laser surgery b. Maintain a stable relative humidity c. Minimize airborne bacteria
entering room d. Reduce external noise and conversations - ANSWER-Minimize
airborne bacteria entering room
127. Which is an acceptable antiseptic solution for a skin prep? a. Povidon-iodine b.
Lugol's solution c. Hydrogen peroxide d. Activated glutaraldehyde - ANSWER-Povidon-
iodine
128. During a total hip arthroplasty which instrument is used after intramedullary
reaming to reshape the proximal femoral canal? a. Rongeur b. Curette c. Brush d. Rasp
- ANSWER-Rasp
129. Which of the following assesses the electrical activity of the nervous system? a.
Spirometry b. Electroencephalogram c. Peripheral nerve stimulator d.
Electrocardiogram - ANSWER-Electroencephalogram
13. What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride? a. Fe b. Hg c. NaCl d. H20 -
ANSWER-NaCl
130. The functional unit of the kidney responsibel for removing waste and regulating
fluid is the: a. Cortex b. Renal pelvis c. Medullla d. Nephron - ANSWER-Nephron
, 131. Which of the following is an intermediate-level disinfectant? a. Isopropyl alcohol b.
Glutaraldehyde c. Paracetic acid d. Hydrogen peroxide - ANSWER-Isopropyl alcohol
132. Which vein of an infant patient is a central venous catheter inserted? a. Internal
jugular b. Saphenous c. subclavian d. External jugular - ANSWER-External jugular
133. After the patient leaves the OR the reusable items should be taken to the
decontamination room: a. By covering instrument tray with bag and carry b. Carried in a
basin soaking in enzymatic solution c. On the shelf of the sterilization cartd. Inside a
closed case cart - ANSWER-Inside a closed case cart
134. A clamp used for occluding a peripheral vessel is: a. Duval b. Allen c. Kocher d.
Debakey - ANSWER-Debakey
135. During a total hip arthroplasty which type of device prevents polymethyl
methacrylate from filling the medullary canal distal to the prosthesis? a. Stem b.
Restrictor c. Brush d. Wick - ANSWER-Restrictor
136. Which of the following is proper technique when applying a grounding pad? a.
Avoid placing pad on buttocks b. Apply pad before patient is positioned c. Apply gel to
pad d. Reuse pad that is repositioned - ANSWER-Avoid placing pad on buttocks
137. Which of the following sutures are packaged in alcohol to maintain pliability? a.
Synthetic absorbable b. Natural absorbable c. Synthetic non-absorbabled. Natural non-
abosrbable - ANSWER-Natural absorbable
138. What procedure should be followed for securing consent for surgery for an
unconscious patient requiring emergency surgery whose family members or guardian
cannot be contacted? a. Chief of surgery waives consent b. Surgeon and risk manager
sign consent c. Two consulting physicians agree d. Obtain telephone court order -
ANSWER-Two consulting physicians agree
139. What gynecologic procedure includes removal of the reproductive organs bladder
and rectum? a. Posterior colporrhaphy b. Total hysterectomy c. Abdominoperineal
resection d. Pelvic exenteration - ANSWER-Pelvic exenteration
14. Which organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins? a. Golgi complex b.
Mitochondria c. Nucleus d. Robosome - ANSWER-Golgi complex
140. Isopropyl alcohol is bactericidal which means it: a. Inhibits the growth of bacteria b.
Sterilizes surfaces c. Destroys spores d. Kill bacteria - ANSWER-Kill bacteria
141. Use of a one-step applicator with little or no pressure on skin would be indicated in
which of the following conditions? a. Plueral effusion b. Herniated lumbar disc c.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm d. Cholecystitis with cholelithiasis - ANSWER-Abdominal
aortic aneurysm
