Sterile Processing Technician Exam
Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
25 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the Sterile Processing Technician Exam.
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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