Departmental Considerations is 15% of the scored CRCST exam. Answer 10 exam style questions on surgical terminology and department roles and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →The schedule lists a craniotomy. Based on its word parts, what procedure is this?
These questions cover suffix -otomy, suffix -ostomy, arthroscopy, suffix -plasty and laparo- prefix. Each one shows the correct answer and why every other option is wrong, so a miss tells you exactly what to review before the CRCST.
Prefer to read first? Every question from the practice set above, with the correct answer and why each wrong option is wrong.
Answer: B. Crani- refers to the skull and -otomy means incision or cutting into. A craniotomy is a surgical opening of the skull to reach the brain, so the case needs a neurosurgical set.
Why not A: Removal would use -ectomy. The suffix -otomy means cutting into.
Why not C: A surgically created permanent opening uses -ostomy.
Why not D: Visual examination uses -scopy.
Exam tactic: -otomy = cut into. -ostomy = make a mouth.
Answer: A. The suffix -ostomy means surgical creation of an opening, such as one to the outside of the body. A colostomy creates an opening from the colon through the abdominal wall.
Why not B: The suffix -otomy means incision into, not creating a lasting opening.
Why not C: The suffix -ectomy means surgical removal.
Why not D: The suffix -plasty means surgical repair or reshaping.
Exam tactic: -ostomy = new opening (stoma).
Answer: C. Arthro- means joint and -scopy means visual examination with an instrument. Arthroscopy uses a rigid scope inserted into a joint, so the case needs an arthroscopy set with a scope and related instruments.
Why not A: Bone is osteo- and repair is -plasty. Arthro- refers to a joint.
Why not B: Incision into a joint is arthrotomy.
Why not D: Removal would use -ectomy. Arthroscopy is an examination with a scope.
Exam tactic: Arthro = joint. Scopy = look inside.
Answer: B. The suffix -plasty means surgical repair or reconstruction. Rhino- means nose, so rhinoplasty is surgical reshaping of the nose.
Why not A: Removal is -ectomy.
Why not C: Suturing is -rrhaphy, as in herniorrhaphy.
Why not D: Fixation is -pexy, as in orchiopexy.
Exam tactic: -plasty = plastic, reshape it.
Answer: D. Laparo- refers to the abdomen or abdominal wall and -otomy means incision. A laparotomy is an open incision into the abdominal cavity, which calls for a major or laparotomy instrument set.
Why not A: Removal of the larynx is laryngectomy. Laparo- refers to the abdomen.
Why not B: A scope exam through ports is laparoscopy, which uses -scopy.
Why not C: Repair would use -plasty or -rrhaphy, not -otomy.
Exam tactic: Laparo = abdomen. Laparotomy = open the belly.
Answer: A. Hyster- means uterus and -ectomy means removal. A hysterectomy requires a gynecologic set, open or minimally invasive depending on the approach.
Why not B: Bladder uses the root cyst- or cysto-.
Why not C: Gallbladder removal is cholecystectomy.
Why not D: Kidney uses nephr- or ren-.
Exam tactic: Hyster = uterus.
Answer: C. Chole- means bile, cyst- means sac or bladder and -ectomy means removal, so a cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic means it is done through ports with a scope, so a laparoscopic instrument set is pulled.
Why not A: Chole- refers to bile and cyst- to a sac, so the organ is the gallbladder. A laparoscopic approach needs a laparoscopic set.
Why not B: The urinary bladder uses cyst- alone. Chole- plus cyst- means gallbladder.
Why not D: Hepat- refers to the liver, and a thoracotomy set is for the chest.
Exam tactic: Chole + cyst = bile sac = gallbladder.
Answer: D. The suffix -rrhaphy means suturing. A herniorrhaphy repairs a hernia by suturing the defect closed, using a general or hernia instrument set.
Why not A: Removal is -ectomy. The suffix -rrhaphy refers to suturing.
Why not B: Visual examination is -scopy.
Why not C: Puncture to withdraw fluid is -centesis.
Exam tactic: -rrhaphy = sew it up.
Answer: B. Cysto- refers to the urinary bladder and -scopy means visual examination. A cystoscopy uses a cystoscope passed through the urethra, so SPD supplies the cystoscope and its accessories processed per IFU.
Why not A: Cyst- in a procedure name refers to the bladder or a sac, and -scopy means viewing, not removal.
Why not C: Gallbladder uses chole- plus cyst-, and incision is -otomy.
Why not D: Kidney uses nephr- or ren-, and repair is -plasty.
Exam tactic: Cysto = bladder. Scopy = look.
Answer: A. Osteo- means bone and -otomy means cutting. An osteotomy cuts bone to reshape or realign it, and the set includes osteotomes and mallets.
Why not B: Joint is arthro-, and removal is -ectomy.
Why not C: Tendon uses ten- or tendo-, and repair is -plasty or -rrhaphy.
Why not D: Examination with a scope is -scopy.
Exam tactic: Osteo = bone. Osteotome cuts bone.
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