AST Surgical Technologist CST Practice Exam 1

Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes?

Teeth

Which of the following is the wound classification for a bronchoscopy?

Clean - Contaminated

The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is:

Alpha-chymotrypsin

How should the stretcher be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a patient to the OR?

Enter head first, exit feet first

Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently used in gynecological surgery?

Pfannenstiel

When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they should be positioned:

Flat

Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of:

Potassium

Which of the following tissues are cut using curved Mayo scissors?

Fascia

Which laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them?

Argon

Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an:

Informed consent

Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter?

Cardia

Low level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy:

Spores

Syndactyly refers to:

Webbed fingers

The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the:

Back table

The islets of Langerhans secrete:

Insulin

What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?

Extractions

Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?

Escherichia coli

Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the surgeon to square off an incision site?

Same side as surgeon

A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin:

Surgically clean

Through which of the following do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty?

Ampulla of Vater

Which of the following identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID bracelet prior to transporting a patient to the OR?

Name, date of birth, physician

What are spiral-shaped bacteria called?

Spirilli

The primary function of the gallbladder is to:

Store bile

Which of the following is an non-sterile member of the surgical team?

Circulator

Which of the following is not a benefit of using surface-mounted sliding doors for access to the operating room?

Aid in controlling temperature

What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure?

Time, shielding, distance

Which is the first part of the small intestine?

Duodenum

What is the surgical position frequently used for patients undergoing kidney surgery?

Lateral

How are rickettsiae transmitted?

Arthropod bites

Which of the following is an examination of the cervix using a binocular microscope?

Colposcopy

Compression of the heart from excessive fluid or blood buildup is called:

Tamponade

Which surgical team member determines when the patient can be transported from the OR to the PACU?

Anesthesia provider

Which suffix means surgical puncture to remove fluid?

-centesis

To which portion of the colon is the appendix attached?

Cecum

Which laboratory test determines bacterial identification?

Gram stain

Medication used to dilate the pupil is called:

Mydriatics

Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated?

U-drape

Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to remove a patient's identification bracelet?

Never until patient is discharged from facility

What is the position most commonly used for mitral valve replacement?

Supine

Which laser is best used during a vitrectomy?

Argon

Which of the following monitors provides positive assurance of sterility?

Biological

The apron-like structure attached to the greater curvature of the stomach is the:

Omentum

Which microbes live without oxygen?

Anaerobes

Which of the following is an abnormal tract between two epithelium-lined surfaces that is open at both ends?

Fistula

What is the action of antagonist drugs?

Counteract the action of another drug

Which of the following directional terms describes the type of skin prep of an entire extremity?

Circumferential

What organs are excised if an ovarian tumor is malignant?

Bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries, uterus

Which term refers to an abnormal thoracic curve of the spine referred to as "hunchback"?

Kyphosis

What is the medical term for a bunion?

Hallux valgus

What incision is also known as a lower oblique?

Inguinal

The small intestine attaches to the posterior abdominal wall by the:

Mesentery

What is the term for a relationship in which two organisms occupy the same area and one organism benefits while the other is unharmed?

Commensalism

A topical steroid used to reduce inflammation after eye surgery is:

Depo-Medrol

How is the surgical informed consent signed if an adult patient is illiterate?

Patient marks with an "X" and witness verifies

What direction should the stretcher be oriented when transporting a patient to the OR department?

Feet first, side rails up

Which of the following routine preoperative laboratory studies would be ordered for premenopausal women with no history of hysterectomy?

HCG

Which portion of the surgical gown is considered non-sterile?

Upper arms, neckline and axillary region

What is the name of the urinary catheter with a small, curved tapered tip used on patients with urethral strictures?

Coude

What is the surgical position commonly used for thyroid and gallbladder surgery?

Reverse Trendelenburg

A congenital defect in which the fetal blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and aorta does not close is:

Patent ductus arteriosus

Which of the following is a commonly used preservative for tissue specimens?

Formalin

What is the first step taken for an incorrect sponge count?

Notify surgeon

The mumps may be diagnosed by finding inflammation in which of the following glands?

Parotid

What institutional document is completed when an adverse or unusual event takes place in the OR that may have legal consequences for the staff or patient?

Incident report

For which procedure would Trendelenburg position provide optimal visualization?

Hysterectomy

Which of the following is a non adherent dressing?

Adaptic

Which of the following is a fenestrated drape?

Aperture

Which of the following terms describes a hernia that occurs within Hesselbach's triangle?

Direct

Which of the following incisions is oblique?

Kocher

Which of the following dilators are used in the common duct?

Bakes

Which of the following is a mechanical method of hemostasis?

Ligature

The organ that is connected by a duct to the duodenum is the:

Pancreas

A brain tumor causing alteration of muscle tone, voluntary muscle coordination, gait and balance would likely be located in the:

Cerebellum

What is the term for a relationship that benefits one organism at the expense of another?

Parasitism

What type of disease is characterized by rapid onset and a rapid recovery?

Acute

Which organelle is responsible for the production of energy?

Mitochondria

What type of anesthesia is a combination of inhalation and intravenous drugs?

Balanced

Who is ultimately responsible for obtaining the surgical informed consent?

Surgeon

What position is most commonly used for neurosurgical procedures?

Supine

The outer layer of the intestine is the:

Serosa

Which of the following solutions should be used to prep the donor site for a split-thickness skin graft?

Chlorhexidine

What type of drape would be used for a flank procedure?

Transverse

Where should the safety strap be placed on a patient who is in the supine position?

Over the thighs

Which surgical procedure is performed to correct an abnormality in which the urethral meatus is situated on the superior aspect of the penis?

Epispadias repair

Which termal method of meostasis utilizes intense, focused light?

Laser

What is the most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage?

Hypertension

The larynx is located between the:

Pharynx and trachea

The most common cause of retinal detachment is:

Trauma

What postoperative complication is associated with total hip arthroplasty?

Pulmonary embolism

Which of the following is a type of passive drain?

Penrose

The vocal cords are located in the:

Larynx

What type of acquired immunity is a vaccination?

Artificial active

When would the anesthesia provider request cricoid pressure?

Endotracheal intubation

Which instrument would be used during a keratoplasty to remove the cornea?

Trephine

What is the required minimum number of individuals to transfer an incapacitated patient from the OR table to the stretcher?

4

Which of the following regulations states that blood and body fluids should be considered infectious?

Standard Precautions

Which of the following is a major source of distress for toddler and preschool age patients being transported to the operating room?

Separation anxiety

Which structure has oral, nasal, and laryngeal divisions?

Pharynx

Otoplasty is performed to correct a congenital deformity of which structure?

Ear

An injury a patient sustains as a result of the care given by a healthcare professional is called:

Iatrogenic