TL;DR
Study drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications of commonly used medications. Pharmacology knowledge is essential for safe medication administration and heavily tested.
Free Surgical Pharmacology Practice Questions
CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) · Basic Science
This module covers Surgical Pharmacology as part of the Basic Science section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | CST Certified Surgical Technologist (NBSTSA) |
| Pass Rate | 72% |
| Duration | 240 minutes |
| Module | Surgical Pharmacology |
Why Surgical Pharmacology matters
Surgical Pharmacology is one of the most tested areas because medication errors are among the most preventable causes of patient harm.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. The surgeon requests local anesthesia with epinephrine for a procedure on the finger. The surgical technologist should be aware that:
- Epinephrine is routinely used in all areas of the body without restriction
- Epinephrine should generally be avoided in end-arterial areas (fingers, toes, nose, ears, and penis) due to the risk of vasoconstriction causing ischemia and tissue necrosis
- Epinephrine is only used for cardiac emergencies, not with local anesthetics
- Epinephrine dilates blood vessels to improve drug absorption at the injection site
2. Which of the following is the MOST commonly used intravenous induction agent for general anesthesia?
- Ketamine
- Propofol
- Sevoflurane
- Succinylcholine
3. A patient develops masseter muscle rigidity and a rapidly rising end-tidal CO2 immediately after receiving succinylcholine for rapid sequence intubation. The anesthesiologist suspects malignant hyperthermia. Which of the following actions should the surgical technologist anticipate?
- Prepare neostigmine for reversal of the succinylcholine
- Continue the case with increased volatile anesthetic concentration to relax the muscles
- Prepare dantrolene sodium 2.5 mg/kg IV while the team discontinues all volatile agents and cools the patient
- Administer additional succinylcholine to overcome the masseter spasm
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Start practicing free →4. Bupivacaine (Marcaine) differs from lidocaine primarily in that bupivacaine:
- Has a faster onset but shorter duration of action
- Has a slower onset but significantly longer duration of action (up to 8 hours vs. 1-2 hours for lidocaine)
- Cannot be used with epinephrine
- Is only available in topical formulations
5. During a general anesthetic with succinylcholine and sevoflurane, the anesthesiologist notices rapidly rising end-tidal CO2, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and rising body temperature. This presentation is MOST consistent with:
- Anaphylactic reaction to latex
- Malignant hyperthermia, which requires immediate administration of dantrolene sodium and cessation of all triggering agents
- Normal response to surgical stimulation under light anesthesia
- Thyroid storm requiring propranolol and potassium iodide
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