10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The OT-SC exam has 150 questions and runs 3 hours.
These 10 free OT-SC questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified (OT-SC) blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A healthy adult scheduled for elective knee arthroscopy finished black coffee without milk or cream three hours ago and has eaten no solid food for ten hours. The patient has no factors associated with increased aspiration risk, and the facility follows ASA fasting intervals. How should this history affect preoperative preparation?
Correct answer: D - Continue preparation and report the type and time of the intake to anesthesia.
Tomorrow's schedule includes removal of a tibial plate implanted at another hospital. The preference card lists a routine small-fragment set, but neither the implant manufacturer nor the screw-drive pattern is documented. Which preparation would most reduce avoidable interruption once the plate is exposed?
Correct answer: C - Identify the implant system and arrange compatible removal tools plus extraction backups.
An oblique tibial fracture has been anatomically reduced. A pilot hole for a fully threaded cortical screw passes through both fragments, but the screw threads would engage both fragments. To achieve interfragmentary compression by lag technique, what additional preparation should the OT-SC anticipate?
Correct answer: C - Enlarge the hole in the near fragment to the screw's outer thread diameter.
An 82-year-old undergoes cemented hemiarthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture. As the femoral stem is inserted into the cemented canal, oxygen saturation falls from 98% to 83%, blood pressure falls from 138/74 to 72/40 mmHg, and end-tidal carbon dioxide drops abruptly. Blood loss has been modest, and anesthesia begins resuscitation. Which complication best fits this event?
Correct answer: D - Bone cement implantation syndrome
While adjusting exposure, an OT-SC touches a nonsterile light arm with one gloved hand and immediately holds that hand away from the field. The glove is intact, the gown was not touched, and no subsequent contact occurred. Fresh gloves and a scrubbed assistant are available. What correction is needed before the OT-SC resumes assisting?
Correct answer: D - Remove the contaminated glove and have the scrubbed assistant help apply a sterile replacement.
During revision knee arthroplasty, the surgeon obtains several separately identified periprosthetic tissue samples for site-specific bacterial cultures and another sample for routine permanent histology. Before the specimens leave the room, which transport arrangement preserves the intended examinations?
Correct answer: B - Send cultures separately in laboratory-approved sterile containers without fixative; place the histology specimen in 10% neutral buffered formalin.
Diffuse epidural venous oozing is obscuring exposure during a prone lumbar decompression. Arterial pressure and coagulation results are unchanged. Of the following positioning findings, which most directly contributes to increased venous bleeding at the operative site?
Correct answer: D - The abdomen is compressed between the torso and a table pad.
During a postoperative motor examination, a patient dorsiflexes the ankle through its full range against gravity but cannot overcome any added resistance. Pain does not limit the effort. What Medical Research Council muscle-power grade describes this finding?
Correct answer: B - Grade 3
A 9-year-old has just undergone reduction of a displaced both-bone forearm fracture under anesthesia. Swelling is expected to increase during the first day. The surgeon requests temporary immobilization that limits forearm rotation while accommodating swelling. Select the construct that best meets both requirements.
Correct answer: A - A well-padded long-arm splint secured with a nonconstrictive retaining wrap
After fracture fixation, a patient transfers to a rehabilitation facility. The receiving physician requests the operative report and weight-bearing orders through an approved secure exchange. The physician's identity and treatment role are verified, but no separate patient authorization has been signed. Which statement correctly applies HIPAA to this request?
Correct answer: A - The records may be sent for treatment without a separate patient authorization.
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