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.
Irrigation Solutions Used in Surgery: Saline, Antibiotic, and Distension Fluids
An overview of the different irrigation solutions used during surgical procedures and how their use varies by specialty.
November 15, 2025
Ophthalmic Medications Used in Eye Surgery: Miotics, Mydriatics, and Viscoelastics
A review of the specialized medications used during ophthalmic surgery, including their purpose and timing within the procedure.
November 14, 2025
Contrast Media Used in the Operating Room: What Surgical Techs Should Know
An overview of contrast media used during intraoperative imaging procedures, such as cholangiography, and related safety considerations.
November 13, 2025
Anticoagulants and Reversal Agents in Surgery: What CSTs Should Understand
An overview of common anticoagulants used during surgery, such as heparin, and the reversal agents used to counteract their effects.
November 12, 2025
Medication Labeling on the Sterile Field: The Rule You Cannot Break
Why every medication and solution on the sterile field must be immediately labeled, and the correct procedure for doing it safely.
November 11, 2025
Antibiotic Prophylaxis Timing in Surgery: Why the Window Matters
How surgical antibiotic prophylaxis timing affects surgical site infection risk, and what surgical techs should know about the standard timing window.
November 10, 2025
Hemostatic Agents Overview: Absorbable Gelatin, Cellulose, and Topical Thrombin
A comparison of common hemostatic agents used in surgery, including how each works and when a surgeon might choose one over another.
November 9, 2025
General Anesthesia Types and Stages: What Every CST Should Understand
An overview of general anesthesia induction, maintenance methods, and the stages of anesthesia relevant to the CST exam.
November 8, 2025
Local Anesthetics Used in the Operating Room: Lidocaine, Bupivacaine, and More
A comparison of common local anesthetics used in surgery, including onset time, duration, and maximum dosage awareness.
November 7, 2025
Surgical Pharmacology Overview: What the CST Exam Actually Tests
An overview of how surgical pharmacology is tested on the CST exam, including drug categories and the sterile field medication handling process.
November 6, 2025
Vascular Anatomy of the Extremities: A CST Exam Review
A review of major arterial and venous anatomy in the upper and lower extremities relevant to vascular surgery on the CST exam.
November 5, 2025
Ophthalmic Anatomy for Eye Surgery: A CST Exam Review
A review of eye anatomy structures relevant to cataract surgery and other ophthalmic procedures on the CST exam.
November 4, 2025