Download NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A With Complete Solutions Latest Update and more Exams Surgical Pathology in PDF only on Docsity! NBSTSA CST Practice Exam A With Complete Solutions Latest Update 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 answers 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 1 is scheduled in two 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 1 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 1 should be left so that these supplies and instruments can be used by the next case. D. The surgical technologist should argue that the procedure be held in OR 1 as planned. - correct answers B. New sterile supplies and instruments should be obtained for OR 2 and the setup in OR 1 should be disposed of. Which of the following is the body's local tissue reaction to injury? A. fever B. infection C. inflammation D. immune reaction - correct answers C. inflammation Which of the following instruments is used for a common bile duct exploration? A. Fogarty clamp B. Randall forceps C. Pennington clamp D. Forester ring forceps - correct answers B. Randall 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 C. pass side-to-side. D. both face the sterile field. - correct answers 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. autotransfuser - correct answers 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 patient. - correct answers A. physiologic condition of the patient. If two basins are wrapped together for sterilizing, they should be packaged with one basin A.stacked 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 towel. D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel. - correct answers D.stacked inside the other and separated by a towel. 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 answers 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 greeted. - correct answers 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. - correct answers 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 answers B. necrosis Which of the following techniques is NOT acceptable for draping the patient? A.Hold the drapes high until directly over the patient. B.Protect the gloved hands by cuffing the drapes. C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement. D.Place the drapes on a dry area. - correct answers C.Readjust the drapes as necessary after placement. Which of the following structures is separated first when a paramedian incision is performed? A. peritoneum B. transverse abdominis C. external oblique 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 answers 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 split 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 answers 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 answers A. primary intention Which of the following patients is MOST likely to acquire a nosocomial infection? A. a healthy female patient who is 45 years of age B. a female patient in labor and delivery C. a healthy male patient who is 45 years of age D. a male patient who has diabetes - correct answers D. a male patient who has diabetes 31 The appendiceal stump, when inverted, is held in place by which of the following types of suture? A. mattress B. traction C. interrupted D. purse-string - correct answers D. purse-string Aerobic organisms are BEST characterized as A. pathogenic. B. nonpathogenic. C. oxygen-requiring. D. non-oxygen-requiring. - correct answers C. oxygen- requiring. The PRIMARY purpose of chest tubes is to A. irrigate the pleural space. B. eliminate chest leaks. C. prevent pulmonary emboli. D. re-establish negative pressure. - correct answers D. re-establish negative pressure. Which of the following is a surgical instrument designed for retracting? A. Potts B. Penfield C. Lowman D. Gelpi - correct answers D. Gelpi 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. Billroth I - correct answers B. Whipple D. inform the surgeon. - correct answers B. request to be removed from the room. Mannitol (Osmitrol) is used in neurosurgical procedures to A. prevent bleeding. B. decrease intracranial pressure. C. anesthetize the operative site. D. fight possible postoperative infection. - correct answers B. decrease intracranial pressure. Which of the following lies between the lung and the chest wall? A. mediastinum B. peritoneum C. pleura D. pericardium - correct answers C. pleura Which of the following is applied as a nonadherent dressing? A. adaptic B. collodion C. steri-strip D. elastoplast - correct answers A. adaptic A Balfour is used in which of the following procedures? A. tracheostomy B. sigmoid resection C. pulmonary decortication D. stapedectomy - correct answers 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 - correct answers 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 answers 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 answers B. appendectomy 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 answers C. oblique muscles A perforator is used for which of the following procedures? A. cordotomy B. craniotomy C. laminectomy D. spinal fusion - correct answers B. craniotomy Why is the right kidney typically several centimeters lower than the left kidney? 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. - correct answers 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 answers B. 3 minutes If a routine surgical procedure was performed without consent, the surgeon committed A. assault. B. battery. C. malpractice. D. liability. - correct answers B. battery. 