Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Test
Build your confidence for Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist exam covering surgical procedures, sterile technique, instrumentation, and patient safety. Administered by NBSTSA. Key domains include Ancillary Duties, Basic Science and Perioperative Care. The exam consists of 175 questions over 240 minutes.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
After an exploratory laparotomy, contaminated sharps remain in a magnetic pad and the kick bucket contains bloody sponges. The patient has left the room and turnover is beginning. Which action is correct for the technologist's postoperative cleanup role?
For a combined vaginal and abdominal procedure, the surgeon requests a secondary Mayo stand for the vaginal portion. The main back table is already set for abdominal closure. What is the best reason to create the second sterile setup?
During a ruptured ectopic pregnancy case, blood splashes onto the technologist's face shield and gown while suction is being exchanged. The sterile gloves remain intact. What is the correct intraoperative principle?
An implant case follows a patient with draining MRSA wound debridement. The room has been cleaned, but the same uncleaned positioning gel pad is still on the table. Which infection-control concept applies?
A tray returns from a bowel case with instruments covered in thick debris. A staff member suggests soaking them overnight in saline because the enzymatic solution dispenser is empty. What should the technologist know?
Exam insights and study advice
Earning the CST credential is not merely an academic exercise; it is a direct indicator of a practitioner's readiness to protect patient safety in a high-stakes environment. Certified technologists are statistically linked to reduced rates of surgical site infections and procedural errors. This certification validates your ability to anticipate surgeon needs, maintain a sterile field, and handle critical instruments and specimens correctly, which are all non-negotiable components of positive surgical outcomes. For employers, the CST credential provides assurance of a standardized knowledge base, making it a critical benchmark for hiring and privileging in hospitals and surgical centers.
What this exam covers
01Ancillary Duties
This domain focuses on ancillary duties required in the modern surgical environment, equipment handling, instrument management, and adherence to established healthcare facility safety protocols to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.
02Basic Science
This domain examines basic science principles that are directly relevant to surgical technology, human anatomy, medical terminology, microbiology, and sterile processing standards required for safe patient care in clinical settings.
03Perioperative Care
This domain covers perioperative care duties, clinical responsibilities, and patient management practices performed by surgical technologists during various invasive surgical procedures within the operating room environment to ensure high standards.