TS-C Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: D

A sterile tray found torn and replaced before the case began: Incorrect. A packaging problem caught before use is a near miss or reportable issue, not a sentinel event, because no patient harm occurred.

A sponge count discrepancy resolved by finding the sponge in the room: Incorrect. A resolved count discrepancy is documented per policy but is not a sentinel event, since nothing was retained.

A brief delay in starting a case because of a missing instrument: Incorrect. Delays are operational problems that may be reported internally but do not meet the sentinel event definition.

Unintended retention of a sponge in a patient after surgery: Correct. The Joint Commission lists unintended retention of a foreign object after an invasive procedure as a sentinel event requiring root cause analysis.

Sentinel events include retained foreign objects, wrong-site/wrong-patient/wrong-procedure surgery, surgical fires and other events causing death or severe harm; they require a comprehensive systematic analysis.

Answer: A

Bowie-Dick type test: Correct. The Bowie-Dick (air removal) test is performed daily in an empty prevacuum sterilizer before the first processed load to detect air leaks or inadequate air removal.

Biological indicator test: Incorrect. Biological indicators with Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores test lethality of the cycle; they do not specifically assess air removal.

Class 1 process indicator tape: Incorrect. External process indicator tape only shows that a package went through a cycle; it does not test sterilizer air removal.

Class 5 integrating indicator: Incorrect. An integrating indicator placed in a pack responds to several sterilization parameters inside that pack, not daily chamber air removal.

Bowie-Dick = air removal, daily, empty prevacuum chamber, before first load. Biological indicator (G. stearothermophilus for steam) = lethality, at least weekly and with every implant load.

Answer: D

Wipe the glove with alcohol and continue the procedure: Incorrect. Alcohol does not resterilize a contaminated glove; the barrier is still considered contaminated.

Pull a second sterile glove over the contaminated glove: Incorrect. Placing a sterile glove over a contaminated one leaves contamination underneath; the contaminated glove must be removed.

Continue, since contact with the light lasted only a moment: Incorrect. Sterility is not time-dependent; any contact with an unsterile surface contaminates the glove.

Have the contaminated glove removed and reglove the surgeon: Correct. The contaminated glove is removed (usually by the circulator) and the scrub regloves the surgeon with a sterile glove using assisted gloving.

Any break in technique is corrected immediately: replace contaminated gloves, gowns, drapes or instruments; if in doubt, consider it contaminated.

Answer: C

Raise one leg at a time, starting with the leg closest to the anesthesia provider: Incorrect. Raising legs one at a time strains the hip joints and lumbosacral spine of a relaxed patient.

Raise the legs quickly and together so the patient is moved only once: Incorrect. Rapid movement can cause sudden blood pressure changes as blood shifts; legs should be moved slowly.

Raise the legs slowly and together, with one person at each leg: Correct. Moving both legs slowly and simultaneously prevents hip dislocation and lumbosacral strain and limits sudden hemodynamic shifts.

Raise both legs together after the patient's arms are tucked against the table break: Incorrect. Fingers near the foot section or table break risk crush injury when the table is adjusted; hand position should be checked, not placed at the break.

Lithotomy: two people, legs raised and lowered slowly and at the same time; pad the peroneal nerve area and keep fingers clear of the table break.

Answer: B

Place it in 10% formalin and send it with the routine specimens: Incorrect. Formalin fixes tissue and makes it unsuitable for frozen section; routine timing would also delay intraoperative decisions.

Send it fresh, without preservative, to pathology immediately: Correct. Frozen sections require fresh, unfixed tissue sent promptly so the pathologist can freeze, cut and report while the patient is still in surgery.

Place it in sterile saline and hold it until the end of the case: Incorrect. Holding the specimen delays the result the surgeon needs during the procedure.

Wrap it in a dry sponge and keep it on the back table for reference: Incorrect. Keeping the specimen on the field delays pathology and risks loss or mix-up with counted sponges.

Frozen section = fresh, no formalin, labeled and sent immediately. Routine permanent specimens usually go in formalin per facility policy.

Answer: D

Close all ratchets and box locks so instruments do not move in transit: Incorrect. Closed box locks trap debris; hinged instruments should be opened so all surfaces can be cleaned.

Soak the instruments in a basin of saline for several hours before transport: Incorrect. Prolonged saline exposure causes pitting and corrosion; instruments should be kept moist with an approved product instead.

Let blood dry on the instruments so it is easier to brush off: Incorrect. Dried blood and tissue are much harder to remove and can protect microorganisms during sterilization.

Open hinges, keep them moist, and transport in a closed labeled container: Correct. Point-of-use care includes removing gross soil, opening hinged instruments, keeping them moist (enzymatic spray or foam) and transporting in a closed, labeled biohazard container.

Point-of-use treatment: wipe gross soil, separate sharps, open box locks, disassemble, keep moist, and transport closed and labeled as biohazardous.