2025 NCCT Scrub Tech Practice Exam Questions

After a surgical procedure, non-sharp infectious waste is separated from the other waste and placed in which of the following?

Plastic trash bag

Biohazard bag

Yellow plastic bag

Standard trash bag

Biohazard Bag

These are examples of airborne contamination, except which one?

An orderly assisting with turnover who has a deep cough and a loose surgical mask.

The plume of smoke from a Bovie in a case with a fungal infection.

A sneeze in the locker room from a coworker whose child is sick.

A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back table.

A hair tie accidentally flipped by the nurse landing on the back table.

Of these options, which is an example of a three-layer dressing?

4x4s

Xeroform

Band-Aid

Ace wrap

Band-Aid

What is the most important reason why should surgical gut suture be kept away from heat sources?

Heat can soften the suture, causing it to break easily.

Surgical gut is packaged in flammable liquid.

Heat will dry out the gut and cause it to fray.

Gut is made from organic material and heat may alter it.

Surgical gut is packaged in flammable liquid.

After stepping away from the sterile field to gown the surgeon, the surgical tech lets the gown unfold in front of them, and realized it was being held backwards because the inside of the gown is facing the surgical tech. What is the correct thing to do?

Drop it, and ask the circulator to open a new gown for the surgeon.

The tech should bring their hands together, alternate the sides and rotate the gown.

Put the whole gown down on the back table, and pick it up the correct way.

Get both tech and surgeon new gowns/gloves since the inside of the gown in unsterile.

The tech should bring their hands together, alternate the sides and rotate the gown.

Absorbable suture is generally preferred for suturing which of the following tissue types?

Osseous

Periosteum

Tendon

Ligament

Periosteum

The following statements regarding gowning another person are true, except which one?

Open the hand towel and lay it on the person's hand.

Hand the folded gown to the person at the neckband.

Keep hands on the outside of the gown under a protective cuff.

Release the gown once the person touches it with their left hand.

Hand the folded gown to the person at the neckband.

During an ankle procedure the surgeon asks for a small self-retaining retractor. Which of the following instruments should you give the surgeon?

Weitlaner

Morrison

Hibbs

Deaver

Weitlaner

What is the last step in preparing surgical instruments for use after sterilization?

Inspecting for moisture.

Checking the expiration dates.

Storing in a cool environment.

Opening the sterile package in the OR.

Opening the sterile package in the OR.

These are accurate reasons why quaternary compounds are used to disinfect the OR, except which one?

Low cost alternative

Kills viruses and spores

Easily mixes with water

Odorless and non-corrosive

Kills viruses and spores

What bacterial spore is used as a biological indicator for steam sterilization?

Bacillus atrophaeus

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Clostridium tetani

Staphylococcus aureus

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Is the back of the wrap-around style surgical gown considered sterile?

Yes, as long as the tech is confident that nothing unsterile has come in contact with the back of the gown.

Yes, the gown and the gowning procedure are designed so that the entirety of the gown can remain sterile throughout the case.

No, since the back of the gown cannot be seen by the tech it is considered unsterile.

No, the circulator touches the back of the gown when they secure it.

No, since the back of the gown cannot be seen by the tech it is considered unsterile.

Which of the following is the most likely to be used when applying a sterile dressing to a skin graft recipient site?

Bolster

ABD pad

4x4's

Steri-strips

Bolster

Which of the following is defined as an undesirable and unacceptable effect of medications?

Toxic Effect

Side Effect

Adverse Effect

Therapeutic Effect

Toxic Effect

Prior to a kidney transplant, the donor kidney needs to be cooled in a preservative called:

Lugol's solution

Balanced salt solution

Lactated Ringer's solution

Collins solution

Collins Solution

Which type of suture has high tensile strength and supports a wound permanently (indefinitely)?

Silk

Stainless steel

Polyglactin

Surgical Gut

Stainless Steel

Specimens may be placed in a preservative solution for transport to the lab, except which of the following?

Stones

Curettings

Tonsils

Uterus

Stones

After donning the gown, what is the proper procedure for turning with the circulator?

Hand tag to circulator, then the scrub person turns.

