NBSTSA CERTIFIED SURGICAL
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM
RESULTS AND INSIGHTS
1. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, what should the surgical technologist do if the
appendix is perforated? - CORRECT ANSWER -Suction the fluid from the abdomen
to limit postoperative complications.
2. What is the consequence of continuing to remove the appendix after perforation
during a laparoscopic procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER -It increases the possibility
of postoperative complications.
3. Why can't a Kelly clamp be placed over a perforation during a laparoscopic
procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER -This step can only be performed during an open
procedure.
4. What should not be done after a carotid endarterectomy until the patient leaves the
room? - CORRECT ANSWER -The back table, mayo, and basin should not be torn
down.
5. What is the best practice for handling the back table and instruments after a carotid
endarterectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -Keep the back table, mayo, and basin
sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
6. What should a surgical technologist prepare for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze.
7. Why are squared gauze sponges not suitable for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They are not bulky or compatible for this area of the body.
,8. What is the purpose of using an abdominal pad in surgical dressings? - CORRECT
ANSWER -It is primarily for pressure dressings to eliminate dead space.
9. What is the significance of using fluffed sponges in complex ear procedures? -
CORRECT ANSWER -They are required for mastoid dressings.
10. What is the role of Kerlix or Kling in mastoid dressing preparation? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They are types of rolled gauze used in conjunction with fluffed sponges.
11. What is a potential issue with using gauze sponges and a Velcro strap for mastoid
dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -Gauze sponges need to be fluffed, and a Velcro
strap is not necessary for mastoid dressing.
12. What is the reference for the surgical technologist's preparation for a mastoid
dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A
Positive Care Approach, 2017, 5th Ed: pg. 632.
13. What is the reference for the surgical technologist's actions during a laparoscopic
appendectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice,
2018, 7th Edition, Joanna Kotcher Fuller: pg. 532.
14. What is the reference for the best practices after a carotid endarterectomy? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A Positive
Care Approach, 2017, 5th Ed: pg. 375.
15. What is the first step in applying a pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril.
16. What should be done before applying a pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT
ANSWER -The limb should be prepped with ChloraPrep, avoiding the area where the
tourniquet will be placed.
,17. Which instrument is used to grasp the cervix during a dilation and curettage? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The Schroeder, which is a tenaculum with a single tooth.
18. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left lung.
19. What is the significance of the left lung having fewer lobes than the right lung? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The left lung has only an upper and lower lobe due to the
position of the heart.
20. What should a surgical technologist do when a break in aseptic technique occurs? -
CORRECT ANSWER -First notify the contaminating team member.
21. What pathological condition is caused by excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid
in the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER -Hydrocephalus.
22. What is hydrocephalus? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is the excessive production or
build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain or ventricles.
23. What is an encephalocele? - CORRECT ANSWER -A brain protrusion through a
cranial fissure.
24. What does cranial bifida refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER -An incomplete closure of
the cranial bones.
25. What condition is characterized by premature ossification of skull sutures? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Craniosynostosis.
, 26. What is the purpose of wrapping the limb with Webril before applying a tourniquet?
- CORRECT ANSWER -To provide protection to the area where the tourniquet is
placed and inflated.
27. What is the function of the Esmarch bandage in relation to the pneumatic
tourniquet? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is applied after the Webril and tourniquet
have been positioned, used for exsanguination.
28. What is the role of the circulating nurse in relation to breaks in aseptic technique? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The circulating nurse does not need to be notified to make a
decision concerning a break in technique.
29. What is the role of the OR supervisor regarding breaks in aseptic technique? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The OR supervisor does not need to be notified to make a
decision concerning a break in technique.
30. What is the role of the anesthesia provider in relation to breaks in aseptic technique?
- CORRECT ANSWER -The anesthesia provider does not need to be notified to
make a decision concerning a break in technique.
31. What is the purpose of using a Sims instrument? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a
vaginal retractor used for gynecological procedures.
32. What is the Auvard instrument used for? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a weighted
vaginal retractor used for gynecological procedures.
33. What type of forceps is Bozeman? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a long dressing
forceps used for packing the vagina.
34. What is the recommended action if a break in aseptic technique occurs? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Each person is responsible for taking appropriate action to correct the
error.
