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.
Building a Professional Network as a Surgical Technologist: AST Chapters and Beyond
Practical ways surgical technologists can build a professional network through AST state chapters, conferences, and online communities.
February 19, 2026
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity: Signs and Emergency Treatment Every CST Should Recognize
What local anesthetic systemic toxicity is, the warning signs to watch for, and the lipid emulsion therapy used to treat it.
February 18, 2026
Ear Anatomy for Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy Procedures
A focused anatomy review of the outer, middle, and inner ear relevant to tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy surgery.
February 17, 2026
Surgical Site Marking Protocol: Why the Surgeon Must Mark Before the Patient Enters the OR
The requirements and rationale behind surgical site marking as part of the Universal Protocol, and how it prevents wrong-site surgery.
February 16, 2026
Laparoscopic Stapling Devices Guide: Loading, Firing, and Troubleshooting
A practical guide to laparoscopic linear and circular stapling devices, including cartridge selection, loading, and common troubleshooting scenarios.
February 15, 2026
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Surgery: A Surgical Technologist Overview
An overview of spinal cord stimulator implant surgery, including the trial phase, permanent implantation, and instrumentation considerations.
February 14, 2026
Understanding CST Exam Item-Writing Patterns: How NBSTSA Structures Tricky Questions
An inside look at common item-writing patterns used in standardized certification exams and how to recognize them on the CST exam.
February 13, 2026
CST Exam Content Triage: What to Review and What to Skip in Your Final 48 Hours
A content triage strategy for the final 48 hours before your CST exam, focused on what to review versus what to let go of.
February 12, 2026
Surgical Tech Resume Keywords That Pass Applicant Tracking Systems
How to optimize a surgical technologist resume with the right keywords and formatting to get past applicant tracking system filters.
February 11, 2026
Corticosteroids Used Perioperatively: Dexamethasone and Its Surgical Applications
An overview of dexamethasone and other corticosteroids used during the perioperative period, including their anti-inflammatory and antiemetic roles.
February 10, 2026
Thyroid and Parathyroid Anatomy Review: Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Landmarks
A focused anatomy review of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, their vascular supply, and the nerve landmarks critical to safe thyroid surgery.
February 9, 2026
Perioperative Normothermia: Why Patient Warming Matters and the CST's Role
Why maintaining normal patient body temperature throughout surgery matters for outcomes, and how the surgical team actively supports normothermia.
February 8, 2026