Course Outline

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Course Outline ← You Are Here

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About the Exam — Structure, scoring, eligibility, and fees 

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Your Study Plan — How to use this course to maximize your score

Module 1 — Introduction to Surgical Technology

Foundation and orientation · Not scored directly but informs every domain

1.1

Overview of the CST Exam — Blueprint, domains, and passing strategy

1.2

The Surgical Technology Profession — Role, team structure, and scope of practice

1.3

Exam Preparation Tools — Evidence-based study strategies and resources

Module 2 — Basic Sciences for Surgical Technologists

NBSTSA Domain III · 30 scored items · 20% of exam

2.1

Anatomy and Physiology Part 1 — Surgical systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, GU

2.2

Microbiology — Pathogen classification, infection control, wound classification, SSI

2.3

Surgical Pharmacology — Anesthetic agents, hemostatics, antibiotics, solutions, dosage

2.4

Anatomy and Physiology Part 2 — Musculoskeletal, neurological, reproductive, integumentary

Module 3 — OR Environment and Preparation

NBSTSA Domain I-A · Preoperative Preparation · 19 scored items · 12.7% of exam

3.1

Operating Room Setup — Environmental controls, package inspection, OR setup sequence

3.2

Preoperative Documentation — Informed consent, Universal Protocol, NPO, advance directives

3.3

Sterile Techniques and Asepsis — 10 principles, surgical conscience, scrub, gown, glove, sterile field

3.4

Surgical Patient Positioning — All 8 positions, nerve injuries, bony prominences, special populations

Module 4 — Intraoperative Procedures I: The Sterile Team

NBSTSA Domain I-B · Intraoperative Procedures · 68 scored items total · largest exam domain

4.1

Surgical Counts — Sponges, sharps, and instruments: when, how, and discrepancy protocol

4.2

Draping the Patient — Drape types, placement sequence, sterile field creation

4.3

Surgical Instruments — Classification, identification, passing techniques, care on the field

4.4

Wound Closure — Suture types, needle classification, stapling devices, drains and dressings

Module 5 — Intraoperative Procedures II: Clinical Management

NBSTSA Domain I-B continued · High-yield pharmacology, hemostasis, and emergency response

5.1

Hemostasis — Mechanical, thermal, and chemical methods; hemostatic agents; ESU use

5.2

Medications and Solutions on the Sterile Field — Local anesthetics (amide vs. ester), irrigating solutions, labeling

5.3

Surgical Emergencies — Malignant hyperthermia, anaphylaxis, air embolism, cardiac arrest in the OR

5.4

Specimen Management — Labeling, handling, chain of custody, fixatives, frozen section

Module 6 — Intraoperative Procedures III: Specialty Technology

NBSTSA Domain I-B continued · Equipment, minimally invasive surgery, and advanced techniques

6.1

Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery — Camera systems, trocar placement, insufflation, energy devices

6.2

Powered Surgical Equipment — Tourniquets, pneumatic drills, saws, lasers, CUSA, robotic systems

6.3

Implants, Grafts, and Specialty Supplies — Bone grafts, vascular grafts, mesh, implantable devices

Module 7 — Postoperative Procedures

NBSTSA Domain I-C · 10 scored items · 6.7% of exam

7.1

Immediate Postoperative Care — Breaking down the sterile field, patient transfer, PACU handoff

7.2

OR Turnover — Room cleanup, decontamination, point-of-use instrument care, restocking

7.3

Postoperative Documentation — Case debriefs, sharps disposal, specimen chain of custody, reporting

Module 8 — Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance

NBSTSA Domain II-B · 16 scored items · 10.7% of exam · heavily tested

8.1

Decontamination and Instrument Cleaning — Enzymatic cleaners, ultrasonic, manual cleaning sequence

8.2

Steam Sterilization — Autoclave cycles, parameters, flash/IUSS sterilization, Bowie-Dick test

8.3

Low-Temperature Sterilization — EtO, hydrogen peroxide plasma, peracetic acid; heat-sensitive items

8.4

Sterilization Monitoring — Chemical vs. biological indicators, BI as gold standard, load control

Module 9 — Administrative and Ancillary Duties

NBSTSA Domain II-A · 7 scored items · Safety, ethics, legal, and OR management

9.1

OR Safety and Hazard Management — Fire triad, electrical safety, laser safety, chemical spills, radiation

9.2

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Practice — HIPAA, patient rights, scope of practice, incident reporting

9.3

Preference Cards, Cost Containment, and OR Management — Inventory, supply management, preceptorship

Module 10 — Specialty Surgical Procedures

Procedure-specific instruments, positions, and CST responsibilities across surgical specialties

10.1

General and Abdominal Surgery — Laparotomy, appendectomy, bowel resection, hernia, cholecystectomy

10.2

Orthopedic Surgery — Fracture repair, joint arthroplasty, arthroscopy, instrumentation, tourniquet use

10.3

OB/GYN and Genitourinary Surgery — Cesarean section, hysterectomy, TURP, cystoscopy, nephrectomy

10.4

Cardiovascular, Thoracic, and Neurosurgery — Bypass, craniotomy, laminectomy, vascular procedures

10.5

ENT, Ophthalmic, and Plastic Surgery — Microsurgery, delicate instrumentation, specialty setups

Module 11 — Comprehensive Exam Review and Practice

Full-domain review, timed practice questions, and exam-day strategy

11.1

High-Yield Rapid Review — Every must-know fact by domain, organized for final-week study

11.2

Domain Practice Sets — Targeted questions by NBSTSA domain with full rationale explanations

11.3

Full-Length Practice Exam — 150-question timed simulation with scoring and performance analysis