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Welcome to your Surgical Technician Certification Practice Test!
This test is designed to help you prepare for the CST exam by covering a wide range of topics.
It includes questions on surgical procedures, sterilization, patient care, equipment handling, anatomy, and more.
Be sure to read each question carefully and select the best answer.
Good luck!
Surgical Technician (CST) Certification Practice Test
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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a surgical technologist during a procedure?
Administer anesthesia | |
Maintain sterile field | |
Perform surgery | |
Monitor vital signs |
Question 2 |
Which of the following is used to prevent infection during surgery?
Antibiotic ointment | |
Sterile drapes | |
Oxygen | |
Surgical scissors |
Question 3 |
What is the purpose of a surgical scrub?
To prepare the skin of the patient | |
To remove all traces of bacteria from the hands and arms
c) T | |
To disinfect the surgical instruments | |
To provide the surgical team with a sterile gown |
Question 4 |
What type of gloves should be worn during surgery?
Non-sterile gloves | |
Sterile gloves | |
Vinyl gloves | |
Nitrile gloves |
Question 5 |
Which of the following instruments is commonly used for cutting tissue during surgery?
Hemostat | |
Scissors | |
Forceps | |
Sponge stick |
Question 6 |
In which of the following procedures would a surgical technologist most likely assist with the use of a microscope?
Neurosurgery | |
Orthopedic surgery | |
Cardiovascular surgery | |
General surgery |
Question 7 |
What is the proper method for handling sterile equipment?
Touch only the handles | |
Never touch the sterile field | |
Touch anything as long as it’s covered with a sterile drape | |
Use sterile gloves for all contact |
Question 8 |
What is the most common method of sterilizing surgical instruments?
Autoclaving | |
Chemical sterilization | |
Dry heat | |
Radiation |
Question 9 |
Which of the following is a common complication during surgery?
Sepsis | |
Dry mouth | |
Insomnia | |
Nausea |
Question 10 |
The surgical technologist should always maintain which of the following during surgery?
Communication with the patient | |
A sterile field | |
The surgical instruments | |
The anesthesia machine |
Question 11 |
What is the correct order for donning sterile attire?
Gloves, gown, mask | |
Mask, gown, gloves | |
Gown, gloves, mask | |
Gown, mask, gloves |
Question 12 |
Which of the following is used to cut bone during surgery?
Bone saw | |
Scissors | |
Electrocautery | |
Scalpel |
Question 13 |
When should a surgical technologist remove a used surgical instrument from the sterile field?
When the surgeon requests it | |
Immediately after use | |
When the surgery is complete | |
When the scrub nurse instructs |
Question 14 |
Which of the following is the primary function of hemostasis in surgery?
Cutting through tissue | |
Preventing infection | |
Stopping bleeding | |
Supporting the incision site |
Question 15 |
What is the primary reason for using a sterile drape during surgery?
To provide a barrier against contamination | |
To protect the surgical team | |
To enhance visibility for the surgeon | |
To stabilize the surgical instruments |
Question 16 |
What is the purpose of a laparoscope?
To cut through tissue | |
To visualize the inside of the body | |
To cauterize tissue | |
To repair vessels |
Question 17 |
Which of the following should be monitored to ensure patient safety during surgery?
Heart rate | |
Blood pressure | |
Oxygen saturation | |
All of the above |
Question 18 |
What is the first step in sterilizing surgical instruments?
Autoclaving | |
Cleaning | |
Packaging | |
Drying |
Question 19 |
What is the role of a surgical technologist in the sterilization process?
Disinfecting the operating room | |
Assisting the surgeon with sterile techniques | |
Ensuring all instruments are sterile before the surgery | |
Administering anesthesia |
Question 20 |
Which surgical instrument is primarily used for grasping tissue or vessels?
Forceps | |
Scissors | |
Needle holder | |
Scalpel |
Question 21 |
Which of the following is a common site for surgical incision?
Abdomen | |
Wrist | |
Thigh | |
Back |
Question 22 |
What type of suture is most commonly used for internal organs?
Absorbable sutures | |
Non-absorbable sutures | |
Stainless steel sutures | |
Surgical tape |
Question 23 |
What is the primary purpose of a surgical drape?
To provide a sterile surface | |
To keep the patient warm | |
To protect the operating team | |
To provide lighting for the surgical site |
Question 24 |
Which instrument is used to remove tissue during surgery?
Curette | |
Hemostat | |
Scissors | |
Forceps |
Question 25 |
What is a common method of achieving hemostasis during surgery?
Suture ligature | |
Electrocautery | |
Manual pressure | |
All of the above |
Question 26 |
Which of the following is an essential aspect of maintaining a sterile field during surgery?
