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.
Surgical Tech Specialization Certifications Beyond the CST: What's Available
An overview of specialty certifications surgical technologists can pursue after earning their base CST credential.
August 12, 2026
Shift Work Fatigue in Surgical Technology: Managing Irregular and On-Call Schedules
How surgical technologists can manage fatigue from irregular shifts, overnight call, and unpredictable case schedules.
August 4, 2026
Patient Positioning Injuries: Prevention Strategies Every Surgical Technologist Should Know
An overview of common patient positioning injuries in surgery and the prevention strategies the surgical team uses to reduce risk.
July 27, 2026
Laser Eye Protection in Surgery: Choosing the Right Wear for Each Laser Type
A guide to selecting correct laser safety eyewear based on wavelength, and why generic eye protection is not sufficient during laser use.
July 19, 2026
Dantrolene Preparation During a Malignant Hyperthermia Crisis: What to Know
An overview of dantrolene sodium as the definitive treatment for malignant hyperthermia, and why rapid preparation matters during a crisis.
July 11, 2026
Medication Errors in the Operating Room: Common Causes and Prevention Strategies
An overview of how medication errors occur on the sterile field and the systems surgical teams use to prevent them.
July 3, 2026
Sterile Processing Updates Every Surgical Technologist Should Know
A look at recent trends and standard updates in sterile processing that affect how surgical technologists receive, use, and manage instrumentation.
June 25, 2026
Vascular Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to vascular surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 17, 2026
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to plastic and reconstructive surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 9, 2026
Augmented Reality Surgical Navigation: A Primer for Surgical Technologists
An introduction to augmented reality navigation systems used in orthopedic and spine surgery, and their relevance to the surgical technologist role.
June 1, 2026
CST vs. CFA: Comparing Surgical Technologist and Certified First Assistant Roles
A side-by-side comparison of the Certified Surgical Technologist role and the broader Certified First Assistant role for students weighing their career path.
May 24, 2026
Surgical Instrument Mnemonics: Memory Tricks That Actually Stick
A collection of mnemonic devices surgical technology students can use to remember instrument categories and functions for the CST exam.
May 16, 2026