1|PAGE
NBSTSA CST PRACTICE EXAM B ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|
LATEST UPDATED 2026
a surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for the dressing following a
(TAH). the patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site. the surgeon has
left the room. which of the following actions should the surgical tech take?
a. place a pressure dressing
b. cover with Dermabond
c. steri-strip the incision
d. have the surgeon return - ANSWER: d. have the surgeon return
which of the following is a sign of cardiac arrest?
a. edema
b. convulsion
c. cyanosis
d. hypertension - ANSWER: c. cyanosis
the number of staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by.
a. wearing a surgical cap.
b. wearing hospital scrubs.
c. keeping the or doors closed.
,2|Page
d. a thorough surgical hand scrub. - ANSWER: d. a thorough surgical hand scrub.
list in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an iv
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
a. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
b. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
c. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
d. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5 - ANSWER: c. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order from
first to last:
i. proliferation
ii. remodeling
iii. inflammatory
a. i, ii, iii
b. ii, i, iii
c. iii, i, ii
d. iii, ii, i - ANSWER: c. iii, i, ii
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a surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the
surgeon's preference card. the surgeon states he would like additional sutures and
his preference card is outdated. which of the following is the surgical technologist's
best course of action?
a. open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just
in case the surgeon needs them.
b. return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the case.
c. ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and proceed
accordingly.
d. update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been
requested for this case. - ANSWER: c. ask the surgeon if he would like to have his
preference card updated and proceed accordingly.
while being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. the surgical technologist should.
a. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments.
b. explain the action of the anesthetic agent.
c. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe.
d. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns. - ANSWER: d.
have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns.
, 4|Page
when preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of
sterilization were met?
a. external tape
b. biological indicator
c. dynamic air removal
d. internal strip - ANSWER: b. biological indicator
which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a caldwell-luc
procedure?
a. cushing
b. bethune
c. kerrison
d. stille-luer - ANSWER: c. kerrison
the surgical technologist in the scrub role should remain sterile following which of
the following surgical procedures?
a. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
b. carotid endarterectomy
c. total hip arthroplasty
d. tympanoplasty - ANSWER: b. carotid endarterectomy
NBSTSA CST PRACTICE EXAM B ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|
LATEST UPDATED 2026
a surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for the dressing following a
(TAH). the patient has developed a hematoma at the incision site. the surgeon has
left the room. which of the following actions should the surgical tech take?
a. place a pressure dressing
b. cover with Dermabond
c. steri-strip the incision
d. have the surgeon return - ANSWER: d. have the surgeon return
which of the following is a sign of cardiac arrest?
a. edema
b. convulsion
c. cyanosis
d. hypertension - ANSWER: c. cyanosis
the number of staphylococcus aureus micro-organisms carried by the surgical
technologist can be drastically reduced by.
a. wearing a surgical cap.
b. wearing hospital scrubs.
c. keeping the or doors closed.
,2|Page
d. a thorough surgical hand scrub. - ANSWER: d. a thorough surgical hand scrub.
list in order the sequence of induction for general anesthesia:
1. leads placed on the patient
2. induction agent is given through an iv
3. patient is prompted to breathe 100% oxygen
4. patient is intubated
5. anesthetic gas agent is selected and applied
a. 1, 3, 5, 4, and 2
b. 5, 2, 3, 1, and 4
c. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
d. 4, 2, 3, 1, and 5 - ANSWER: c. 1, 3, 2, 4, and 5
place the following phases of wound healing by first intention in correct order from
first to last:
i. proliferation
ii. remodeling
iii. inflammatory
a. i, ii, iii
b. ii, i, iii
c. iii, i, ii
d. iii, ii, i - ANSWER: c. iii, i, ii
,3|Page
a surgical technologist has selected the sutures for a procedure based on the
surgeon's preference card. the surgeon states he would like additional sutures and
his preference card is outdated. which of the following is the surgical technologist's
best course of action?
a. open all of the sutures that were collected and place them on the back table just
in case the surgeon needs them.
b. return the sutures that are not needed to sterile supply and proceed with the case.
c. ask the surgeon if he would like to have his preference card updated and proceed
accordingly.
d. update the surgeon's preference card to reflect the sutures that have been
requested for this case. - ANSWER: c. ask the surgeon if he would like to have his
preference card updated and proceed accordingly.
while being transferred from the stretcher to the operating room bed, the patient
expresses fear of not awakening from anesthesia. the surgical technologist should.
a. proceed with the transfer and disregard patient comments.
b. explain the action of the anesthetic agent.
c. reassure the patient that the anesthetic is safe.
d. have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns. - ANSWER: d.
have the anesthesia care provider address the patient's concerns.
, 4|Page
when preparing endoscopic cameras for ethylene oxide sterilization, which of the
following monitoring processes would be utilized to ensure all parameters of
sterilization were met?
a. external tape
b. biological indicator
c. dynamic air removal
d. internal strip - ANSWER: b. biological indicator
which of the following rongeurs is used to expand the antrostomy in a caldwell-luc
procedure?
a. cushing
b. bethune
c. kerrison
d. stille-luer - ANSWER: c. kerrison
the surgical technologist in the scrub role should remain sterile following which of
the following surgical procedures?
a. laparoscopic cholecystectomy
b. carotid endarterectomy
c. total hip arthroplasty
d. tympanoplasty - ANSWER: b. carotid endarterectomy