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. D. not perform any procedure that may require a transfusion. - correct answers 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 answers 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 answers 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 answers 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. B. is sent to pathology immediately. C. will contaminate the sterile field. D. needs to be placed in formalin solution. - correct answers B. is sent to pathology immediately. Which of the following procedures is used to visualize the cystic, hepatic, and common ducts? A. barium enema B. cholangiography C. intravenous pyelography D. upper gastrointestinal series - correct answers B. cholangiography D. decrease bleeding. - correct answers C. block peripheral nerve receptors. 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 the table line - correct answers 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 answers 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 - correct answers D. propofol 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? A. cystocele B. endometriosis C. leiomyoma D. ectopic pregnancy - correct answers A. cystocele A surgical technologist enters the OR after scrubbing and notices spots of blood on the OR lights. Which of the following actions is the MOST appropriate? A. Ignore the spots because they are small. B. Tell the circulator to obtain replacements and wait at the scrub sink. C. Ask the circulator to clean the spot and then proceed. D. Break scrub to clean the lights and help open a new sterile field. - correct answers D. Break scrub to clean the lights and help open a new sterile field. Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) setup? A. lithotrite B. urethrotome C. resectoscope D. Randall - correct answers C. resectoscope Which of the following instruments has teeth? A. Kocher B. Mixter C. Babcock D. Mosquito - correct answers A. Kocher When entering the abdominal cavity, which of the following BEST describes the order of contact with the layers of tissue? A. skin, fascia, subcutaneous, peritoneum, muscle B. skin, subcutaneous, muscle, fascia, peritoneum C. skin, fascia, peritoneum, subcutaneous, muscle A. Remove sterile drapes, remove gown and gloves, and don a pair of unsterile gloves to aid in the care of the postoperative patient. B. Remove gown and gloves, don a pair of unsterile gloves to remove drapes from the patient, and remove instruments and supplies from the back table. C. Remove gown and gloves, don a pair of sterile gloves to remove drapes from patient, and remove gloves and don a pain of unsterile gloves to clean the back table. D. Remove sterile drapes, remove gown and gloves, and don a pair of sterile gloves to clean back table. - correct answers A. Remove sterile drapes, remove gown and gloves, and don a pair of unsterile gloves to aid in the care of the postoperative patient. Which of the following drugs neutralizes the action of heparin? A. calcium chloride B. protamine sulfate C. lidocaine (Xylocaine) D. neostigmine (Prostigmin) - correct answers B. protamine sulfate Which of the following wounds is MOST likely in the inflammatory phase of wound healing? A. a Bankart repair, one week post-procedure B. a laparotomy incision with a cicatrix C. an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a finger, two weeks post-procedure D. an abdominal incision, 20 minutes post-closure - correct answers D. an abdominal incision, 20 minutes post-closure To revascularize the heart muscle of a patient with heart disease, a graft may be anastomosed between which of the following two vessels? A. internal mammary artery to affected coronary artery B. subclavian artery to affected coronary artery C. internal mammary artery to aorta D. subclavian artery to aorta - correct answers A. internal mammary artery to affected coronary artery A laparotomy drape has been placed on a patient, and unprepped skin on the operative site is exposed. Which of the following is the BEST next step? A. Apply drapes over unprepped skin. B. Reposition the drapes closer together. C. Remove drapes and re-prep. D. Cover with an adhesive drape. - correct answers C. Remove drapes and re-prep While preparing a sterile field, a surgical technologist secures the Bovie holster to the Mayo stand. The surgeon insists on keeping the Bovie by him toward the head of the patient. Which of the following would be the BEST course of action? A. Move Bovie holster up by head of patient. B. Do not move the Bovie holster. C. Tell the circulator to document the surgeon's response. D. Remove the Bovie from the field. - correct answers A. Move Bovie holster up by head of patient. Ratcheted instruments should be A. soaked in a saline solution. B. prepared for decontamination with curved tips up. C. opened for washing and sterilizing. D. sterilized in the sonic washer. - correct answers C. opened for washing and sterilizing. An effective packaging material used for a Balfour to be steam sterilized A. permits penetration by the sterilant. Which of the following procedures is used for removal of an embolus? A. endarterectomy B. balloon catheterization C. aneurysmectomy D. fasciotomy - correct answers B. balloon catheterization Which of the following items should be used to transport a patient in traction? A. bed B. stretcher C. wheelchair D. fracture table - correct answers A. bed At the conclusion of the surgical procedure, the Mayo stand should A. remain sterile until the patient leaves the room. B. be pulled away from the sterile field by the circulator after skin closure. C. be completely emptied immediately after skin closure. D. be considered unsterile once the dressing is applied. - correct answers A. remain sterile until the patient leaves the room. Which of the following is used during a tympanoplasty? A. image intensifier B. hypothermia unit C. operating microscope D. argon laser - correct answers C. operating microscope Removing a cataract by ultrasonic vibration and aspiration is called A. laser surgery. B. phacoemulsification. C. extracapsular extraction. D. intracapsular