1|Page
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|
LATEST UPDATED VERSION WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS - ASSURED PASS
Question 1
Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile field during a
procedure?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist is responsible for maintaining sterility, passing instruments,
and ensuring aseptic technique.
Question 2
Which disinfectant is most effective for cleaning blood spills in the operating room?
A. 70% alcohol
B. Quaternary ammonia
C. 10% bleach solution
D. Hydrogen peroxide
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: A 1:10 bleach solution is the recommended disinfectant for bloodborne pathogens.
Question 3
Which instrument is used to grasp the appendix during an appendectomy?
A. Allis clamp
B. Babcock clamp
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C. Kocher clamp
D. Debakey forceps
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Babcock clamps grasp delicate structures like the appendix without causing damage.
Question 4
The primary function of a hemostat is to:
A. Retract tissue
B. Clamp blood vessels
C. Cut suture
D. Hold dressing
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hemostats occlude vessels and control bleeding.
Question 5
What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a thyroidectomy?
A. Supine with neck extended
B. Prone
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: Neck extension exposes the thyroid region and facilitates surgical access.
Question 6
Which surgical instrument is used for cutting bone?
A. Metzenbaum scissors
B. Rongeur
C. Mosquito clamp
D. Balfour retractor
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- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Rongeurs are bone-cutting instruments commonly used in orthopedic and
neurosurgery.
Question 7
A count discrepancy is discovered. What is the FIRST action?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately
B. Repeat the count
C. Search the operating field
D. Complete an incident report
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: The surgeon must be notified immediately for patient safety.
Question 8
Which needle is used for delicate vascular anastomosis?
A. Taper needle
B. Cutting needle
C. Reverse cutting needle
D. Spatula needle
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: Taper needles cause minimal trauma to delicate vascular tissue.
Question 9
Which prepping solution is contraindicated for patients with shellfish allergy?
A. Alcohol
B. Chlorhexidine
C. Betadine
D. DuraPrep
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: Betadine contains iodine, which may trigger reactions in iodine-sensitive patients.
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Question 10
Which item must be verified before opening sterile supplies?
A. Item cost
B. Expiration date
C. Manufacturer
D. Patient's allergies
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Expired supplies are considered unsterile and cannot be used.
Question 11
What is the purpose of a tourniquet in extremity surgery?
A. Reduce swelling
B. Provide bloodless field
C. Increase circulation
D. Immobilize limb
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Tourniquets reduce blood flow, creating a clearer surgical field.
Question 12
Which type of suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Prolene
C. Chromic gut
D. Silk
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: Chromic gut is an absorbable natural suture material.
Question 13
NBSTSA CERTIFICATION EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|
LATEST UPDATED VERSION WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS - ASSURED PASS
Question 1
Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile field during a
procedure?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: The surgical technologist is responsible for maintaining sterility, passing instruments,
and ensuring aseptic technique.
Question 2
Which disinfectant is most effective for cleaning blood spills in the operating room?
A. 70% alcohol
B. Quaternary ammonia
C. 10% bleach solution
D. Hydrogen peroxide
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: A 1:10 bleach solution is the recommended disinfectant for bloodborne pathogens.
Question 3
Which instrument is used to grasp the appendix during an appendectomy?
A. Allis clamp
B. Babcock clamp
,2|Page
C. Kocher clamp
D. Debakey forceps
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Babcock clamps grasp delicate structures like the appendix without causing damage.
Question 4
The primary function of a hemostat is to:
A. Retract tissue
B. Clamp blood vessels
C. Cut suture
D. Hold dressing
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hemostats occlude vessels and control bleeding.
Question 5
What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a thyroidectomy?
A. Supine with neck extended
B. Prone
C. Lithotomy
D. Lateral
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: Neck extension exposes the thyroid region and facilitates surgical access.
Question 6
Which surgical instrument is used for cutting bone?
A. Metzenbaum scissors
B. Rongeur
C. Mosquito clamp
D. Balfour retractor
,3|Page
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Rongeurs are bone-cutting instruments commonly used in orthopedic and
neurosurgery.
Question 7
A count discrepancy is discovered. What is the FIRST action?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately
B. Repeat the count
C. Search the operating field
D. Complete an incident report
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: The surgeon must be notified immediately for patient safety.
Question 8
Which needle is used for delicate vascular anastomosis?
A. Taper needle
B. Cutting needle
C. Reverse cutting needle
D. Spatula needle
- ANSWER: A
Rationale: Taper needles cause minimal trauma to delicate vascular tissue.
Question 9
Which prepping solution is contraindicated for patients with shellfish allergy?
A. Alcohol
B. Chlorhexidine
C. Betadine
D. DuraPrep
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: Betadine contains iodine, which may trigger reactions in iodine-sensitive patients.
, 4|Page
Question 10
Which item must be verified before opening sterile supplies?
A. Item cost
B. Expiration date
C. Manufacturer
D. Patient's allergies
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Expired supplies are considered unsterile and cannot be used.
Question 11
What is the purpose of a tourniquet in extremity surgery?
A. Reduce swelling
B. Provide bloodless field
C. Increase circulation
D. Immobilize limb
- ANSWER: B
Rationale: Tourniquets reduce blood flow, creating a clearer surgical field.
Question 12
Which type of suture is absorbable?
A. Nylon
B. Prolene
C. Chromic gut
D. Silk
- ANSWER: C
Rationale: Chromic gut is an absorbable natural suture material.
Question 13