Scrub person holds the tag and turns her/himself.

Hand tag to circulator, then circulator moves around the scrub person.

Hand tag to circulator, then both the scrub person and circulator turn.

Hand tag to circulator, then circulator moves around the scrub person.

Which of the following are correct details for a simple augmentation mammoplasty? [Select 3]

Patient positioned in supine or modified Fowler

Sterile implant and tissue expander, sterile saline

Kerrison Rongeur, burr, and curettes

Rod or plate, screws, and K-wires

Mammoplasty or general surgery set with breast retractors

Sterile implant and tissue expanders

Patient positioned in supine or modified Fowler

Mammoplasty or general surgery set with breast retractors

Which of these details is unnecessary to be discussed during a post-operative debrief?

Name of procedure(s) performed

Wound classification

Packing removal plan

Pertinent medical history

Pertinent medical history

Preparing instrument sets and packages for sterilization requires a label on each pack or set indicating which of the following?

A. Department code, date of expiration, and sterilizer time parameters.B. Preparer's initials, date prepared, manufacturer ID, and cycle number.C. Preparation date, preparer's initials, and surgeon to which the package belongs.D. Sterilization date, sterilizer ID, load number, and preparer's initials.

D. Sterilization date, sterilizer ID, load number, and preparer's initials.

The steam biological indicators (BIs) are incubated for 24 hours before the reading is recorded. The steam BI is incubated between which temperatures?

A. 131 - 140 degreesB. 270 - 275 degreesC. 250 - 275 degreesD. 300 - 350 degrees

A. 131 - 140 degrees

A Tech in Surgery is preparing to scrub for a knee replacement. Although she/he has verified the chemical indicator had changed, she/he still removed a few individual items from the tray for closer examination prior to removing the tray from the pan. What is she/he looking for?

A. To count every instrument in the set to verify an even number.B. To perform one last check for potential bioburden on select instruments.C. To making sure the instruments have been sharpened for the case.D. To take out instruments suspected the surgeon will not use in the case.

B.To perform one last check for potential bioburden on select instruments

Which of these is an incorrect technique for estimating the blood loss (EBL) during a case?

A. Calibrated suction devices will track the total amount of liquids removed from the surgical field.

B. The circulator may weigh sponges removed from the sterile field to provide an estimate of blood.

C. The anesthesia provider can track blood loss on the vitals monitor on the anesthesia machine.

D. The tech should keep close track of the amount of irrigation fluid used.

D.The tech should keep close track of the amount of irrigation fluid used.

Which of the following is the minimum exposure time in an Immediate Use Sterilizer (IUSS) for unwrapped instruments?

A. 7 minutesB. 5 minutes C. 1 minuteD. 3 minutes

D. 3 minutes

If a patient falls because he or she was left unattended, the OR team member could be cited in a lawsuit for which of the following?

A. Doctrine of respondeat superiorB. AbandonmentC. HIPAA or HITECH violationD. Assault and battery

B. Abandonment

Which drainage system is preferred for a radical neck dissection?

A. PenroseB. RobinsonC. HemovacD. T-tube

C. Hemovac

Which of these needle drivers is the most appropriate for use while suturing within the vaginal canal during a GYN case?

A. CrilewoodB. HeaneyC. Mayo-HegarD. Castroviejo locking

B. Heaney

How much of the operating room (OR) floor is mopped with disinfectant during a terminal clean?

A. Corner to corner and side to side - moving OR furniture when necessary.B. The area around the OR table and the main walking area in the room.C. Just the immediate area around the OR table.D. Everywhere that can be reached without moving equipment.

A. Corner to corner and side to side - moving OR furniture when necessary.

These details should be checked before opening sterile items, or adding them to the sterile field, except which one?

