SurgicalTechPrep Blog
Study smarter. Pass the CST exam.
Study guides, procedure breakdowns, and exam strategy to help you pass the NBSTSA CST exam on your first attempt.
Common CST Exam Mistakes to Avoid on Test Day
A rundown of avoidable mistakes CST candidates make on exam day, from logistics errors to test-taking habits that cost points.
August 16, 2026
Surgical Tech Resume Tips for New Graduates Entering the Job Market
Practical resume-writing strategies new surgical technology graduates can use to stand out when applying for their first CST position.
August 8, 2026
Retained Surgical Items: Prevention Strategies Beyond the Standard Count
An overview of layered prevention strategies used to reduce retained surgical item risk beyond the standard manual count alone.
July 31, 2026
Pneumatic Tourniquet Pressure Settings: How the Surgical Team Determines the Right Number
An overview of how pneumatic tourniquet pressure settings are determined for individual patients during extremity surgery.
July 23, 2026
Electrosurgical Unit Grounding Pad Placement: Getting It Right Every Time
A guide to correct dispersive grounding pad placement for monopolar electrosurgery and the risks of getting it wrong.
July 15, 2026
Latex Allergy Protocol in the Operating Room: What Surgical Technologists Must Know
An overview of latex allergy screening and precaution protocols surgical technologists follow to protect at-risk patients during surgery.
July 7, 2026
OR Fire Safety Checklist: A Practical Guide for Surgical Technologists
A practical checklist surgical technologists can use to reduce fire risk during case setup and throughout a procedure.
June 29, 2026
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to oral and maxillofacial surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 21, 2026
General Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to general surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 13, 2026
The Future of Surgical Technology as a Career: Trends Worth Watching
A look at workforce, technology, and scope-of-practice trends likely to shape the surgical technologist career over the next decade.
June 5, 2026
Online vs. In-Person Surgical Technology Programs: What You Actually Need Hands-On
A comparison of hybrid online and traditional in-person surgical technology programs, and why clinical hours cannot be replicated remotely.
May 28, 2026
Sterile Technique Mnemonic Devices for the CST Exam
Memory aids surgical technology students can use to recall the core principles of sterile technique tested throughout the CST exam.
May 20, 2026