Sterile Processing Technician Exam
Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
25 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the Sterile Processing Technician Exam.
Master Anatomy & Physiology to boost your score on the Sterile Processing Technician Exam. Each question below mirrors the style and difficulty of real exam questions, complete with detailed explanations so you understand the why behind every answer. Work through all 25 questions, review any that trip you up, and use the related topics below to round out your preparation.
Q1.The suffix '-ectomy' in medical terminology means:
A.Inflammation ofB.Surgical removal ofC.Surgical repair ofD.Creation of a new openingB. Surgical removal ofExplanation: -ectomy means removal (e.g., appendectomy). -itis means inflammation. -plasty means repair. -ostomy means creating an opening.
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Q2.Which surgical procedure involves the removal of the gallbladder?
A.GastrectomyB.CholecystectomyC.ColectomyD.HysterectomyB. CholecystectomyExplanation: Chole- refers to bile/gall, -cyst- refers to bladder/sac. Cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder.
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Q3.The long shaft of a long bone (like the femur) is called the:
A.EpiphysisB.DiaphysisC.PeriosteumD.MarrowB. DiaphysisExplanation: The diaphysis is the main midsection (shaft) of a long bone. The epiphysis is the rounded end.
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Q4.Instruments used for a 'Craniotomy' would be used on which part of the body?
A.The skullB.The heartC.The hipD.The spineA. The skullExplanation: Crani- refers to the cranium (skull). A craniotomy is creating an opening in the skull to access the brain.
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Q5.Which body system is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body?
A.Nervous systemB.Integumentary systemC.Cardiovascular systemD.Endocrine systemC. Cardiovascular systemExplanation: The cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) pumps and circulates blood.
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Q6.The prefix 'Hyper-' means:
A.Below or deficientB.Above or excessiveC.BetweenD.WithinB. Above or excessiveExplanation: Hyper- means above/high (e.g., Hypertension). Hypo- means below/low.
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Q7.A 'Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy' involves the removal of:
A.Both kidneysB.Both fallopian tubes and both ovariesC.The uterus and cervixD.Part of the colonB. Both fallopian tubes and both ovariesExplanation: Bilateral (both sides), Salpingo (tubes), Oophor (ovaries), ectomy (removal).
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Q8.Which connective tissue connects bone to bone?
A.TendonB.LigamentC.CartilageD.FasciaB. LigamentExplanation: Ligaments connect bone to bone (providing stability). Tendons connect muscle to bone (providing movement).
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Q9.The term 'Arthroscopy' refers to:
A.Visual examination of a joint using a scopeB.Repair of a herniaC.Removal of a jointD.Incision into an arteryA. Visual examination of a joint using a scopeExplanation: Arthro- (joint) + -scopy (visual examination).
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Q10.Which organ is the primary filter of the blood, removing waste products to form urine?
A.LiverB.PancreasC.KidneyD.SpleenC. KidneyExplanation: The kidneys filter blood and produce urine. Nephrectomy instruments are used for kidney removal.
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Q11.The 'distal' end of an instrument is:
A.The end closest to the user's hand (rings)B.The working end furthest from the user's hand (tips)C.The hinge areaD.The middleB. The working end furthest from the user's hand (tips)Explanation: Distal means 'distant' or furthest away from the point of attachment (the hand). Proximal is closest to the hand.
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Q12.A 'Thoracotomy' tray would contain instruments used for surgery on the:
A.AbdomenB.Chest/LungsC.BrainD.ThighB. Chest/LungsExplanation: Thoraco- refers to the thorax (chest). A thoracotomy is an incision into the chest cavity.
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Q13.Which system controls body activities through electrical impulses?
A.Circulatory systemB.Nervous systemC.Digestive systemD.Respiratory systemB. Nervous systemExplanation: The nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) uses electrical signals to control the body.
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Q14.The term 'Septoplasty' involves repair of the:
A.Heart valvesB.Nasal septumC.Stomach liningD.EardrumB. Nasal septumExplanation: Septo- refers to a wall or partition, commonly the nasal septum. -plasty is repair.
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Q15.The largest organ in the human body, which protects against infection and regulates temperature, is the:
A.LiverB.Skin (Integumentary System)C.FemurD.BrainB. Skin (Integumentary System)Explanation: The skin is the largest organ and the first line of defense against infection.
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Q16.What type of tissue covers the body surface and lines internal organs?
A.Connective tissueB.Muscle tissueC.Epithelial tissueD.Nervous tissueC. Epithelial tissueExplanation: Epithelial tissue forms protective layers (skin) and linings (mucous membranes).
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Q17.A 'Total Hip Arthroplasty' involves replacing which two components?
A.Femoral head and acetabulumB.Tibia and FibulaC.Radius and UlnaD.Knee cap and femurA. Femoral head and acetabulumExplanation: A total hip involves replacing the ball (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint.
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Q18.The prefix 'Para-' typically means:
A.BeforeB.Beside or nearC.InsideD.AfterB. Beside or nearExplanation: Para- means beside, near, or abnormal (e.g., Paramedic, Parathyroid).
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Q19.Which organ secretes insulin and digestive enzymes?
A.GallbladderB.SpleenC.PancreasD.AppendixC. PancreasExplanation: The pancreas has both endocrine (insulin) and exocrine (digestive enzyme) functions.
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Q20.An 'ORIF' procedure stands for:
A.Open Reduction Internal FixationB.Oral Reconstruction Internal FaceC.Outer Rotation Inner FlexionD.Open Repair Intra-FemoralA. Open Reduction Internal FixationExplanation: ORIF is a common orthopedic surgery to fix broken bones using plates and screws (Internal Fixation) after opening the site (Open Reduction).
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Q21.The 'Alimentary Canal' refers to the:
A.Spinal canalB.Digestive tract (mouth to anus)C.Birth canalD.Ear canalB. Digestive tract (mouth to anus)Explanation: Alimentary refers to nutrition/digestion. It is the pathway food travels.
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Q22.The root word 'Hyster' relates to the:
A.LiverB.UterusC.BloodD.BrainB. UterusExplanation: Hyster- means uterus (e.g., Hysteroscopy, Hysterectomy).
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Q23.Which surgery would require a 'Myringotomy' knife?
A.Heart surgeryB.Ear surgery (eardrum incision)C.Foot surgeryD.Stomach surgeryB. Ear surgery (eardrum incision)Explanation: Myringo- refers to the tympanic membrane (eardrum). A myringotomy is an incision to relieve pressure/drain fluid.
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Q24.Pathogens are:
A.White blood cellsB.Disease-causing microorganismsC.Surgical instrumentsD.Sterile barriersB. Disease-causing microorganismsExplanation: Patho- (disease) + -gen (producer). Pathogens are germs that cause disease.
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Q25.The 'Femur' is located in the:
A.Upper armB.ThighC.Lower legD.ForearmB. ThighExplanation: The femur is the thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.
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