A. Verify with the surgeon that each item will be needed on the case.

B. Examine the integrity of the packaging (dry, no tears or perforations).

C. Ensure that the expiration date (if present) has not passed.

D. Verify that the chemical indicator has changed for reprocessed items.

A. Verify with the surgeon that each item will be needed on the case.

Which of the following describes the way an experienced tech can effectively prepare for an efficient case? [Select 3]

A. Make sure the DPC is up-to-date and their cart is pulled correctly.B. Wait until the surgeon is in the OR before opening the instruments.C. Arrange the instrumentation in an organized way during the set up.D. Organize the drapes and PPE for the surgical team in the order they'll be needed.E. Require the whole OR staff to don PPE at the same time for convenience.

A. Make sure the DPC is up-to-date and their cart is pulled correctly

C.Arrange the instrumentation in an organized way during the set up.

D.. Organize the drapes and PPE for the surgical team in the order they'll be needed

A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin

A. surgically clean.B. sterile.C. disinfected.D. moisturized.

A. Surgically clean

During a surgical procedure involving delicate and easily damaged tissue, which type of suture needle is the most appropriate to minimize tissue trauma and ensure secure tissue approximation?

A. Tapered needleB. Blunt-tipped needleC. Cutting needleD. Reverse cutting needle

D. Reverse cutting needle

During an open abdominal case the surgeon has you holding two retractors, but continues to request instruments be passed to him - requiring you to come off one of the retractors each time. You can see the surgeon becoming frustrated. What should you do?

A. Ask the surgeon if he/she would like to have a self-retaining retractor opened.B. Wait until he/she takes a step back to calm down, he/she will handle it.C. Proactively ask the circulator to open a disposable Alexis® wound retractor. D. Suggest that he/she hold one of the retractors so you will have one arm free.

A. Ask the surgeon if he/she would like to have a self-retaining retractor opened.

Why are enzymatic solutions forbidden for cleaning ophthalmic instruments?

A. Enzymatic solutions are ineffective in cleaning delicate eye instruments.B. Enzymatic solutions are more expensive than alternative cleaning methods.C. Enzymatic solutions can cause corneal endothelial toxicity and toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS).D. Enzymatic solutions leave a residue that can obscure vision during surgery.

C. Enzymatic solutions can cause corneal endothelial toxicity and toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS)

What key information should be provided to the surgical team to facilitate the completion of an incident report?

A. The detailed description including the who, what, when, where of the situation.B. The hospital and surgical team's safety protocols from the office manual.C. The central processing system for the care and maintenance of instruments.D. The patient's medical history, allergies, and current medications.

A. The detailed description including the who, what, when, where of the situation

Some solutions, like betadine or methylene blue can be easily differentiated from one another on the field. Why then, should surgical technicians be so particular about labeling every liquid on the table?

A. Surgical techs and scrub nurses by nature are detail-oriented people so verification is unnecessary.B. Most solutions and medications are clear, and not easily differentiated, labeling helps verify the 5-Rights. C. Primary Care Providers require everything to be labeled in order to document the patient's chart.D. Surgical Techs worry a great deal about being judged by their peers and upsetting the surgeon so just do as they say.

B. Most solutions and medications are clear, and not easily differentiated, labeling helps verify the 5-Rights.

Which device will most likely be used during a laparoscopic appendectomy to transect the appendix?

A. Skin staplerB. EndoGIA™ Universal linear staplerC. Open intraluminal staplerD. GIA™ linear stapler

B. EndoGIA™ Universal linear staple

After draping the patient, a small hole is discovered in the drape. To correct the situation, the surg tech may do the following, except which option?

A. Discard the drape and have a new one opened.

B. Start over with new drapes, gowns, gloves, and instrument packs.C. A smaller, ¾ drape can be laid and secured over the part of the drape with a hole.

D. The hole can be covered with a small impermeable material with an adhesive edge.

B. Start over with new drapes, gowns, gloves, and instrument packs

Which critical safety consideration must be employed to protect the surgical team when using a laser in the operating room?

A. Ensure that all personnel wear appropriate laser safety eyewear.B. Keep the laser equipment under the surgical bed for easy access.C. Use the laser at the highest power setting for faster procedures.D. Direct the laser beam towards nearby reflective surfaces while on.

A. Ensure that all personnel wear appropriate laser safety eyewea

Which is the sterile component of the electrosurgical unit (ESU)?

