Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test 1 (AST Exam #1)

1. formalin
2. skeletal
3. larynx
4. flat

Q92. What incision is also known as a lower oblique?

1. inguinal
2. pfannenstiel
3. mitochondria
4. trauma

Q93. How often should surgical masks be changed?

1. after each case
2. Ampulla of Vater
3. time, shielding, distance
4. 10 minutes

Q94. To which portion of the colon is the appendix attached?

1. vomer
2. laser
3. Argon
4. cecum

Q95. Which of the following may require probing and dilating in pediatric patients with upper respiratory infections?

1. notify surgeon
2. surgically clean
3. Escherichia coli
4. nasolacrimal duct

Q96.  The organ that is connected by a duct to the duodenum is the?

1. flat
2. pancreas
3. cystocele
4. cerebellum

Q97. What is the surgical position commonly used for thyroid and gallbladder surgery?

1. endotracheal intubation
2. anesthesia provider
3. reverse trendelenburg
4. surgically clean

Q98. What is the position most commonly used for mitral valve replacement?

1. supine
2. cystocele
3. acute
4. pterygium

Q99. Syndactyl refers to?

1. webbed fingers
2. surgically clean
3. clostridium tetani
4. pulmonary embolism

Q100. What is the minimum number of minutes to sterilize unwrapped metal instruments with lumens in the gravity displacement sterilizer at 270 degrees F?

1. U drape
2. incident report
3. 10 minutes
4. Hallux valgus

Q101. What is another name for the electrosurgical unit’s patient return electrode?

1. Escherichia coli
2. grounding pad
3. Hallux valgus
4. incident report

Q102. The space between the vocal cords is called the?

1. glottis
2. pfannenstiel
3. adaptic
4. potassium

Q103. Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to remove a patient’s identification bracelet?

1. res ipsa loquitor (thing speaks for its self)
2. patient marks with an “X” and witness verifies
3. never until patient is discharged from facility
4. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest

Q104. What is the first step taken for an incorrect sponge count?

1. surgically clean
2. incident report
3. lukewarm water
4. notify surgeon

Q105. Which bacteria could be found in a penetrating wound caused by a rusty nail?

1. cottingham punch
2. clostridium tetani
3. artificial active
4. incident report

Q106. Which of the following terms means a prolapsed bladder causing a bulge in the anterior vaginal wall?

1. cystocele
2. trauma
3. Argon
4. parasitism

Q107. When using the warm cycle of the EtO sterilizer what is the minimum sterilization temperature in Fahrenheit?,

1. 85
2. 24
3. 10
4. acute

Q108. Which of the following is a commonly used preservative for tissue specimens?

1. adaptic
2. love
3. formalin
4. latrogenic

Q109. Which of the following tissues are cut using curved Mayo scissors?

1. subluxation
2. fascia
3. acute
4. pterygium

Q110. Which of the following identifiers must be verified by the patient or their ID bracelet prior to transporting a patient to the OR?

1. 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes)
2. name, date of birth, physician
3. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
4. feet first, side rails up

Q111. Medication used to dilate the pupil is called?

1. mydriatics
2. direct
3. sprilli
4. vomer

Q112. What size of Foley catheter is commonly used for adults?

1. 16 Fr
2. vomer
3. laser
4. Argon

Q113. Which of the following terms describes a hernia that occurs within Hesselbach’s triangle?

1. direct
2. adaptic
3. Depo-Medrol
4. flat

Q114. What postoperative complication is associated with total hip arthroplasty?

1. pulmonary embolism
2. artificial active
3. cottingham punch
4. endotracheal intubation

Q115. Which of the following is a mechanical method of hemostasis?

1. mitochondria
2. third
3. ligature
4. Argon

Q116. What position is most commonly used for neurosurgical procedures?

1. cerebellum
2. pressure
3. supine
4. inner

Q117. Which of the following is a nonadherent dressing?

1. penrose
2. love
3. vomer
4. adaptic

Q118. A properly performed surgical scrub renders the skin?

