NCCT-TSC SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE Q AND A 2026
● Kitner/Kitter. Answer: small roll of heavy cotton tape; often clamped
to a forcep and used for dissection or absorption
● Esmarch. Answer: a long roll of latex used to exsanguinate blood from
an extremity
● Pledget. Answer: small piece of felt used as support under friable
tissues
● Silver Nitrate Stick. Answer: used to cauterize small areas of light
bleeding often on mucus membrane (commonly used on cervical
procedures)
● Trocar. Answer: surgical instrument; blunt or with a 3-sided cutting
point enclosed in a tube (for accessing a body cavity)
● Cephalosporins. Answer: broad-spectrum antibiotics
● Vasodilator. Answer: used to dilate peripheral blood vessels
, ● Gastrostomy. Answer: creation of an artificial opening into the
stomach
● Miotics. Answer: constrict the pupil
● Mandibulectomy. Answer: surgical removal of a portion of the jaw
● Disectomy. Answer: removal of herniated disk material
● Thrombin. Answer: blood enzyme to control capillary bleeding (often
white powder mixed with water or saline to form a solution)
● Contrast Media. Answer: substance used to enhance the visibility of
soft tissues in imaging studies
● Cholecystectomy. Answer: surgical removal of the gallbladder
● Arthroscopy. Answer: visual examination of the internal structure of a
joint
● Stylus. Answer: probe inserted or passed through to clear/open
passage of a catheter, needle, or tube
GUIDE COMPLETE Q AND A 2026
● Kitner/Kitter. Answer: small roll of heavy cotton tape; often clamped
to a forcep and used for dissection or absorption
● Esmarch. Answer: a long roll of latex used to exsanguinate blood from
an extremity
● Pledget. Answer: small piece of felt used as support under friable
tissues
● Silver Nitrate Stick. Answer: used to cauterize small areas of light
bleeding often on mucus membrane (commonly used on cervical
procedures)
● Trocar. Answer: surgical instrument; blunt or with a 3-sided cutting
point enclosed in a tube (for accessing a body cavity)
● Cephalosporins. Answer: broad-spectrum antibiotics
● Vasodilator. Answer: used to dilate peripheral blood vessels
, ● Gastrostomy. Answer: creation of an artificial opening into the
stomach
● Miotics. Answer: constrict the pupil
● Mandibulectomy. Answer: surgical removal of a portion of the jaw
● Disectomy. Answer: removal of herniated disk material
● Thrombin. Answer: blood enzyme to control capillary bleeding (often
white powder mixed with water or saline to form a solution)
● Contrast Media. Answer: substance used to enhance the visibility of
soft tissues in imaging studies
● Cholecystectomy. Answer: surgical removal of the gallbladder
● Arthroscopy. Answer: visual examination of the internal structure of a
joint
● Stylus. Answer: probe inserted or passed through to clear/open
passage of a catheter, needle, or tube
