Surgical Tech CST Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

Question 1

Once a sterile field has been established, which area of a sterile gown is considered sterile?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The front from chest to sterile-field level and the sleeves to two inches above the elbow. A sterile gown is considered sterile only in front from the chest to the level of the sterile field and at the sleeves from two inches above the elbow to the cuff. The back and areas below the field level are not sterile.

Question 2

What is the minimum exposure time to achieve sterilization for wrapped items in a gravity-displacement steam sterilizer operating at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C)?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

30 minutes. Gravity-displacement steam sterilization at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) typically requires a 30-minute exposure for wrapped items, because air removal is slower than in a prevacuum cycle. Higher temperatures (270 degrees F) shorten the required time.

Question 3

A biological indicator used to monitor steam sterilization most commonly contains spores of which organism?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are used to test steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilization because they are highly heat-resistant. Bacillus atrophaeus spores are used for dry-heat and ethylene oxide processes.

Question 4

If a circulator observes a break in sterile technique that no one else noticed, the correct action is to:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Announce and correct the contamination immediately. Surgical conscience requires that any break in sterile technique be identified and corrected immediately, regardless of who is watching. Patient safety takes priority over convenience or embarrassment.

Question 5

Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization is most appropriate for which type of item?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Heat- and moisture-sensitive plastics and electronics. Ethylene oxide is a low-temperature chemical sterilant used for heat- and moisture-sensitive items such as plastics, electronics, and fiber-optic cables. Its drawbacks are long aeration times and toxicity.

Question 6

Items used to set up a sterile field should be opened in what sequence relative to the time of use?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

As close as possible to the time of surgery. Sterile supplies should be opened as close as possible to the time of use to minimize the chance of airborne contamination. Prolonged exposure of an open field increases the risk of contamination.

Question 7

When using the closed-gloving technique, the hands:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Remain inside the gown sleeves until the gloves are positioned. In closed gloving, the scrubbed person keeps their hands inside the gown sleeves and manipulates the gloves through the fabric, so bare skin never contacts the sterile glove exterior. This reduces contamination risk during self-gloving.

Question 8

An instrument that contacts intact mucous membranes but does not penetrate sterile tissue (e.g., a vaginal speculum) is classified under the Spaulding system as:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Semicritical. Under the Spaulding classification, semicritical items contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin and require at minimum high-level disinfection. Critical items enter sterile tissue and require sterilization.

Question 9

Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS, formerly 'flash') is acceptable when:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

A full set of backup instruments is unavailable and an item is needed urgently. IUSS is reserved for situations where an item is needed immediately and no sterile replacement is available, such as a dropped instrument with no backup. It should not be used for routine processing or, ideally, for implants.

Question 10

Which statement about the edges of a sterile drape or wrapper is correct?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

A one-inch border around the edges is considered nonsterile. A standard rule of sterile technique holds that a one-inch (about 2.5 cm) margin at the edge of a sterile drape or wrapper is considered nonsterile because it is closest to the nonsterile boundary.

Surgical Tech CST Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

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