NCCT Actual Questions and Correct Answers
Q1
Which of the following is the minimum number of counts for a Cesarean section case?
Answer: 4 During surgery, the surgical technologist reaches for a supply item being
handed by the circulator. The surgical technologist's left glove touches the outside of
the package. Which of the following steps must be taken to correct the break in sterile
technique? The circulator removes the contaminated glove and then the technologist
re-gloves herself.
Q2
When reviewing the autoclave log, the surgical technologist should confirm that which of the
following have been documented before using the instrumentation?
Answer: Exposure temperature What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in
the OR suite? 20 %
Q3
The surgical technologist is preparing for a myelography procedure. Which of the following
items would definitely be on the preference card for this case?
Answer: Contrast medium When preparing for a right total nephrectomy, the
operating room team should position the patient using which of the following
positioning options? left lateral position During an abdominal surgery, the anesthetist
states that they believe an MH crisis is presenting itself in the surgical patient. The
surgical tech should Prepare to close quickly and maintain the sterile field
,Q4
The surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for placement of a dressing following a
mastectomy. The surgical technologist noticed that the patient has developed a hematoma at
the incision site. The surgeon has left the operating room. Which of the following actions should
the surgical technologist take?
Answer: Ask the surgeon to return. The surgical technologist should use which of the
following disinfectants when reprocessing an endotracheal tube used during surgery?
Cidex OPA A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a
Bovie. Which of the following solutions should the surgical technologist have available
in the room for control of bleeding? Monsels solution Before use of the ESU generator
the surgical technologist should check for the biomedical engineering sticker. A
gynecologic oncology surgeon decides to bring her patient into the OR emergently
after seeing her in the office. The patient's abdomen is greatly distended, warm and
firm to the touch. Which of the following should the surgical technologist have
available? Poole tip suction and Lap sponges At the end of each case the surgical
technologist should rinse blood from the instruments with sterile water. A cardiac
arrest occurs during a thoracotomy procedure, and the surgeon calls a CODE BLUE.
The surgeon is attempting to resuscitate the patient using CPR. Which of the following
is the responsibility of the surgical technologist in this situation? Prepare internal
defibrillator paddles.
Q5
Which of the following is being tested when doing a Bowie-Dick test on an autoclave?
Answer: Amount of air removed from the autoclave The patient is undergoing
cardiothoracic surgery, and placed in the Sims position. Which of the following actions
prevents the likelihood of an intraoperative positioning injury to the brachial plexus?
Place rolled towel padding beneath abducted down-side arm.
Q6
The patient will need surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder. Which of
the following is the correct method for completing this prep?
Answer: Begin at shoulder to finger tips, including flank and chest, prepping the axilla
last, using as many sponges as needed, keeping the arm away from the bed. Which of
the following instruments is used to extend the arteriotomy during a carotid
endarterectomy? potts smith
, Q7
During an open hernia procedure on adult male patient the surgeon requests assistance with
retracting the spermatic cord. Which of the following should the surgical technologist provide?
Answer: moist Penrose The surgical technologist places the patient in Fowler position
with head secured by craniotomy headrest. Which of the following locations indicates
correct application of the safety strap? 2 inches above the knees A surgical
technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the
following items should the
Q8
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should anticipate using
which of the following sutures?
Answer: 7-0 Prolene Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a
Posterolateral Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at
the surgical site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken
sterility to help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take? Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove. A patient is having a
hysteroscopy for myomectomy excision. The patient has been under anesthesia for an
hour and is starting to show signs of extreme swelling. Which of the following is most
critical to monitor in order to prevent these symptoms? Fluid intake and output
Q9
During a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon is using a Balfour retractor. Which type of
nerve injury is possible if this retractor is placed incorrectly inside the patient?
Answer: Femoral The surgical technologist is preparing the OR suite for a patient's
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following supplies should
the surgical technologist anticipate? Continuous bladder irrigation solution The
surgical technologist hears a patient entering the operating room state verbally that
he doesn't want the surgery and fears he will not survive. The surgical technologist
must inform the circulating nurse.
Q10
The surgical technologist is assisting the surgical team in positioning the patient for a total hip
arthroplasty. How can the surgical technologist plan for placing the patient in this position?
Answer: Position the beanbag or pegboard on the surgical table. The surgeon is using
staples to close the skin on an abdominal incision after performing an exploratory
laparotomy. Which of the following pickups should the surgical technologist use for
this step? adson A GYN patient is scheduled to have a D&C procedure. To prevent the
risk of skin and neurovascular pressure or injury when the patient is placed in stirrups
in the lithotomy position, which of the following must the surgical team do? Have
adequate padding available in room.
Q1
Which of the following is the minimum number of counts for a Cesarean section case?
Answer: 4 During surgery, the surgical technologist reaches for a supply item being
handed by the circulator. The surgical technologist's left glove touches the outside of
the package. Which of the following steps must be taken to correct the break in sterile
technique? The circulator removes the contaminated glove and then the technologist
re-gloves herself.