TECHNOLOGIST EXAM
RESULTS AND INSIGHTS
1. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, what should the surgical technologist do if the
appendix is perforated? - CORRECT ANSWER -Suction the fluid from the abdomen
to limit postoperative complications.
2. What is the consequence of continuing to remove the appendix after perforation
during a laparoscopic procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER -It increases the possibility
of postoperative complications.
3. Why can't a Kelly clamp be placed over a perforation during a laparoscopic
procedure? - CORRECT ANSWER -This step can only be performed during an open
procedure.
4. What should not be done after a carotid endarterectomy until the patient leaves the
room? - CORRECT ANSWER -The back table, mayo, and basin should not be torn
down.
5. What is the best practice for handling the back table and instruments after a carotid
endarterectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -Keep the back table, mayo, and basin
sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
6. What should a surgical technologist prepare for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze.
7. Why are squared gauze sponges not suitable for a mastoid dressing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They are not bulky or compatible for this area of the body.
,8. What is the purpose of using an abdominal pad in surgical dressings? - CORRECT
ANSWER -It is primarily for pressure dressings to eliminate dead space.
9. What is the significance of using fluffed sponges in complex ear procedures? -
CORRECT ANSWER -They are required for mastoid dressings.
10. What is the role of Kerlix or Kling in mastoid dressing preparation? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They are types of rolled gauze used in conjunction with fluffed sponges.
11. What is a potential issue with using gauze sponges and a Velcro strap for mastoid
dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -Gauze sponges need to be fluffed, and a Velcro
strap is not necessary for mastoid dressing.
12. What is the reference for the surgical technologist's preparation for a mastoid
dressing? - CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A
Positive Care Approach, 2017, 5th Ed: pg. 632.
13. What is the reference for the surgical technologist's actions during a laparoscopic
appendectomy? - CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice,
2018, 7th Edition, Joanna Kotcher Fuller: pg. 532.
14. What is the reference for the best practices after a carotid endarterectomy? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A Positive
Care Approach, 2017, 5th Ed: pg. 375.
15. What is the first step in applying a pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril.
16. What should be done before applying a pneumatic tourniquet? - CORRECT
ANSWER -The limb should be prepped with ChloraPrep, avoiding the area where the
tourniquet will be placed.
,17. Which instrument is used to grasp the cervix during a dilation and curettage? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The Schroeder, which is a tenaculum with a single tooth.
18. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left lung.
19. What is the significance of the left lung having fewer lobes than the right lung? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The left lung has only an upper and lower lobe due to the
position of the heart.
20. What should a surgical technologist do when a break in aseptic technique occurs? -
CORRECT ANSWER -First notify the contaminating team member.
21. What pathological condition is caused by excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid
in the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER -Hydrocephalus.
22. What is hydrocephalus? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is the excessive production or
build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain or ventricles.
23. What is an encephalocele? - CORRECT ANSWER -A brain protrusion through a
cranial fissure.
24. What does cranial bifida refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER -An incomplete closure of
the cranial bones.
25. What condition is characterized by premature ossification of skull sutures? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Craniosynostosis.
, 26. What is the purpose of wrapping the limb with Webril before applying a tourniquet?
- CORRECT ANSWER -To provide protection to the area where the tourniquet is
placed and inflated.
27. What is the function of the Esmarch bandage in relation to the pneumatic
tourniquet? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is applied after the Webril and tourniquet
have been positioned, used for exsanguination.
28. What is the role of the circulating nurse in relation to breaks in aseptic technique? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The circulating nurse does not need to be notified to make a
decision concerning a break in technique.
29. What is the role of the OR supervisor regarding breaks in aseptic technique? -
CORRECT ANSWER -The OR supervisor does not need to be notified to make a
decision concerning a break in technique.
30. What is the role of the anesthesia provider in relation to breaks in aseptic technique?
- CORRECT ANSWER -The anesthesia provider does not need to be notified to
make a decision concerning a break in technique.
31. What is the purpose of using a Sims instrument? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a
vaginal retractor used for gynecological procedures.
32. What is the Auvard instrument used for? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a weighted
vaginal retractor used for gynecological procedures.
33. What type of forceps is Bozeman? - CORRECT ANSWER -It is a long dressing
forceps used for packing the vagina.
34. What is the recommended action if a break in aseptic technique occurs? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Each person is responsible for taking appropriate action to correct the
error.