A. Grounding padB. Active electrodeC. GeneratorD. Foot pedal

B. Active electrode

These items are considered patient safety equipment except which one?

A. Transfer boardB. Grounding padC. Axillary rollsD. Ace wrap

D. Ace wrap

What is the correct sequence for surgical prepping and draping?

A. Apply antiseptic solution, scrub vigorously for 5 minutes, then drape the surgical site.B. Cleanse the surgical site with soap and water, dry thoroughly, then apply antiseptic solution.C. Apply antiseptic solution, allow to air dry, then drape the surgical site.D. Drape the surgical site, apply antiseptic solution, then allow to air dry.

C. Apply antiseptic solution, allow to air dry, then drape the surgical site

What is the first step the surgical tech should take in reducing bioburden on instruments for the sterilization cycle after completing a surgical procedure?

A. SortingB. PresoakingC. DisinfectingD. Sterilizing

B. Presoaking

Why are surgical preference cards important to the OR and procedure?

A. To order hospital office and patient floor supplies.B. To manage hospital finances and accounting.C. To minimize waste and reduce supply costs.D. To track patient medication history.

C. To minimize waste and reduce supply costs.

What is the main purpose of the patient skin prep prior to a surgical procedure?

A. To completely remove every type of bacteria from the skin.B. To remove resident and transient flora to sterilize the skin.C. To remove dirt, oil, and microbes, and to reduce the microbial count.D. To anesthetize, exfoliate, tan, and sterilize the patient's skin.

C. To remove dirt, oil, and microbes, and to reduce the microbial count

During a total knee replacement, the surgeon is making cuts in the patient's distal femur using a power saw. While the surgeon is cutting, you see a small plume of smoke coming out of the cut in the bone. Without being asked, what should you do?

A. Let the surgeon know he'll need to wait until the saw cools to proceed.B. Notify the surgical team that there is a fire.C. Just be ready for the next step, if the doctor wants extra irrigation, he will ask for it.D. Irrigate the bone and the saw blade with a few drops from the bulb syringe.

D.Irrigate the bone and the saw blade with a few drops from the bulb syringe.

What are the most important factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure during a surgical procedure?

A. Type of procedure, equipment, radiation doseB. Time, shielding, distanceC. Exposure, frequency, concentrationD. Site, age, gender

B. Time, shielding, distance

Which is the most common area for post operative bleeding following a bariatric surgery?

A. Small intestineB. The anastomosis or staple lineC. The area rubbed by the gastric bandD. Large intestine

B. The anastomosis or staple line

Sterile supplies and instruments for a case have been opened in O.R. 1 the surgical tech was just informed that the case has been moved to O.R. 2 and the next case in O.R. 1 is scheduled in 2 hours. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?

A. Move the Back table and supplies into O.R. 2.B. Request that the circulator take over moving the supplies from O.R. 1 to O.R. 2.C. Cover the Back table and supplies with a sterile drape to keep sterile in O.R.1.D. Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the setup in O.R. 1.

D. Obtain new supplies and instruments for O.R. 2 and dispose of the setup in O.R. 1.

Where should the electrosurgical pencil (Bovie) be placed when not in use?

A. Next to the surgical site.B. In the pocket of the surgical drape.C. In the approved holster.D. Wherever the surgeon leaves it.

C. In the approved holster.

How can a surgical tech recognize a hematoma at a surgical site?

A. By observing increased warmth and redness around the area.B. By confirming the presence of pus or discharge from the wound.C. By identifying signs such as swelling, discoloration, and increased firmness.D. By noting a decrease in pain reported by the patient.

C. By identifying signs such as swelling, discoloration, and increased firmness

If a tissue sample is contaminated, which of the following is the most likely source?

A. Contact with non-sterile instruments during biopsy.B. Immediately stored in a sealed, sterile container.C. Exposure to airborne particles during collection.D. Handling by personnel wearing sterile gloves.

A. Contact with non-sterile instruments during biopsy.

Which of the following retractors should the surgical tech have available to provide exposure to the patellar tendon while harvesting the graft for an ACL repair?

