\nCST Study Guide<\/a>
\nCST Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>Eligibility<\/h2>\nTo qualify for the CST exam, you must follow one of two routes of eligibility: graduating from a surgical technology program or graduating from a military training program in surgical technology.<\/p>\n
\nRoute 1: Completion of a Surgical Technology Program<\/strong>
\nThe program you were enrolled in must have been ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited while you were enrolled. To prove eligibility, you must provide ONE of the following documents:<\/p>\n\n- A copy of your graduation certificate<\/li>\n
- Unofficial or official transcript<\/li>\n
- A notarized letter from the program director which includes your name, date of graduation, and the degree information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Route 2: Completion of a Military Training Program in Surgical Technology<\/strong>
\nEligible programs must have had CAAHEP accreditation before, during, or after your enrollment. To prove eligibility, you must submit ONE of the following documents:<\/p>\n\n- A copy of your graduation certificate<\/li>\n
- A copy of your DD214, which includes the state the program was completed<\/li>\n
- A SMART or Joint Service transcript<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>CST Exam Outline<\/h2>\nThe CST exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are unscored, and you will be given 4 hours to complete the exam.<\/p>\n
The 25 unscored questions are called “pretest” questions, and they are used to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam. You won’t know which questions are pretest questions, as they are mixed in with the scored questions throughout the exam.<\/p>\n
The exam is split into three domains.<\/p>\n
![\"exam](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/CST-Exam-Outline-01.svg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>I. Perioperative Care (91 questions)<\/h3>\nThe questions in this domain test your knowledge and skills in various aspects of the perioperative care process. There are three main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
\n- Preoperative Preparation (18 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are verify the availability of surgical equipment, perform a medical hand wash, transfer a patient to and from the operating room, and participate in Universal Protocol.<\/li>\n
- Intraoperative Procedures (61 items):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are maintain aseptic technique throughout a procedure, perform counts with the circulator at appropriate levels, monitor medication and solution use, and assist in applying casts, splints, and braces.<\/li>\n
- Postoperative Procedures (12 items):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are participate in a case debrief, dispose of contaminated waste and drapes, transfer a patient from the operating table to a stretcher, and perform room cleanup duties.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/span>II. Ancillary Duties (26 questions)<\/h3>\nThe questions in this domain test your knowledge and skills regarding various ancillary duties. There are two main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
\n- Administrative and Personnel (9 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are follow the proper cost containment processes, understand basic electricity safety principles, use interpersonal skills, and serve as a preceptor to perioperative personnel.<\/li>\n
- Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance (17 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, inspect and assemble equipment and instruments, sterilize instruments, and package equipment and instruments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/span>III. Basic Science (33 questions)<\/h3>\nThe questions in this domain test your knowledge of basic science processes and terminology. There are three main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
\n- Anatomy and Physiology (20 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are correctly use medical terminology and abbreviations, demonstrate knowledge of various anatomical systems, and identify various surgical pathologies.<\/li>\n
- Microbiology (6 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are apply surgical microbiology principles to operative practice and address factors that can influence an infectious process.<\/li>\n
- Surgical Pharmacology (7 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are apply surgical pharmacology principles to operative practice and maintain dosage awareness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Check Out Mometrix's CST Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cst.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/span>Registration<\/h2>\n
\nThe program you were enrolled in must have been ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited while you were enrolled. To prove eligibility, you must provide ONE of the following documents:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A copy of your graduation certificate<\/li>\n
- Unofficial or official transcript<\/li>\n
- A notarized letter from the program director which includes your name, date of graduation, and the degree information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Route 2: Completion of a Military Training Program in Surgical Technology<\/strong>
\nEligible programs must have had CAAHEP accreditation before, during, or after your enrollment. To prove eligibility, you must submit ONE of the following documents:<\/p>\n- \n
- A copy of your graduation certificate<\/li>\n
- A copy of your DD214, which includes the state the program was completed<\/li>\n
- A SMART or Joint Service transcript<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>CST Exam Outline<\/h2>\n
The CST exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are unscored, and you will be given 4 hours to complete the exam.<\/p>\n
The 25 unscored questions are called “pretest” questions, and they are used to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam. You won’t know which questions are pretest questions, as they are mixed in with the scored questions throughout the exam.<\/p>\n
The exam is split into three domains.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>I. Perioperative Care (91 questions)<\/h3>\n
The questions in this domain test your knowledge and skills in various aspects of the perioperative care process. There are three main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Preoperative Preparation (18 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are verify the availability of surgical equipment, perform a medical hand wash, transfer a patient to and from the operating room, and participate in Universal Protocol.<\/li>\n
- Intraoperative Procedures (61 items):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are maintain aseptic technique throughout a procedure, perform counts with the circulator at appropriate levels, monitor medication and solution use, and assist in applying casts, splints, and braces.<\/li>\n
- Postoperative Procedures (12 items):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are participate in a case debrief, dispose of contaminated waste and drapes, transfer a patient from the operating table to a stretcher, and perform room cleanup duties.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/span>II. Ancillary Duties (26 questions)<\/h3>\n
The questions in this domain test your knowledge and skills regarding various ancillary duties. There are two main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Administrative and Personnel (9 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are follow the proper cost containment processes, understand basic electricity safety principles, use interpersonal skills, and serve as a preceptor to perioperative personnel.<\/li>\n
- Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance (17 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, inspect and assemble equipment and instruments, sterilize instruments, and package equipment and instruments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/span>III. Basic Science (33 questions)<\/h3>\n
The questions in this domain test your knowledge of basic science processes and terminology. There are three main topics covered in this domain:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Anatomy and Physiology (20 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are correctly use medical terminology and abbreviations, demonstrate knowledge of various anatomical systems, and identify various surgical pathologies.<\/li>\n
- Microbiology (6 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are apply surgical microbiology principles to operative practice and address factors that can influence an infectious process.<\/li>\n
- Surgical Pharmacology (7 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are apply surgical pharmacology principles to operative practice and maintain dosage awareness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCheck Out Mometrix's CST Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/span>Registration<\/h2>\n
- Microbiology (6 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are apply surgical microbiology principles to operative practice and address factors that can influence an infectious process.<\/li>\n
- Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance (17 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, inspect and assemble equipment and instruments, sterilize instruments, and package equipment and instruments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Intraoperative Procedures (61 items):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are maintain aseptic technique throughout a procedure, perform counts with the circulator at appropriate levels, monitor medication and solution use, and assist in applying casts, splints, and braces.<\/li>\n
- Preoperative Preparation (18 questions):<\/strong> Some of the things you will be asked to do are verify the availability of surgical equipment, perform a medical hand wash, transfer a patient to and from the operating room, and participate in Universal Protocol.<\/li>\n