NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A MCQ 2026 Practice Guide, Exams of General Surgery

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A MCQ 2026 Practice Guide

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2025/2026

Available from 01/23/2026

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NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A MCQ
2026 Practice Guide
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NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A MCQ 2026 Practice Guide

“1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A MCQ 2026 Practice Guide Which of the following is the opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes? A. foramen ovale B. foramen magnum C, foramen rotundum D, foramen of Bochdalek - CORRECT ANSWER -B, foramen magnum. Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in OR 1. A surgical technologist was just informed that the case has been moved to OR 2 and the next case in OR | is scheduled in ovo hours. Which of the following is the BEST course of action? A, Cover the sterile field with a sterile drape and move it from OR | to OR 2. B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of. C. OR | should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the nexc case. D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as planned. - GORRECT ANSWER -B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup in OR | should be disposed of. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury? A, fever B, infection C. inflammation r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al D. immune reaction - CORRECT ANSWER -C. inflammation Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration? A. Fogarty camp B. Randall forceps C, Pennington clamp CORREGHANGWER -B. Randall forceps D. Forester ring forceps Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when cutting suture? A. avoiding the knot B, using sharp scissors C.opening the scissors wide when cutting D. tagging the end of suture to be cut with a hemostat CORRECT ANSWER -A, avoiding the knot Which of the following structures are ligated and divided during the cholecystectomy? Avcystic artery and cystic duct B. hepatic artery and hepatic duct C. cystic artery and common bile duct D. hepatic artery and pancreatic duct - CORRECT ANSWER -A.cystic artery and cystic duct Which of the following may be used when applying a sterile dressing to a skin graft site? A, pressure dressing B. ABD pad r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al A, pass back-to-back. B. both face the wall. C. pass side-to-side. D. both face the sterile field. - GORREGIANSWER -A. pass back-to-back. Which of the following is used to oxygenate and circulate blood? A. Doppler ultrasound B, defibrillator C. extracorporeal bypass D. aucotransfuser - CORRECT ANSWER -C, extracorporeal bypass The PRIMARY consideration in selecting an appropriate anesthetic agent is the A. physiologic condition of the patient. B, length of the procedure. C. type of the procedure. D. anxiety level of the patienc. - GORRECIINSWER -A. physiologic condition of the patient. If ewo basins are wrapped together for sterilizing, they should be packaged with one basin Avstacked inside the other and separated by impervious material. B.on its side and the other upside down. C.stacked inside the other and wrapped in a rowel. D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel. - SMORRIECINAINSIVER -D. stacked inside che other and separated by a towel. r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al Which of the following items may be used in positioning a patient for a total hip arthroplasty? A. fracture table B, Wilson frame C. Andrews frame D. bean bag - CORRECT ANSWER -D. bean bag A surgical technologist sees a neighbor being admitted. How should the surgical technologist respond? A.Acknowledge the neighbor. B.Reassure the neighbor that everything will be fine. C.Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted first. D Ignore the neighbor, even if greeved. - (ORREGIMANSWER -C. Do not acknowledge the neighbor unless greeted first Instruments that come in contact with the appendiceal stump during an appendectomy should be A.placed in a separate basin. B.wiped with a saline sponge. C.returned to the Mayo stand. D. wiped with an alcohol sponge. - GORRECTANGWER -A. placed in a separate basin. Which of the following is the MOST serious complication of a strangulated hernia? A, shock B. necrosis C, infection D. hemorrhage - CORRECT ANSWER -B. necrosis r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al To prevent contamination at the end of a surgical procedure, which of the following should be removed LAST by the surgical technologist in the scrub role? A, patient's drapes B, surgical gloves