A. FukudaB. SennC. HayesD. Richardson

B. Senn

What are the primary responsibilities of a surgical tech participating in a surgical time out? [Select 2]

A. Verifying the correct surgical site, procedure, and patient identity.B. Preparing the post-operative care instructions for the patient.C. Documenting intraoperative findings for the surgical team.D. Ensuring the complete list of surgical instruments are ready.E. Inserting the IV port for the intraoperative fluids and anesthesia.

A. Verifying the correct surgical site, procedure, and patient identity.

D. Ensuring the complete list of surgical instruments are ready.

Healthcare workers should do the following in the event of a live gunman in the building, except which one?

A. FreezeB. FightC. HideD. Run

A. Freeze

When performing a case involving a laser, each member of the surgical team is expected to wear safety glasses specific to the type of laser being used. The circulating nurse places an extra set of glasses for visitors to the room in which location?

A. On a prep stand just inside the door to the OR.B. At the nurses' station upon entering the OR department.C. Hanging outside the OR door.D. At her/his desk in the OR.

C. Hanging outside the OR door.

What is the primary purpose of a Jackson-Pratt drain in a surgical procedure?

A. To provide continuous suction to remove excess fluid from the surgical site.B. To continuously monitor the temperature of the intraoperative surgical site.C. To administer pain medication directly into the surgical site during the case.D. To irrigate the surgical site with saline solution to remove loose particles.

A. A. To provide continuous suction to remove excess fluid from the surgical site

The following statements regarding gowning another person are true, except which one?

A. Keep hands on the outside of the gown under a protective cuff.

B. Hand the folded gown to the person at the neckband.

C. Open the hand towel and lay it on the person's hand.

D. Release the gown once the person touches it with their left hand.

B. . Hand the folded gown to the person at the neckband

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

A. Fear of anesthesiaB. Room temperature changeC. Lack of communicationD. Separation anxiety

D. Separation anxiety

What is the name of the electrical device commonly used in surgical procedures to stop bleeding or to cut tissue?

A. Electromagnetic radiation

B. Ultrasonic scalpel

C. Electrocautery

D. Laser ablation

C. Electrocautery

Which is the most appropriate suture for creating a vascular anastomosis?

A. 6-0 Prolene (Surgipro)

B. 0 PDS (Maxon)

C. 3-0 Monocryl (Biosyn)

D. 2-0 Vicryl (Polysorb)

A. 6-0 Prolene (Surgipro)

Absorbable suture is generally preferred for suturing which of the following tissue types?

A. Tendon

B. Periosteum

C. Osseous

D. Ligament

B. Periosteum

What is the recommended temperature in the operating room for pediatric patients?

A. Keeping the operating room temperature cooler is better for the comfort of the child, and to reduce the risk of infections.

B. The ambient operating room temperature should be 80°F (26.7 C) for the child's comfort and safety.

C. Normally the OR temperature is based on the preferences of the surgical team, usually 60 - 68 degrees F (26.7 - 30 C).

D. Keep the OR at 60 F (15.6 C) degrees as optimal since children are unaffected by the cold like adults.

B. The ambient operating room temperature should be 80°F (26.7 C) for the child's comfort and safety.

Which term is defined as "a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm."

A. Post-op report

B. Sentinel event

C. Character defamation

D. Accidental incident

B. Sentinel event

You're scrubbing a tibial fracture with an orthopedic surgeon. The Bovie and suction have been passed off the field to the patient's right and plugged in. During the case, the suction tubing (with the tip attached) slides off the field and drops below sterile on the patient's left. What is the correct action to take?

A. Have the nurse unplug the suction and toss her end over the sterile field where it can be recovered and thrown away.

B. Touching only the part of the tubing that remains sterile, pull the tubing back up and toss it off the right side where the nurse can pick it up.

C. The suction is fine to pull back up as long as it didn't touch the floor.

D. Cut the tubing over the patient with a heavy scissor, let both sides drop to the floor and ask the circulator to open a new suction tubing and tip.

D. Cut the tubing over the patient with a heavy scissor, let both sides drop to the floor and ask the circulator to open a new suction tubing and tip.

The following create increased risk of complications during surgery for geriatric patients, except which one?