extraction. - correct answers B. phacoemulsification. Surgical loupes are used to A. provide hemostasis. B. infuse the body cavity. C. magnify the surgical field. D. stimulate the circulatory system. - correct answers C. magnify the surgical field A patient undergoing a blood transfusion is having a hemolytic reaction. Which of the following actions should the healthcare providers take FIRST? A. Administer dantrolene. B. Stop the transfusion. C. Monitor urine output. D. Send blood sample to blood bank. - correct answers B. Stop the transfusion A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper procedure for the care of the dentures? A. Return them to the patient's unit and leave them at the nurses' station. B. Place them in a labeled denture cup and keep them with the patient's chart. C. Wrap them in a paper towel and give them to the anesthesiologist. D. Ask the circulator to return them to the patient's room. - correct answers B. Place them in a labeled denture cup and keep them with the patient's chart. Which of the following is associated with secondary intention wound healing? comfortable completing the task independently. Which of the following is the surgical technologist's BEST course of action? A. Ensure that the RN has documented that the task was delegated to the surgical technologist. B. Request that the RN provides the appropriate level of supervision during the task to ensure safety. C. Confirm that the initial orientation asked about the surgical technologist's competency for the task. D. Obtain verbal instructions for completing the task from the RN before she leaves the room. - correct answers B. Request that the RN provides the appropriate level of supervision during the task to ensure safety. Which of the following may be used for a cerebral aneurysm? A. dura hook B. nerve hook C. brain spoon D. rake retractor - correct answers C. brain spoon Which of the following instruments should be included in the set-up for a laminectomy? A. Hohmann B. Mayfield C. Kerrison D. Bennett - correct answers C. Kerrison A surgical technologist is preparing a fresh specimen for frozen section to be passed off of the field. How should the specimen be prepared to be passed to the circulator? A. wrap it in a moist sponge B. remove any suture material that may be attached C. wrap it in a Telfa pad D. remove from back table using a hemostat - correct answers C. wrap it in a Telfa pad Which of the following suturing techniques features short lateral stitches that are taken beneath the epithelial layer of skin? A. purse-string B. traction C. mattress D. subcuticular - correct answers D. subcuticular Which of the following surgical needles is MOST appropriately used in a liver resection? A. cutting B. taper C. blunt D. trocar - correct answers C. blunt Which of the following is NOT an acceptable technique when placing a patient in the lithotomy position? A. arms placed on arm boards B. legs placed in stirrups one at a time C. both legs placed in stirrups simultaneously D. hips placed over the lower break of the table - correct answers B. legs placed in stirrups one at a time What is the function of silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene)? A. antimicrobial B. hemostasis C. irrigation D. anticoagulant - correct answers A. antimicrobial If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist should request additional A. lap sponges. B. RAY-TEC sponges. C. Kitners. D. cottonoids. - correct answers A. lap sponges D. absorb the products of digestion. - correct answers A. absorb water Hepatitis B is caused by a A. prion. B. virus. C. protozoan. D. bacterium. - correct answers B. virus. At the conclusion of a surgical case, how would the surgical technologist in the scrub role aid in reducing bioburden on instruments as the first step in the sterilization cycle? A. hand cleaning B. disinfection C. sorting D. sterilization - correct answers A. hand cleaning A potential surgical complication of an inguinal herniorrhaphy is injury to the A. phrenic nerve. B. sciatic nerve. C. spermatic cord. D. femoral artery. - correct answers C. spermatic cord. What type of incision is typically used for an open cholecystectomy? A. McBurney's B. Pfannenstiel C. midline D. subcostal - correct answers D. subcostal Which of the following pathogens would MOST likely cause a post-operative SSI? A. Staphylococcus aureus B. Enterococcus spp. C. Streptococcus spp. D. Escherichia coli - correct answers A. Staphylococcus aureus Which of the following must be done before sterilizing an instrument with a lumen? A. allowing the instrument to dry completely B. ensuring the stylet is still within the lumen C. injecting a small amount of distilled water into the lumen D. wrapping separately in a peel pack pouch and placed in the tray - correct answers C. injecting a small amount of distilled water into the lumen Which of the following is the correct order, from the outermost to the innermost layer, of the tissues that compose the wall of the stomach and small intestine? 