Want to test your pharmacology knowledge before the CST exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 100-card pharmacology section of our 1040-card CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) deck, which covers CHG, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Per The Joint Commission, National Patient Safety Goals and more.
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During a tympanoplasty, the CST notes the surgeon is about to use Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) for the ear canal prep. Why must the CST intervene?
Show answer →CHG is strictly contraindicated for use in the middle ear due to its known ototoxicity, which can cause permanent sensorineural hearing loss. It is also contraindicated for the eyes (corneal damage) and neural tissue (neurotoxicity). For ear procedures, povidone-iodine (diluted/aqueous) or PCMX are the safest alternatives. NBSTSA Exam Tip: Always link CHG with the Three No's: No Eyes, No Ears (Middle/Inner), and No Brain/Spinal Cord.
Per The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals, what specific elements must be included on the label of a bowl containing 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation on the sterile field?
Show answer →Labels must include: 1. Medication/Solution name, 2. Strength/Concentration, 3. Expiration date (if NOT used within 24 hours), and 4. Expiration time (when expiration occurs in <24 hours). NBSTSA Tip: Labels must be verified by both the circulator and the CST. Any solution found unlabeled must be discarded immediately. Distractor: Do not include the patient's name on the bowl label itself unless it is a multi-patient environment (rare in the OR).
During a total hip arthroplasty, the CST is preparing to mix polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). What are the two primary components, and what specific reaction occurs that the surgical team must monitor?
Show answer →PMMA consists of a liquid monomer (methyl methacrylate) and a powder polymer (polymethyl methacrylate/styrene copolymer). When mixed, an exothermic reaction occurs, releasing significant heat (up to 212°F/100°C). Exam Strategy: NBSTSA often tests the term exothermic. The heat can cause thermal necrosis of surrounding bone, but it also aids in the expansion of the cement for mechanical fixation. The CST must notify the surgeon and anesthesia when the cement is being driven or implanted due to the risk of systemic reactions.
During the induction phase of general anesthesia, the surgical technologist may be asked to apply cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver). What is the primary clinical objective and the specific anatomical structure compressed?
Show answer →The objective is to prevent regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during the unprotected airway period. Pressure is applied to the cricoid cartilage, which is the only complete ring of the trachea. This compresses the esophagus against the cervical vertebrae. NBSTSA Tip: Cricoid pressure must be maintained continuously from the moment the patient loses consciousness until the endotracheal (ET) tube cuff is inflated and the position is confirmed by the anesthesia provider. A common distractor is releasing pressure when the laryngoscope is inserted; DO NOT release until explicitly told to do so. This is a critical safety role for the ST during RSI (Rapid Sequence Induction).
During a total hip arthroplasty, the surgeon requests the prophylactic antibiotic be administered. According to 2026 guidelines, what is the optimal timing for the administration of Cefazolin (Ancef) to ensure peak tissue concentration at the time of incision?
Show answer →Per SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Project) and current clinical standards, prophylactic antibiotics like Cefazolin should be administered within 60 minutes prior to the surgical incision. For Vancomycin or Fluoroquinolones, the window is extended to 120 minutes due to longer infusion times. NBSTSA Focus: Proper timing reduces Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates. High-yield tip: If a pneumatic tourniquet is used, the antibiotic must be fully infused before the tourniquet is inflated to ensure the drug reaches the surgical site tissues.
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Try 30 free CST cards firstThe full CST deck contains 1040 flashcards, and 100 of them focus on pharmacology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CST deck dedicates 100 of 1040 cards (10%) to pharmacology — always cross-check the official NBSTSA exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CST preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1040 cards is a one-time $7.
Anatomy
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Basics
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Equipment
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Management
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Pathology
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Procedures
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Safety
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