A. History of healthy habits

B. Age-related physiological changes

C. Effects from physical trauma

D. Comorbidities

A. History of healthy habits

Which instrument is used to prepare and pass off a tympanostomy tube to the surgeon during a myringotomy?

A. House alligator ear forceps

B. Schnitt tonsil clamp

C. Rochester-Pean clamp

D. DeBakey forceps

A. House alligator ear forceps

Which of these special accommodations is made for obese or bariatric patients in surgery?

A. Placing an obese patient in the Trendelenberg position expands total lung volume and aids in ventilation.

B. Higher concentrations of anesthetic agents are required due to their uptake by large amounts of adipose tissue.

C. Obese surgical patients should be fit with DVT to assist in venous return to avoid the possibility of a clot.

D. Many procedures on obese patients may require shorter and more curved instruments than normally used.

B. Higher concentrations of anesthetic agents are required due to their uptake by large amounts of adipose tissue.

What is the correct process for removing the sterile drape(s) after a surgical procedure is complete?

A. Remove sharps, fold the drape by bringing the corners to the middle lengthwise, then fold it in half top to bottom.

B. Remove drape by the corners, slide sharps and used equipment onto back table; bandage patient.

C. Bandage, remove sharps, carefully remove drape, dispose rolled drape(s) in biohazard waste.

D. Roll drape with used instruments and supplies; remove drape(s); insert drains; bandage patient.

C. Bandage, remove sharps, carefully remove drape, dispose rolled drape(s) in biohazard waste.

These instruments are used in orthopedic cases except which one?

A. Power drill

B. Keratome

C. Rongeur

D. Mallet

B. Keratome

What detail should the surgical tech verify with the surgeon and the circulating nurse while preparing to set up for an abdominal hernia case?

A. Verify that the correct mesh is in the operating room for the herniorrhaphy.

B. The type of staples needed to fasten the mesh to the outside of the patient's skin.

C. The patient's age, since it will affect the likelihood of their immune system rejecting the mesh.

D. If the room temperature will need to be adjusted to prevent patient hypothermia from exposed viscera.

A. Verify that the correct mesh is in the operating room for the herniorrhaphy.

What is the usual order to wipe down surfaces when cleaning the OR after a case?

A. Lights, OR table, surfaces, floors

B. Surfaces, floors, OR table, lights

C. Floors, OR table, lights, surfaces

D. OR table, lights, surfaces, floors

A. Lights, OR table, surfaces, floors

Which of the following steps are essential for correctly assembling instruments intraoperatively?

A. Ensuring instruments are labeled with patient identifiers.

B. Storing instruments in their pack until immediately before use.

C. Sterilizing instruments with alcohol wipes before assembly.

D. Aligning instrument tips and locking mechanisms correctly.

D. Aligning instrument tips and locking mechanisms correctly.

Which step is incorrect in the process of handling dirty instruments after surgery?

A. Taking apart instruments that were assembled before the procedure.

B. Covering the dirty instruments and taking them (in the pan) to decontamination.

C. Washing and sterilizing the instruments in the operating room.

D. Spraying a disinfectant on the dirty instruments to help breakdown bioburden.

C. Washing and sterilizing the instruments in the operating room.

What gland regulates the amount of calcium in the blood, removing it from storage in the bones when calcium levels are too high, and stimulating absorption in the intestines when the levels are too low?

A. Parathyroid gland

B. Pineal gland

C. Adrenal gland

D. Thymus gland

A. Parathyroid gland

Approximately 80% of geriatric patients present to surgery with which of the following?

A. immunocompromised

B. comorbidities

C. obese

D. diabetes

B. comorbidities

The examples below are considered countable sharps, except which one?

A. Suture needles

B. Hypodermic needles

C. Kirschner wires

D. Scalpel blades

C. Kirschner wires

Relative humidity in the OR should be maintained at which percentage range?

A. 10 - 40%

B. 20 - 60%

C. 40 - 80%

D. 60 - 100%

A. 10 - 40%

During a procedure the surgeon asked for a refill of the 10cc syringe with local anesthetic. The syringe was refilled 3 times during the procedure, but there was 5cc left in the syringe at the end of the case. What was the total amount of local anesthetic used during this procedure?

