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.
Work-Life Balance for Surgical Technologists: Practical Strategies That Actually Help
Realistic strategies surgical technologists can use to build sustainable work-life balance around demanding OR schedules.
August 6, 2026
Compassion Fatigue Among Operating Room Staff: What It Is and How to Address It
An overview of compassion fatigue as it affects operating room staff, including surgical technologists, and strategies to address it.
August 5, 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
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
Radiofrequency-Tagged Sponge Technology: How It Works and Why Facilities Use It
An overview of radiofrequency sponge detection technology and how it supplements, rather than replaces, the standard manual surgical count.
August 2, 2026
Surgical Count Discrepancy Protocol: What Happens When the Numbers Don't Match
A step-by-step look at the standard protocol surgical teams follow when a surgical count does not reconcile.
August 1, 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
Pressure Injury Prevention in the Operating Room: A Practical Guide
How the surgical team identifies and reduces pressure injury risk for patients during surgery, particularly in longer procedures.
July 30, 2026
Prone Position Complications in Surgery and How the Team Prevents Them
An overview of complications associated with the prone surgical position and prevention strategies used by the surgical team.
July 29, 2026
Lithotomy Position Nerve Injury Prevention: A Focused Guide
A detailed look at nerve injury risk specific to the lithotomy position and how the surgical team reduces that risk.
July 28, 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
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