1. lukewarm water
2. surgically clean
3. Hallux valgus
4. anesthesia provider

Q119. The fibrous white layer that gives the eye its shape is the?

1. pharynx
2. inner
3. sclera
4. heparin

Q120. The cartilaginous nasal septum is anterior to which bone?

1. third
2. laser
3. inner
4. vomer

Q121. Which of the following monitors provides positive assurance of sterility?

1. laser
2. Argon
3. inner
4. biological

Q122. When would the anesthesia provider request cricoid pressure?

1. endotracheal intubation
2. anesthesia provider
3. bacillus stearothermophilus
4. clostridium perfringens

Q123. How many hours must the steam sterilization biological indicator incubate?

1. 24
2. 85
3. sprilli
4. 10

Q124. A brain tumor causing alteration of muscle tone voluntary muscle coordination, gait and balance would likely be located in the?

1. sprilli
2. subluxation
3. pressure
4. cerebellum

Q125. Which of the following is a type of passive drain?

1. potassium
2. penrose
3. inner
4. flat

Q126. The agent used to flush an artery to prevent clotting is?

1. backtable
2. subluxation
3. love
4. heparin

Q127. What condition is characterized by build up of fatty deposits such as cholesterol?

1. Depo-Medrol
2. alpha-chymotrypsin
3. parasitism
4. atherosclerosis

Q128. Which organelle is responsible for the production of energy?

1. pressure
2. pharynx
3. pfannenstiel
4. mitochondria

Q129. What is the medical term for a bunion?

1. incident report
2. Hallux valgus
3. lukewarm water
4. cottingham punch

Q130. A topical steroid used to reduce inflammation after eye surgery is?

1. pfannenstiel
2. bacillus
3. pressure
4. Depo-Medrol

Q131. Plaster rolls for casting should be submerged in which of the following?

1. lukewarm water
2. anesthesia provider
3. incident report
4. Escherichia coli

Q132. Which legal principle applies when the patient is given the wrong dose of the local anesthetic?

1. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
2. cottingham punch
3. res ipsa loquitor (thing speaks for its self)
4. patient marks with an “X” and witness verifies

Q133. How many hours must an item submerse in glutaraldehyde to sterilize?

1. 24
2. 85
3. pharynx
4. 10

Q134. What is the definition of otosclerosis?

1. clostridium perfringens
2. feet first, side rails up
3. bony overgrowth of stapes
4. bacillus stearothermophilus

Q135. Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?

1. Escherichia coli
2. cottingham punch
3. artificial active
4. anesthesia provider

Q136. Which thermal method of hemostasis utilizes intense focused light?,

1. Argon
2. acute
3. laser
4. inner

Q137. What type of anesthesia is a combination of inhalation and intravenous drugs?

1. Argon
2. latrogenic
3. third
4. balanced

Q138. Which of the following drapes is non fenestrated?

1. artificial active
2. anesthesia provider
3. cottingham punch
4. U drape

Q139. Which portion of the ear is affected by Meniere’s syndrome?

1. Argon
2. inner
3. acute
4. third

Q140. What type of disease is characterized by rapid onset and a rapid recovery?

1. laser
2. third
3. acute
4. Argon

Q141. Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of?

1. backtable
2. third
3. potassium
4. pressure

Q142. The most reliable method for determining the efficiency of moist heat sterilizers is the controlled use of biological indicators containing the organism?

1. clostridium perfringens
2. incident report
3. artificial active
4. bacillus stearothermophilus

Q143. How is the surgical informed consent signed if an adult patient is illiterate?

1. bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries, uterus
2. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
3. artificial active
4. patient marks with an “X” and witness verifies

Q144. The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is?

1. alpha-chymotrypsin
2. hydrocelectomy
3. pfannenstiel
4. sprilli

Q145.The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the?

1. love
2. backtable
3. skeletal
4. pterygium

Q146. A partially dislocated joint is called?