A. 30cc

B. 15cc

C. 25cc

D. 35cc

D. 35cc

What must be periodically used to irrigate the eye to prevent corneal drying (using a syringe or small squeeze bottle).

A. Lactated Ringers Solution

B. Balanced salt solution

C. Chlorhexidine

D. Viscoelastic agent

B. Balanced Salt Solution

Who is responsible for accurately labeling a specimen obtained during a surgical procedure?

A. Circulating nurse and first assistant

B. Anesthesiologist and first assistant

C. Scrub tech and circulating nurse

D. Surgeon and anesthesiologist

C. Scrub tech and circulating nurse

Which type of steam sterilization, formerly referred to as "flash" sterilization, is the process of sterilizing unwrapped items, such as instruments that have been dropped during a surgical procedure?

A. Dynamic Air Removal

B. Flush-Pressure-Pulse

C. Gravity Displacement

D. Immediate-Use

A. Dynamic Air Removal

Which of the following statements accurately describes CDC precautions to avoid contact transmission?

A. CDC precautions are mainly focused on environmental cleaning, while precautions for contact transmission includes mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers.

B. CDC precautions encompass hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), while precautions for contact transmission may include gloves and gowns.

C. CDC precautions are specific to airborne diseases, while precautions for contact transmission are managed with antiviral and antibacterial medications.

D. CDC precautions involve the exclusive use of masks and goggles, while precautions for contact transmission include patient isolation in negative pressure rooms.

B. CDC precautions encompass hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), while precautions for contact transmission may include gloves and gowns.

Which of the following correctly describes how a surgical tech can assist the surgeon or orthopedic specialist while they are applying a brace?

A. Assisting by handing necessary bandaging, padding, brace, and tools, and helping fasten and secure straps or buckles.

B. Administering anesthesia to the patient before brace application.

C. Communicating with the physical therapy department for post-operative rehabilitation.

D. Documenting the fit and placement of the brace in the patient's medical record.

A.Assisting by handing necessary bandaging, padding, brace, and tools, and helping fasten and secure straps or buckles.

These are policies that must be strictly followed for every surgical specimen, except which one?

A. Place a biohazard label sticker on the specimen container before transporting.

B. Place the patient identification label on the lid for easy viewing in the laboratory.

C. Place specimens in leak-proof containers inside an impervious bag for transport.

D. Place the orders and documentation in the pouch of the biohazard bag for transport.

A. Place a biohazard label sticker on the specimen container before transporting.

The surgeon requests a patient to be placed in the lithotomy position for the surgical procedure. Which of the following positioning devices must be prepared?

A. Chest roll

B. Bean bags

C. Leg stirrups

D. Axillary rolls

C. Leg stirrups

How can a surgical tech anticipate intraoperative assistance to the surgeon with suctioning and irrigating?

A. Monitor the patient's vital signs closely by manually checking their blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, along with their temperature.

B. Pour one liter of sterile saline solution into the incision before suctioning each time when the surgeon requests irrigation to cleanse the surgical site.

C. Ensure adequate lighting in the operating room by holding a sterile flashlight when the surgeon needs additional illumination to perform suctioning.

D. Have the suction device appropriately close by on the sterile field and be attentive to when the suctioning is necessary to clear the surgical field for better visual.

D. Have the suction device appropriately close by on the sterile field and be attentive to when the suctioning is necessary to clear the surgical field for better visual.

A patient safety event that is serious, undesirable, and unanticipated, but does not reach the level of a sentinel event is known by which term?

A. Bad outcome

B. Certifiable

C. Distraction

D. Adverse event

D. Adverse event

Is the back of the wrap-around style surgical gown considered sterile?

A. No, the circulator touches the back of the gown when they secure it.

B. No, since the back of the gown cannot be seen by the tech it is considered unsterile.

C. Yes, as long as the tech is confident that nothing unsterile has come in contact with the back of the gown.

D. Yes, the gown and the gowning procedure are designed so that the entirety of the gown can remain sterile throughout the case.