Q2
When reviewing the autoclave log, the surgical technologist should confirm that which of the
following have been documented before using the instrumentation?
Answer: Exposure temperature What is the minimum percentage level of humidity in
the OR suite? 20 %
Q3
The surgical technologist is preparing for a myelography procedure. Which of the following
items would definitely be on the preference card for this case?
Answer: Contrast medium When preparing for a right total nephrectomy, the
operating room team should position the patient using which of the following
positioning options? left lateral position During an abdominal surgery, the anesthetist
states that they believe an MH crisis is presenting itself in the surgical patient. The
surgical tech should Prepare to close quickly and maintain the sterile field
,Q4
The surgical technologist is preparing the incision site for placement of a dressing following a
mastectomy. The surgical technologist noticed that the patient has developed a hematoma at
the incision site. The surgeon has left the operating room. Which of the following actions should
the surgical technologist take?
Answer: Ask the surgeon to return. The surgical technologist should use which of the
following disinfectants when reprocessing an endotracheal tube used during surgery?
Cidex OPA A patient is having a cervical cone biopsy. The surgeon prefers to not use a
Bovie. Which of the following solutions should the surgical technologist have available
in the room for control of bleeding? Monsels solution Before use of the ESU generator
the surgical technologist should check for the biomedical engineering sticker. A
gynecologic oncology surgeon decides to bring her patient into the OR emergently
after seeing her in the office. The patient's abdomen is greatly distended, warm and
firm to the touch. Which of the following should the surgical technologist have
available? Poole tip suction and Lap sponges At the end of each case the surgical
technologist should rinse blood from the instruments with sterile water. A cardiac
arrest occurs during a thoracotomy procedure, and the surgeon calls a CODE BLUE.
The surgeon is attempting to resuscitate the patient using CPR. Which of the following
is the responsibility of the surgical technologist in this situation? Prepare internal
defibrillator paddles.
Q5
Which of the following is being tested when doing a Bowie-Dick test on an autoclave?
Answer: Amount of air removed from the autoclave The patient is undergoing
cardiothoracic surgery, and placed in the Sims position. Which of the following actions
prevents the likelihood of an intraoperative positioning injury to the brachial plexus?
Place rolled towel padding beneath abducted down-side arm.
Q6
The patient will need surgical skin prep for a right arm disarticulation at the shoulder. Which of
the following is the correct method for completing this prep?
Answer: Begin at shoulder to finger tips, including flank and chest, prepping the axilla
last, using as many sponges as needed, keeping the arm away from the bed. Which of
the following instruments is used to extend the arteriotomy during a carotid
endarterectomy? potts smith
, Q7
During an open hernia procedure on adult male patient the surgeon requests assistance with
retracting the spermatic cord. Which of the following should the surgical technologist provide?
Answer: moist Penrose The surgical technologist places the patient in Fowler position
with head secured by craniotomy headrest. Which of the following locations indicates
correct application of the safety strap? 2 inches above the knees A surgical
technologist is in the process of opening sterile supplies for an abdominal
hysterectomy on a 300 lb. patient. After reviewing the preference card, which of the
following items should the
Q8
In preparation for a carotid endarterectomy the surgical technologist should anticipate using
which of the following sutures?
Answer: 7-0 Prolene Following placement of dressings on the back of a patient after a
Posterolateral Instrumented Lumbar Fusion (PLIF), the circulator notices bleeding at
the surgical site and notifies the surgeon. The surgical technologist has broken
sterility to help move the patient. Which of the following actions should the surgical
technologist take? Prepare to scrub, re-gown, and re-glove. A patient is having a
hysteroscopy for myomectomy excision. The patient has been under anesthesia for an
hour and is starting to show signs of extreme swelling. Which of the following is most
critical to monitor in order to prevent these symptoms? Fluid intake and output
Q9
During a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon is using a Balfour retractor. Which type of
nerve injury is possible if this retractor is placed incorrectly inside the patient?
Answer: Femoral The surgical technologist is preparing the OR suite for a patient's
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following supplies should
the surgical technologist anticipate? Continuous bladder irrigation solution The
surgical technologist hears a patient entering the operating room state verbally that
he doesn't want the surgery and fears he will not survive. The surgical technologist
must inform the circulating nurse.
Q10
The surgical technologist is assisting the surgical team in positioning the patient for a total hip
arthroplasty. How can the surgical technologist plan for placing the patient in this position?
Answer: Position the beanbag or pegboard on the surgical table. The surgeon is using
staples to close the skin on an abdominal incision after performing an exploratory
laparotomy. Which of the following pickups should the surgical technologist use for
this step? adson A GYN patient is scheduled to have a D&C procedure. To prevent the
risk of skin and neurovascular pressure or injury when the patient is placed in stirrups
in the lithotomy position, which of the following must the surgical team do? Have
adequate padding available in room.
