NBSTSA practice test A 2022/2023
During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix is perforated, and contents begin spilling into the abdomen. Which of
... [Show More] the following should the surgical technologist anticipate as the NEXT step? - Answer Suction the fluid from the abdomen.
A carotid endarterectomy has just been finished and the dressing is on. The surgical technologist begins removing all sharps and non-disposables from the drapes before pushing everything back. According to best practice, which of the following should be the NEXT step? - Answer Push the back table, mayo, and basin back and keep sterile until the patient is transported to PACU.
Which of the following should be prepared for a mastoid dressing? - Answer Several fluffed sponges and rolled gauze
Which of the following is the FIRST step in applying the pneumatic tourniquet? - Answer Padding the limb where the tourniquet is to be wrapped with Webril
When performing a dilation and curettage, which of the following instruments is used to grasp the cervix? - Answer Schroeder
How many lobes do the right and left lungs have, respectively? - Answer Three, two
When a break in aseptic technique occurs, the surgical technologist should FIRST notify the - Answer Contaminating team member
Which of the following pathological conditions may be caused by an excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain? - Answer Hydrocephalus
If unexpected heavy blood loss occurs during an abdominal procedure, a surgical technologist should request additional - Answer Lap sponges
Growth in the length of a long bone occurs at the - Answer Epiphyseal plate
In which of the following situations can a DNR order be continued in an unconscious patient for a surgical procedure? - Answer The patient's durable POA requests it be continued.
A surgeon asks for warm irrigation after a right hemicolectomy. Which of the following BEST describes the reason for irrigating at this point in the procedure? - Answer To aid in visual inspection for leakage
The rate per hour in air exchanges in a standard OR suite is - Answer 15-25.
If there is any question related to handling a specific type of specimen, which of the following departments should be consulted? - Answer Pathology
A patient's dentures are removed in the operating room. Which of the following is the proper procedure for the care of the dentures? - Answer Place them in a labeled cup and keep them with the patient's chart.
A patient is scheduled for laser removal of condyloma acuminata. As a safety precaution, the surgical technologist should have which of the following special equipment open and available? - Answer Smoke evacuator
Apart from trauma cases, which of the following incisions would be BEST for sigmoid surgery? - Answer Vertical paramedian
The kidneys help regulate the blood levels of several ions, including - Answer Sodium, potassium, and calcium
Which of the following is the MOST effective mechanical method of controlling bleeding occurring from needle holes in vessel anatomoses? - Answer Pledget
Which of the following tags indicates the least critical of patients in a triage situation? - Answer Green
During a craniotomy, removal of the bone flap is followed by - Answer Incision of the dura mater.
After gowning and gloving, a surgeon activates the DuraPrep applicator and performs the initial skin prep for surgery. Which of the following is the BEST action to take at this time? - Answer Regown and reglove the surgeon.
A specimen obtained for frozen section is generally removed from the sterile field intraoperatively because it - Answer is sent to pathology immediately
A surgeon is preparing to close the abdomen. Which of the following closing supplies should the surgical technologist have ready for closing the fascial layer? - Answer 0 suture and toothed tissue forceps
During a procedure, a hole is noticed in the surgical technologist's glove. What should the surgical technologist do NEXT? - Answer Change the glove using the open-gloving technique.
Which of the following instruments should be included in a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) setup? - Answer Resectoscope
Which of the following terms describes airway assessment by listening with a stethoscope? - Answer Auscultation
Which of the following techniques promotes safety and protection of the surgical technologist during the intraoperative phase? - Answer Establishing a neutral zone
Which of the following verifies that autoclave sterilization has occurred? - Answer Biological indicator
Which of the following instruments is used in otorhinolaryngology surgery? - Answer Baron
An organization that regulates the production of biological sterilization test packs in-house is - Answer AAMI
For an open hemicolectomy, a surgical technologist is preparing a second mayo stand for the placement of dirty surgical instruments. Which of the following instruments is MOST likely to be placed on the second mayo stand? - Answer Allis forceps
When loading items in a gravity-displaced steam sterilizer, heavy packs should be placed - Answer At the periphery of the load.
A liver laceration is identified during an emergency exploratory laparotomy. A surgical technologist should prepare a suture attached to which of the following types of needles? - Answer Blunt
Which of the following instruments is used to thread a vascular graft from one incision to another? - Answer Tunneler
Which of the following combination of medications are commonly used during a MAC? - Answer Nerve conduction blockades with supplemental analgesics, sedatives, or amnesics
Which of the following items must the surgical technologist have available after a thyroidectomy? - Answer Scalpel, hemostatic clamps, and tracheostomy tube.
Which of the following is the name of the avascular strip of tissue at the midline which runs from the xiphoid process to the pubis? - Answer Linea alba
A three-way Foley catheter is inserted following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in order to - Answer Irrigate and aid in hemostasis.
A patient is in the supine position for a procedure. After the arms are placed on arm boards, padding is placed under the elbows to decrease pressure on which of the following nerves? - Answer Ulnar
Which of the following supplies should be pulled by the surgical technologist for a thoracic procedure? - Answer Water-sealed drainage system
The FIRST sign of malignant hyperthermia is - Answer Unexplained tachycardia.
Prior to the closure of an arteriotomy, which of the following solutions should the surgical technologist have ready for irrigation of the operative site? - Answer Heparinized saline
Herniation of the rectum through a weakened posterior vaginal wall is known as - Answer A rectocele
If a surgeon requests Gelfoam soaked with thrombin, the method to maintain hemostasis is - Answer Chemical.
Immediately before a hemorrhoidectomy, which of the following procedures might be performed on the patient in the OR? - Answer Proctoscopy
During which of the following phases of infection do pathogens actively replicate, but the host shows no symptoms? - Answer Incubation
Which of the following conditions should be treated FIRST? - Answer Obstructed airway
During a partial nephrectomy, the surgeon asks for a large chromic suture and Gelfoam. The surgeon would like the Gelfoam to be cut into pledget squares and loaded onto the suture. The MAIN purpose for the use of the Gelfoam and suture is to - Answer Topically stop bleeding.
Which of the following is a tonsillolith? - Answer A stone within the tonsil
Which of the following should be the MINIMUM exposure time in an immediate use sterilizer for unwrapped instruments? - Answer 3 minutes
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) is gathering supplies to initiate a Bier block for the surgical patient. Which of the following items does the surgical technologist give to the ACP to assist in displacing the blood? - Answer Esmarch bandage
Which of the following hormones regulates urine concentration based on reabsorption? - Answer ADH
A surgeon has just completed an incisional biopsy and would like to have an immediate diagnosis. The MOST appropriate NEXT step is to send the specimen to pathology in a - Answer Dry specimen container so that a frozen section can be completed.
In the break room, a precepting surgical technologist is overheard discussing a student's lack of instrument knowledge. The precepting surgical technologist just committed - Answer Slander.
Which of the following must be done before sterilizing an instrument with a lumen? - Answer Inject a small amount of distilled water into the lumen.
Which of the following should occur after a Veress needle is inserted? - Answer Connect the insufflation tubing.
Prions are unique from other infectious agents because they lack which of the following? - Answer DNA [Show Less]