B. No, since the back of the gown cannot be seen by the tech it is considered unsterile.

Which of the following drapes is non-fenestrated?

A. Craniotomy

B. Laparotomy

C. U-drape

D. Transverse

C. U-drape

During a surgical procedure, what does it typically mean when a surgeon tells you to "follow me" while he/she is suturing?

A. Document the procedure step-by-step.

B. Physically move to a different location in the operating room.

C. Assist in handing instruments and retractors.

D. Assist in managing the suture to ensure it doesn't obstruct the surgical field.

D. Assist in managing the suture to ensure it doesn't obstruct the surgical field.

According to The Joint Commission, what is required regarding medications and solutions during breaks or shift changes in surgical settings?

A. Medications used must be logged electronically to ensure accuracy.

B. Medications and solutions must be stored in a designated area during breaks.

C. Medications and solutions must be physically counted and reconciled every 10 minutes of the case.

D. Entering and exiting staff must review all medications and their labels for patient records and legal safety.

D. Entering and exiting staff must review all medications and their labels for patient records and legal safety.

While setting up for an ophthalmic case to remove a cataract when the surgical tech accidentally gouges him/herself in the knuckle with the keratome. The surgical tech knows the small blade penetrated their glove, but it doesn't appear to be bleeding. What is the correct action they should take?

A. Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have another tech scrub the case with a new keratome while you and the circulator make an incident report.

B. Swap your glove and the keratome, submit an incident report if the wound becomes infected within two days.

C. Continue with the case without the keratome, submit an incident report about the injury at the end of the day.

D. Get rid of the contaminated keratome and have the nurse open another one, and continue on with the case since no one else was injured.

A. Scrub out and assess the injury. If possible have another tech scrub the case with a new keratome while you and the circulator make an incident report.

During a bowel surgery, which approach should be followed to maintain instrument separation between clean and potentially contaminated portions of the procedure?

A. Assign different scrub nurses to handle clean and contaminated instruments respectively.

B. Use magnetic separators on the sterile field to physically separate clean and contaminated instruments.

C. Place instruments for the clean portion of the surgery on one side of the sterile field and those for the potentially contaminated portion on the opposite side.

D. Use different colored instrument trays to visually differentiate between clean and contaminated instruments.

c. Place instruments for the clean portion of the surgery on one side of the sterile field and those for the potentially contaminated portion on the opposite side.

Which instruments are specifically required for an open procedure compared to a laparoscopic surgery?

A. Open: Speculum, dilators. Laparoscopic: Bovie pencil, suture needles.

B. Open: scalpel, retractors. Laparoscopic: trocars, laparoscope.

C. Open: Endoscope, sutures. Laparoscopic: Gauze, forceps.

D. Open: Harmonic scalpel, insufflator. Laparoscopic: Hemostatic forceps, Resectoscope.

B. Open: scalpel, retractors. Laparoscopic: trocars, laparoscope.

Where should the surgical tech place the needle when loading the suture?

A. 1/4 the distance from the swaged edge.

B. 1/3 the distance from the swaged edge

C. On the area of the needle that the swaged end attaches to the thread

D. 1/2 the distance from the swaged edge.

B. 1/3 the distance from the swaged edge

The process of a complete room turnover between surgeries in an operating room includes these steps, except which one?

A. Place all non-disposable linens in the appropriate bag for laundering.

B. Thoroughly wiping down the walls, door, and ceiling.

C. After the surface is dry from cleaning, make the surgical bed to ready it for the next patient.

D. Disposal of waste and contaminated disposable items.

B. Thoroughly wiping down the walls, door, and ceiling.

Which age group is most prone to hypothermia and complications from hypothermia during surgery?

A. Geriatric patients ages 65+

B. Adults between ages 18 - 50

C. Teenagers

D. Infants

D. Infants

When should surgical counts typically be performed in collaboration with the circulating nurse for a surgical procedure?

A. After the anesthesiologist leaves the OR.

B. Before the surgical incision is made.

C. Before the patient leaves the recovery room.

D. After the patient arrives in recovery.

B