NBSTSA Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. The principle that sterile persons must only pass other sterile persons face-to-face or back-to-back is based on which concept? → Back of the gown is non-sterile
2. What is the minimum sterile field margin from the edge of a draped table that is considered non-sterile? → 1 inch
3. An incorrect sponge count at the end of a procedure should prompt the surgical team to: → Immediately inform the surgeon and perform a thorough wound exploration before closure
4. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis for surgical patients most commonly includes: → Sequential compression devices (SCDs) and/or anticoagulants
5. A Bookwalter retractor system is best classified as which type of retractor? → Self-retaining retractor
6. Which stapling device is used to create an anastomosis between two hollow viscera (e.g., bowel segments) in a circular, end-to-end fashion? → Circular (EEA) stapler
7. The scrub technologist's role in the final wound count is to: → Count with the circulator and verbally confirm all counts are correct before closure
8. A Weitlaner retractor is classified as what type of retractor? → Self-retaining retractor
9. During laparoscopic surgery, the standard insufflation gas used to create the pneumoperitoneum is: → Carbon dioxide (CO2)
10. Which aneurysm typically forms in the iliac and renal arteries? → abdominal aortic
11. In surgical terminology, 'anastomosis' refers to: → A surgically created connection between two hollow structures
12. Which type of anesthesia involves injection of anesthetic into the subarachnoid space? → Spinal anesthesia
13. Which one of the following constitutes a high-level disinfection technique? → 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes
14. Which phase of the surgical experience begins when the patient enters the operating room and ends when the patient is transferred to the PACU? → Intraoperative phase
15. Oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel) achieves hemostasis through which mechanism? → Lowering local pH and activating the coagulation cascade
16. Which of the following correctly describes the OR attire rule for a scrub technologist leaving and re-entering the OR suite? → A fresh scrub suit must be donned after any exit from the OR
17. A wound that is left open initially and then closed several days later after infection risk decreases is classified as: → Tertiary intention (delayed primary closure)
18. Where can you find a Baker's cyst? → popliteal fossa
19. Which reversal agent is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression in surgical patients? → Naloxone
20. Which suture material is absorbable and derived from sheep intestinal submucosa? → Plain catgut
21. Which patient positioning complication is most associated with the lithotomy position? → Compartment syndrome of the lower legs
22. The scrub technologist's primary responsibility regarding medications on the sterile field is to: → Label all medications and solutions immediately upon receiving them
23. What kind of operation would require tooth removal? → extractions
24. Which complication occurs when blood accumulates in the tissue planes of a surgical wound? → Hematoma
25. When a patient is lying flat, where should the safety strap be fastened? → over the thighs
26. Which phase of the cardiac cycle does the heart muscle receive its blood supply from the coronary arteries? → Diastole
27. Which section of the small intestine is the first? → duodenum
28. A biological indicator (BI) from a sterilization load returns a positive (failed) result. What is the required immediate action? → Quarantine all items from that load and investigate the sterilizer failure
29. What is the Kraske position's other name? → jackknife
30. When sterile gloves are donned using the closed-glove technique, the hands must remain: → Inside the gown cuffs throughout the gloving process