Keeping the instruments on the sterile drape | |
Ensuring the patient’s skin is clean | |
Making sure all personnel wear masks | |
All of the above |
Question 27 |
What should be done if a sterile item becomes contaminated during surgery?
Discard it immediately | |
Re-sterilize it | |
Ask the surgeon to ignore it | |
Continue using it if it is still usable |
Question 28 |
How should the surgical technologist pass instruments to the surgeon?
By hand, ensuring the sterile field is maintained | |
Using a sterile tray | |
By setting them aside for the surgeon to reach | |
By handing them off to the nurse |
Question 29 |
What is the purpose of a sterile field in the operating room?
To facilitate better lighting | |
To reduce the risk of infection | |
To organize surgical instruments | |
To ensure all equipment is visible |
Question 30 |
Which type of suture material is used to close the skin after surgery?
Non-absorbable sutures | |
Absorbable sutures | |
Silk sutures | |
Stainless steel sutures |
Question 31 |
Which of the following is a characteristic of a clean wound in surgery?
It has no contamination and no inflammation | |
It contains pus | |
It is infected | |
It is caused by a surgical instrument |
Question 32 |
What should the surgical technologist do when a sterile instrument is dropped?
Discard it immediately | |
Use it any way | |
Retrieve it and re-sterilize it | |
Ask the surgeon to sterilize it |
Question 33 |
What type of incision is most commonly used in abdominal surgeries?
Midline incision | |
Lateral incision | |
Oblique incision | |
Vertical incision |
Question 34 |
What is the purpose of an electrocautery tool in surgery?
To cut tissue | |
To stop bleeding | |
To inject anesthesia | |
To remove tissue |
Question 35 |
Which of the following is used to remove excess fluid from the surgical site?
Suction | |
Scissors | |
Forceps | |
Sponges |
Question 36 |
What is the primary function of a sterile drape?
To keep the surgical site visible | |
To keep the area clean and free from contamination | |
To cover the patient during the procedure | |
To provide warmth during surgery |
Question 37 |
How should a surgical technologist prepare for a procedure involving a patient with a known allergy to latex?
Use only latex gloves and equipment | |
Use non-latex alternatives | |
Inform the surgeon and continue as usual | |
Ask the patient to avoid latex after surgery |
Question 38 |
Which of the following is used to assist in the closure of a wound?
Suture | |
Hemostat | |
Sponge | |
Scissors |
Question 39 |
What is a common method of ensuring a sterile field is maintained during surgery?
Avoiding unnecessary movements | |
Using sterile equipment | |
Checking that all team members are properly gowned | |
All of the above |
Question 40 |
Which of the following is a tool used to hold tissue during surgery?
Forceps | |
Scissors | |
Needle holder | |
Electrocautery |
Question 41 |
What should be done if a sterile drape is found to be contaminated?
Reposition the drape to cover the contaminated area | |
Replace the contaminated drape immediately | |
Use a non-sterile drape | |
Ignore it if the contamination is minimal |
Question 42 |
What is the primary role of the surgical assistant?
Provide anesthesia | |
Help the surgeon by passing instruments and retracting tissues | |
Monitor vital signs | |
Assist in patient recovery |
Question 43 |
How should surgical instruments be organized for use?
By size and function | |
By color | |
Randomly | |
By shape |
Question 44 |
What is a common complication associated with anesthesia?
Nausea | |
Excessive bleeding | |
Wound infection | |
Bone fractures |
Question 45 |
Which of the following is the best practice for maintaining a sterile field when passing instruments?
Handing instruments off directly | |
Using a sterile tray to pass instruments | |
Asking the scrub nurse to pass instruments | |
Allowing the surgeon to grab instruments himself |
Question 46 |
How should a surgical technologist handle a patient’s medical history during surgery?
Ignore it | |
Keep it confidential and follow guidelines | |
Discuss it with other team members | |
Ask the patient about it during surgery |
Question 47 |
What is the role of the circulating nurse during surgery?
Assisting the surgeon directly | |
Monitoring the patient’s vital signs | |
Managing the surgical field and supplies | |
Administering anesthesia |
Question 48 |
What is the appropriate action if an instrument is dropped during a sterile procedure?
Pick it up and use it | |
Discard it and replace it with a sterile one | |
Continue without it | |
Sterilize it and return it to the field |
Question 49 |
Which surgical instrument is used to hold back tissue or organs during surgery?
Retractor | |
Forceps | |
Scissors | |
Clamp |
Question 50 |
How should surgical instruments be handled after the surgery is complete?
They should be thrown away immediately | |
They should be cleaned and sterilized for reuse | |
They should be returned to the manufacturer | |
They should be kept in a sterile pouch for future surgeries |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 50 questions to complete.