1. submucosa 2. muscularis 3. serosa 4. mucosa A. 1, 4, 2, 3 B. 3, 2, 1, 4 C. 1, 2, 4, 3 D. 3, 4, 2, 1 - correct answers B. 3, 2, 1, 4 Which of the following is NOT a symptom of shock? A. tachycardia B. hypertension C. cold, clammy skin D. increased respirations - correct answers B. hypertension When transferring an unconscious, post-operative adult patient from the operating room table to a bed, what is surgeon and anesthesia care provider must verify that death has occurred? A. determination of death B. rigor mortis C. postmortem procedures D. livor mortis - correct answers A. determination of death To help prevent toxicity and vascular events in a patient where polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is used, which of the following devices should a surgical technologist have available? A. pulse lavage B. mask C. smoke evacuator D. cement mixer with charcoal filter - correct answers A. pulse lavage A pneumatic tourniquet may be used for extremity surgery to A. exsanguinate the extremity. B. allow the surgeon more operating time. C. reduce blood loss. D. create an anesthetic effect. - correct answers C. reduce blood loss. During a craniotomy, which of the following types of bone is entered? A. flat B. round C. long D. short - correct answers A. flat Which of the following is a procedure for removing excess skin from the face and neck? A. rhinoplasty B. rhytidectomy C. cheiloplasty D. blepharoplasty - correct answers B. rhytidectomy During an open repair of an indirect hernia, which of the following drains should a surgical technologist have available to pass the surgeon once the spermatic cord has been dissected? A. Malecot B. T-tube C. Jackson-Pratt D. Penrose - correct answers D. Penrose What color is a nitrous oxide tank? A. blue B. gray C. green D. orange - correct answers A. blue Which of the following is MOST likely to be in place while transferring a patient from the operating room table to the stretcher? 1. IV tubing 2. Fogarty catheter 3. EKG wires 4. Foley catheter A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 4 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 3 and 4 only - correct answers B. 1 and 4 only Which of the following types of sponges is used directly on the structures of the brain? A. RAY-TEC B. protamine sulfate C. atropine D. epinephrine - correct answers A. heparin sodium What advantage do hand-held retractors have over self- retaining retractors? A. less exposure B. operator dependency C. lesser fatigue factor D. dynamic adjustability - correct answers D. dynamic adjustability In which of the following congenital anomalies does the urethra open on the underside of the penis? A. chordee B. epispadias C. phimosis D. hypospadias - correct answers D. hypospadias Once a surgical technologist dons a gown, the cuffs on the gown are considered unsterile because they are A. covered by the cuff of the sterile glove. B. double thickness. C. absorbant and collect moisture. D. stretchable and pliable. - correct answers C. absorbant and collect moisture. A physician prescribed 50 milligrams of Demerol. The Demerol is supplied in 100 mg/mL. How many mL of Demerol should be given? A. 0.5 mL B. 1.0 mL C. 1.5 mL D. 2.0 mL - correct answers A. 0.5 mL A surgeon asks a surgical technologist to place a drop of a mydriatic solution in OD. As a result of this medication, the pupil of the A. right eye will dilate. B. left eye will dilate. C. right eye will constrict. D. left eye will constrict. - correct answers A. right eye will dilate. A Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz (MMK) requires which of the following skin preparations? 1. abdominal 2. vaginal 3. rectal 4. extremity A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 3 only C. 2 and 4 only D. 3 and 4 only - correct answers A. 1 and 2 only Which of the following conditions is triggered by an injection of succinylcholine (Anectine) and causes an unusually high fever? A. osteomyelitis B. sepsis C. malignant hyperthermia D. appendicitis - correct answers C. malignant hyperthermia Which of the following statements regarding surgical scrubbing is NOT true? A. Two accepted methods of surgical scrubbing are the timed method and the counted brush-stroke method. B. umbilical C. hypogastric D. femoral - correct answers B. umbilical Heaney clamps are used MOST frequently for which of the following types of surgery? A. hysterectomy. B. lobectomy. C. cystectomy. D. gastrectomy. - correct answers A. hysterectomy During a C-section, a surgical technologist passes the surgeon a pair of Metzenbaum scissors and Russian forceps. Which of the following anatomical parts is dissected off the uterus and gently retracted prior to uterine incision? A. ovaries B. bladder C. peritoneum D. broad ligament - correct answers B. bladder Between each surgical procedure, decontamination of walls involves washing A. areas that have been splashed with blood or debris. B. all walls with a disinfectant solution. C. from the floor up to a 5-foot level with a disinfectant solution. D. from the floor up to a 5-foot level with a viricidal solution. - correct answers A. areas that have been splashed with blood or debris. Which of the following situations would present a problem when preparing instruments for sterilization using a paper-plastic peel pack? A. The open end of the paper-plastic peel pack has been sealed with tape. B. The instruments within the paper-plastic peel pack have been held together with tape to avoid shifting. C. The instruments should be placed in the paper-plastic peel pack with the rings at the end that was sealed by the manufacturer. D. A felt-tip marker was used to label the plastic on the paper-plastic peel pack prior to sterilization. - correct answers B. The instruments within the paper-plastic peel pack have been held together with tape to avoid shifting. A patient undergoing a procedure while under general anesthesia begins to experience muscle rigidity, followed by tachycardia, metabolic and respiratory acidosis, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Which of the following is the patient experiencing? A. septic shock B. malignant hyperthermia C. cardiopulmonary arrest D. pulmonary embolism - correct answers B. malignant hyperthermia Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the A. cruciate ligaments. B. joint capsule. C. patellar tendon. D. collateral ligaments. - correct answers A. cruciate ligaments. When applying a pneumatic tourniquet preoperatively, which of the following items is used to force blood from an extremity? A. stockinette B. Coban C. tourniquet cuff D. Esmarch bandage - correct answers D. Esmarch bandage