1. transverse
2. latrogenic
3. pharynx
4. subluxation

Q147. When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart they should be positioned?,

1. flat
2. love
3. pressure
4. 4

Q148. What is the recommended maximum time limit for a tourniquet to remain inflated on an adult lower extremity?

1. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
2. feet first, side rails up
3. clostridium perfringens
4. 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes)

Q149. What is the burn degree classification that involves the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue?

1. cecum
2. argon
3. Argon
4. third

Q150. Which of the following retractors is used for spinal nerve roots?

1. flat
2. love
3. pressure
4. Argon

Q151. What is the medical term for removal of the uterus?

1. pressure
2. hysterectomy
3. skeletal
4. pharynx

Q152. Which of the following is a curved transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently used in gynecological surgery?

1. sprilli
2. pfannenstiel
3. circulator
4. pressure

Q153. What are spiral shaped bacteria called?

1. pressure
2. sprilli
3. Argon
4. latrogenic

Q154. Through which of the following do the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty?

1. Ampulla of Vater
2. artificial active
3. time, shielding, distance
4. hydrocelectomy

Q155. What is the name of the procedure for the excision of the tunica vaginalis?

1. hydrocelectomy
2. transverse
3. pterygium
4. circulator

Q156. What is the required minimum number of individuals to transfer an incapacitated patient from the OR table to the stretcher?

1. trauma
2. 4
3. pressure
4. Argon

Q157. Which of these conditions is characterized by a fleshy encroachment of conjunctiva onto the cornea?

1. pterygium
2. Argon
3. trauma
4. latrogenic

Q158. An injury a patient sustains as a result of the care given by a healthcare professional is called?

1. pharynx
2. trauma
3. Argon
4. latrogenic

Q159. Which of these instruments would be used during a keratoplasty?

1. cottingham punch
2. artificial active
3. incident report
4. anesthesia provider

Q160. Which structure has oral nasal, and laryngeal divisions?,

1. pharynx
2. skeletal
3. transverse
4. Argon

Q161. What direction should the stretcher be oriented when transporting a patient to the OR department?

1. time, shielding, distance
2. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest
3. clostridium perfringens
4. feet first, side rails u

Q162. The most common cause of retinal detachment is?

1. trauma
2. Argon
3. transverse
4. skeletal

Q163. What is the term for a relationship that benefits one organism at the expense of another?

1. circulator
2. pressure
3. parasitism
4. bacillus

Q164. Which muscle type is striated and voluntary?

• skeletal
• bacillus
• Argon
• circulator

Q165. In addition to temperature time and moisture, what is the fourth factor that determines the outcome of the steam sterilization process?

1. pressure
2. Argon
3. bacillus
4. transverse

Q166. Which organism causes gas gangrene?

1. anesthesia provider
2. clostridium perfringens
3. incident report
4. artificial active

Q167. What type of acquired immunity is a vaccination?

1. Argon
2. anesthesia provider
3. incident report
4. artificial active

Q168. What type of drape would be used for a flank procedure?

• bacillus
• transverse
• Argon
• circulator

Q169. Chest rolls should span the distance bilaterally between which two anatomical structures?

1. Argon
2. circulator
3. time, shielding, distance
4. acromioclavicular joint to iliac crest

Q170. What are the three factors for reducing ionizing radiation exposure?

1. incident report
2. circulator
3. patent ductus arteriosus
4. time, shielding, distance

Q171. Which laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them?

1. coude
2. 55-60
3. third
4. Argon

Q172. Which of the following is a non sterile member of the surgical team?

1. Myomectomy
2. incident report
3. circulator
4. bacillus

Q173. Which term describes a rod shaped microorganism?

1. commensalism
2. ethmoid
3. bacillus
4. incus

Q174. Which surgical team member determines when the patient can be transported from the OR to the PACU?

1. incident report
2. anesthesia provider
3. pulmonary embolism
4. lukewarm water

Q175. 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?

1. notify surgeon
2. arthropod bites
3. incident report
4. nasolacrimal duct

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