Certified Surgical Technologist Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Certified Surgical Technologist facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What sort of physical characteristics should a polycythemia patient with surgery present have? → A ruddy-blue appearance in the face, hands and feet
2. The Bowie-Dick test is performed to verify that a sterilizer: → Is free of air pockets that impede steam penetration
3. Which of the following is utilized by the surgeon during a TURP to periodically remove prostatic tissue fragments? → ellik evacuator
4. What is the medical term for the situation where a bowel loop herniates into Douglas's cul-de-sac? → enterocele
5. Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive instruments such as fiber-optic scopes? → Ethylene oxide (EO) gas
6. What three elements does the surgical 'time-out' verify before incision? → Patient identity, correct site, and correct procedure
7. When setting up or operating a laser unit for surgery, which of the following steps does the nurse need to take into account? → Move laser equipment with caution to prevent hitting things or injuring internal parts.
8. Which sterilization method uses peracetic acid and is suitable for immersible, heat-sensitive instruments in a liquid cycle? → STERIS System 1E (peracetic acid)
9. Which suture needle point is most appropriate for suturing delicate vascular tissue? → Taper needle
10. The C-arm fluoroscope is used intraoperatively primarily to: → Provide real-time X-ray imaging during the procedure
11. Chromic gut suture differs from plain gut suture in that it: → Has been treated with chromium salts to extend absorption time
12. Which nerve is at risk during a total hip arthroplasty due to its proximity to the posterior hip capsule? → Sciatic nerve
13. Which suture material is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to bovine or ovine collagen products? → Plain or chromic gut
14. Which dilator from the list below is used in the common duct? → bakes
15. During an open appendectomy, which incision is most commonly used? → McBurney's incision
16. A patient scheduled for surgery is identified as NPO. This means the patient should: → Have nothing by mouth for the specified period before surgery
17. The purpose of the time-out procedure before surgery is to: → Verify patient identity, procedure, site, and confirm all team members are ready
18. Which topical hemostatic agent derived from bovine thrombin combined with gelatin is commonly applied to surgical sites to control bleeding? → Floseal
19. What is the minimum recommended distance a non-sterile person should maintain from a sterile field? → 18 inches
20. The term used to describe anesthesia that combines an inhalation drug, a narcotic, a hypnotic-sedative, and a muscle relaxant is: → Balanced anesthesia
21. Surgical site marking should be performed by: → The operating surgeon before the procedure
22. A patient undergoing cardiac surgery requires placement of a Foley catheter. When should this catheter ideally be inserted? → After the patient is intubated and positioned on the OR table
23. Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action in emergency situations? → Intravenous (IV)
24. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is best prevented in the OR through: → Contact precautions and strict hand hygiene
25. Which organ is retroperitoneal and is therefore NOT covered by visceral peritoneum on all sides? → Pancreas (body and tail)
26. The primary purpose of maintaining normothermia (normal body temperature) during surgery is to: → Prevent coagulopathy, surgical site infection, and cardiac events
27. A patient in the Trendelenburg position has their head: → Lower than the level of the feet
28. During a prostatectomy, which nerve bundles running posterolateral to the prostate must be preserved to maintain erectile function? → Neurovascular bundles of Walsh
29. The celiac trunk is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta and supplies blood to which organs? → Stomach, liver, and spleen
30. What type of surgery is used to treat a condition where the urethral meatus is located on the upper surface of the penis? → epispadias repair