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 Career Advancement Paths Beyond the Operating Room
An overview of career advancement options available to experienced certified surgical technologists beyond staying at the bedside.
August 11, 2026
Surgical Tech Burnout Prevention: Recognizing the Signs Before They Escalate
Practical strategies surgical technologists can use to recognize and prevent burnout in a physically and mentally demanding OR career.
August 3, 2026
Surgical Plume Health Risks: Why Smoke Evacuation Protects the Whole OR Team
An overview of the documented health risks associated with surgical smoke exposure and why every OR team member benefits from consistent smoke evacuation.
July 26, 2026
Laser Safety Classifications in the Operating Room: A CST Exam Guide
An overview of surgical laser classification categories and the corresponding safety precautions the surgical team must follow.
July 18, 2026
Malignant Hyperthermia Protocol: The Surgical Technologist's Role in a Crisis
A breakdown of the malignant hyperthermia emergency protocol and what the surgical technologist is responsible for during a crisis.
July 10, 2026
OR Fire Drill Protocol: What Surgical Technologists Should Know and Practice
An overview of standard operating room fire drill protocol and the surgical technologist's role during an actual OR fire emergency.
July 2, 2026
Surgical Hand Scrub vs. Surgical Hand Rub: Comparing the Two Approved Methods
A comparison of traditional surgical hand scrubbing and alcohol-based surgical hand rub protocols, and how the CST exam tests both.
June 24, 2026
Bariatric Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to bariatric surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 16, 2026
Orthopedic Surgery for Surgical Technologists: A CST Exam Specialty Guide
A focused guide to orthopedic surgery instrumentation, positioning, and technique concepts relevant to surgical technology students and the CST exam.
June 8, 2026
AI in the Operating Room: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Surgical Technology
An overview of how artificial intelligence tools are being introduced into operating room workflows and what it means for surgical technologists.
May 31, 2026
Wound Classification Mnemonic: Clean, Clean-Contaminated, Contaminated, and Dirty-Infected
A memory framework for the CDC surgical wound classification system tested on the NBSTSA CST exam.
May 23, 2026
CST Practice Question Walkthrough: Electrosurgery Safety Scenario Questions
A worked example of how to reason through an electrosurgical safety question on the CST exam.
May 15, 2026