C. surgical gown D. Mayo stand drape - CORRECT ANSWER -B. surgical gloves In order to remove a portion of the kidney, the surgeon must enter which of the following? A. synovial membrane B, Gerota's fascia C, Hesselbach’s triangle D. suprapleural membrane - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Gerota's fascia Which of the following is the MOST common straight catheter used prior to laparoscopic gynecological surgery in the OR? A. Foley B. Pezzer C. Malecot D. Robinson - CORRECT ANSWER -D. Robinson A Stamey needle is used for which of the following types of surgery? A. hysterectomy B. prostatectomy C. bladder suspension r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al D. anterior colporrhaphy - GORRE@MANSWER -C. bladder suspension Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which of the following procedures might be performed on the patient in the operating room? A. cystoscopy B, culdoscopy C. sigmoidoscopy D. laparoscopy - CORRECT ANSWER -C, sigmoidoscopy Which of the following is a fenestrated drape? A.a drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative site B. a splic drape that has two tails C. a drape used to cover the operating table, instrument table, and body regions D. an incise drape that is self-adhering - CORRECT ANSWER A. a drape with an opening that allows exposure of the operative site An appendectomy incision closed using suture is considered to be which of the following types of wound closure? A. primary intention B. secondary intention C, tertiary intention D. third intention - CORRECT ANSWER A. priauary intention Which of the following patients is MOST likely to acquire a nosocomial infection? r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al Which of the following is a surgical instrument designed for retracting? A, Pots B. Penfield C. Lowman ©, Geli - CORREANSITER -D. Gap Which of the following surgical procedures may be used to remove a carcinoma from the head of the pancreas? A. Heller B. Whipple C, Bankart D. Billcoch |- SORREGHENSWER -B. Whipple A sterile item used with an electrosurgical unit is the A. generator. B. patient return electrode. C. active electrode. D. foot pedal. - SORRISGINANSWER -C. active electrode What is the desired effect of atropine sulfate when used as a preoperative medication? A, drowsiness B. pain relief C, decreased anxiety D. drying of secretions - CORRECT ANSWER -D, drying of secretions r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al A postoperative coral arthroplasty patient presents to the emergency department with severe throbbing pain, fever, and malaise. Which of the following is the likely diagnosis A, osteoarthritis B. osteoporosis C, osteomyelitis D. osteomalacia - CORRECT ANSWER -C, osteomyelitis Which of the following is used to stabilize a fractured finger? A. Rush rods B. Hagie pins C. Knowles pins D. Kirschner wires - CORRECT ANSWER D. Kirschner wires Which of the following is the primary purpose for changing into operating room attire? A. to standardize uniforms B. to prevent the of spread of microorganisms C. to identify operating room personnel D. to avoid damage co personal actire- SORREGINSNSWER -B. co prevent the of spread of microorganisms A surgical technologist is assigned to a room where the patient happens to be his neighbor. To protect patient confidentiality, the technologist should indicate that he knows the patient and A, continue with the procedure. B, request to be removed from the room, r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al B, sigmoid resection C. pulmonary decortication D. stapedectomy - CORRECT ANSWER -B, sigmoid resection If the VII cranial nerve is severed, which of the following is the result? A. loss of hearing B. loss of vision C. facial paralysis D. impairment of eye muscles - SORRECGTANSWER -C. facial paralysis When assisting with the closure of a skin incision and operating the skin stapler, the surgical technologist in the scrub role is placing the staples through which two layers? A.cuticular and subcuticular B.subicular and subcutaneous C.subcuticular and subcutaneous D.subcutaneous and fascia - CORRECT ANSWER -A.cuticular and subcuticular During which of the following surgeries is a Meckel's diverticulum typically discovered? A. esophagectomy B. appendectomy C. prostatectomy D. varicocelectomy - CORRECT ANSWER -B, appendectomy r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al Which of the following layers are transected when a subcostal flank incision is used for a nephrectomy? A. pre-peritoneal fat B. linea alba C. oblique muscles D. rectus abdominis muscle - CORRECT ANSWER -C. oblique muscles A perforator is used for which of the following procedures? A, cordotomy B, craniotomy C, laminectomy D. spinal fusion - CORRECT ANSWER -B. craniotomy Tn preparation