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.
CST Exam Day Checklist: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home
A practical checklist of what NBSTSA candidates should bring to the testing center on CST exam day, and what gets you turned away.
April 20, 2026
Splenectomy: Open and Laparoscopic Surgical Overview
An overview of splenectomy surgery for trauma and elective indications, comparing open and laparoscopic approaches and key vascular considerations.
April 19, 2026
What Happens After You Pass the CST Exam: Next Steps for New Certificants
A guide to the practical next steps after passing the CST exam, including receiving your credential, updating employers, and planning renewal.
April 18, 2026
How to Handle a Frozen Screen or Technical Glitch During the CST Exam
What to do if you experience a computer freeze, error message, or other technical glitch during your CST exam at the testing center.
April 17, 2026
How to Read a Surgical Tech Job Posting: Decoding Requirements, Certifications, and Red Flags
A guide to interpreting surgical technologist job postings, distinguishing required versus preferred qualifications, and spotting potential red flags.
April 16, 2026
NPO Fasting Guidelines and Aspiration Prophylaxis Medications
An overview of preoperative NPO fasting guidelines and the medications sometimes used to reduce aspiration risk in surgical patients.
April 15, 2026
Inguinal Canal Anatomy: Layers and Landmarks for Hernia Repair
A focused anatomy review of the inguinal canal, its bordering structures, and the landmarks relevant to inguinal hernia repair.
April 14, 2026
Traffic Control During OR Case Turnover: Minimizing Contamination Risk Between Surgeries
How proper traffic control and workflow during OR case turnover between surgeries reduces contamination risk and supports efficient room turnaround.
April 13, 2026
Cell Salvage (Autotransfusion) Equipment: How Intraoperative Blood Recovery Works
A guide to intraoperative cell salvage equipment, which recovers and reinfuses a patient's own blood during surgeries with significant blood loss.
April 12, 2026
Nissen vs. Partial Fundoplication: Comparing Antireflux Surgery Techniques
A comparison of Nissen (360-degree) fundoplication with partial fundoplication techniques like Toupet and Dor for treating GERD.
April 11, 2026
Common CST Exam Myths Debunked: What Candidates Get Wrong About the Test
A debunking of common myths and misconceptions about the CST exam that circulate among candidates, based on how the exam actually works.
April 10, 2026
How to Reschedule Your CST Exam Without Losing Your Application Fee
A practical guide to rescheduling a CST exam appointment, including deadline windows and how to avoid losing your exam application fee.
April 9, 2026