for a cranial aneurysm, which of the following pieces of equipment would MOST likely be used? A. microscope B. cryoprobe C, Jordan Day drill D. Crutchfield tongs - CORRECT ANSWER -A. microscope During strabismus surgery, which of the following is the first tissue layer that must be incised? A. iris B. cornea C, sclera D. conjunctiva - CORRECT ANSWER -D. conjunctiva r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L C22 eee I I I I al A. The liver rests superior and anterior to the right kidney. B. The liver rests superior and posterior to the right kidney. C. The liver rests inferior and anterior to the right kidney. D. The liver rests inferior and posterior to the right kidney. - GORRECISANSWER -A. The liver rests superior and anterior to the right kidney. Which of the following should be the MINIMUM exposure time in a flash sterilizer for unwrapped instruments? A. 1 minute B. 3 minutes C. 5 minutes D. 7 minutes CORRECT ANSWER -B. 3 minutes Ifa routine surgical procedure was performed without consent, the surgeon committed A. assaule, B. battery. C. malpractice. CORRECT ANSWER 8, ssn D. liability. If an adult patient refuses a blood transfusion, the surgical staff should A, not administer blood to the patient. B, administer blood only in an emergency. C. administer blood only after sedation. r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al Ds ce eee ee ee es D. not perform any procedure that may require a transfusion, - CORRECT ANSWER -A, not administer blood to the patient. During the intraoperative phase, which of the following activities can be completed by both sterile and non- sterile members of the surgical team? A.caring for the specimen B, maintaining the patient's operative record C.clearing residual blood from the surgical field D. maintaining the sterile field and neutral zone - CORRECT ANSWER -A.caring for the specimen A lumbar meningocele involves removal of A. cerebrospinal fluid. B, lumbar disc. C. meninges. D. a fluid-filled sac, - CORRECT ANSWER -D. a fluid-filled sac. Wrinkle-free padding is applied to an extremity before application of a tourniquet to avoid A, skin injuries. B. improper inflation. C. excessive blood loss. D, skeletal injuries. - CORRECT ANSWER -A. skin injuries A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field intraoperatively because it A, needs to be labeled by the circulator. bua ee ee ee ee eee ee ee ee ee eee eee eee “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al A.laparoscopic cholecystectomy B.carotid endarterectomy C.total hip arthroplasty D. tympanoplasty - CORRECT ANSWER -B.carotid endarterectomy During dissection of the cystic duct in an open cholecystectomy, which of the following instruments is necessary? A, Ochsner forceps B, Jennings retractor C. Mixter clamp D. O'Sullivan-O'Connoc retractor - CORRECT ANSWER C. Mixter clamp A patient entering the operating room for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy looks jaundiced. Which of the following is the BEST explanation for this? A. pancreatitis B. biliary obstruction C. cholecystitis CORRECT ANSWER -B. biliary obstruction D. gastroschisis The primary purpose of a local anesthetic is to A, lower skin temperature. B. reduce fear and anxiety. C. block peripheral nerve receptors. D. decrease bleeding. - SORREGIANSWER -C. block peripheral nerve receptors. r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L “1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I al Which of the following is the correct skin preparation for a female patient undergoing a right mastectomy with possible axillary dissection? A. shoulder, upper arm and extending down to the elbow, axilla, chest to the table line, and to the left shoulder B, base of the neck, shoulder, scapula, chest to midline, and circumference of upper arm down to the elbow C. entire arm, shoulder, axilla, including the hand D. chin to umbilicus and laterally to che table line - CORRECT ANSWER A. shoulder, upper arm and extending down to the elbow, axilla, chest to the table line, and to the left shoulder When performing a parotidectomy, which of the following nerves is identified and preserved with the use of a nerve stimulator? A, facial nerve B, recurrent laryngeal nerve C, acoustic nerve D. vagus nerve - CORRECT ANSWER -A, facial nerve Which of the following medications is the anesthesia provider responsible for recording the name, amount, and delivery method during a surgical procedure? A. thrombin B. topically applied epinephrine C. polymyxin B sulfate irrigation D. propofol - SORREGHANSWER -D. p:opofol As a surgical technologist begins to prep a female patient for Foley catheterization, a bulge in the vaginal wall is noticed. Which of the following would cause this bulge? r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L