CRCST Chapter 2 Quiz (9th Edition): 20 Free Questions
Published 2026-11-05 · Facts and text checked 2026-11-02 · Questions from our CRCST study guide · Reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer
This free quiz has 20 questions on the topics of chapter 2, Medical Terminology, of the HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th edition: medical terminology: prefixes, suffixes and root words. They are our own questions, from our CRCST study guide, not taken from the manual. Click an answer to read the explanation.
Our own questions on the topics of chapter 2, Medical Terminology, of the HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th edition. On the exam this is part of Departmental Considerations. Open each answer to read the explanation.
Question 1Hard
According to standard medical terminology, the dorsalis pedis artery is located on which surface of the foot?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. The top (dorsal) surface.
Despite the root 'dorsi-' meaning back, the dorsum of the foot is the top surface. The dorsalis pedis artery runs along the top of the foot, not the sole.
From practice test 5 of our CRCST study guide (question 22). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 2Medium
A 65-year-old patient undergoes a total joint replacement to reshape and repair the articular surfaces of the knee. Which suffix describes this surgical procedure?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. -plasty
The suffix -plasty means surgical repair or reshaping, as in arthroplasty. -pexy indicates fixation, -rrhaphy indicates suturing, and -ectomy indicates removal.
From practice test 5 of our CRCST study guide (question 92). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 3Hard
A technician sees three labeled trays: a gastroscope tray, a gastrotomy tray, and a gastrostomy tray. Each uses the root 'gastr/o' with a different suffix. Which tray would contain a dilator and a catheter?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Gastrostomy tray
The suffix '-stomy' means creating a permanent opening; a gastrostomy tube insertion uses dilators and a catheter. '-Scope' indicates a viewing instrument (gastroscope), and '-tomy' indicates an incision (gastrotomy set typically includes clamps and scalpels).
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 68). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 4Easy
In medical terminology, the prefix 'bi-' indicates what number?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Two
Bi- is a prefix meaning two, as in bilateral (both sides) or bicuspid (two cusps).
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 121). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 5Medium
Which prefix indicates a condition that is below normal?
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Correct answer: B. Hypo-
The prefix 'hypo-' means below or beneath normal. 'Hyper-' means above normal, 'supra-' and 'super-' mean above or over.
From practice test 3 of our CRCST study guide (question 96). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 6Easy
In the term 'epidermis', the prefix 'epi-' means:
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Correct answer: B. Upon or over
The prefix 'epi-' means upon, over, or on top of. Epidermis is the outer layer of skin, upon the dermis.
From practice test 4 of our CRCST study guide (question 128). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 7Easy
The term 'dorsalis pedis' refers to which anatomical location?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The back of the foot
Dorsi- means back, and pedis means foot, so dorsalis pedis refers to the dorsum or back of the foot. The dorsalis pedis artery is located there.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 37). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 8Medium
A patient has a condition affecting the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart. Which prefix best describes the location of this membrane?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Peri-
Peri- means around; the pericardium is the membrane around the heart. Endo- means inside, sub- means under, and trans- means across or through.
From practice test 5 of our CRCST study guide (question 131). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 9Medium
The pericardium is a membrane that wraps around the heart. The prefix peri- in pericardium means:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Around
The prefix peri- means around, so pericardium is the membrane around the heart. Endo- is inside, trans- is through, sub- is under.
From practice test 7 of our CRCST study guide (question 33). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 10Easy
Which suffix indicates cutting into an organ or tissue?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. -otomy
-otomy means cutting into, as in tracheotomy (cutting into the trachea). -ectomy is removal, -ostomy is creating an opening, and -oplasty is surgical repair.
From practice test 5 of our CRCST study guide (question 1). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 11Medium
In an orthopedic set, a clamp is labeled for use on the lateral side of the knee. The term 'lateral' means:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Away from the midline
Lateral means away from the midline; medial means toward the midline. Anterior and posterior refer to front and back.
From practice test 7 of our CRCST study guide (question 45). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 12Easy
A patient is scheduled for a tracheotomy. Based on the suffix -otomy, what does this procedure involve?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Incision into the trachea
The suffix -otomy means cutting into or incision, so tracheotomy is an incision into the trachea. -ectomy is removal, -ostomy is creating an opening, and -oscopy is examination.
From practice test 7 of our CRCST study guide (question 149). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 13Medium
A central service technician is processing an endotracheal tube after use. Based on the prefix 'endo-' and the tube's contact with respiratory mucosa, what level of disinfection is required?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. High-level disinfection
The prefix 'endo-' means inside or within, and an endotracheal tube contacts respiratory mucosa, which requires high-level disinfection to eliminate pathogens. Sterilization is not mandatory for this device.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 60). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 14Easy
Which prefix means three in medical terminology?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Tri-
Tri- means three, as in trigone (triangular area) or trifurcation.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 87). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 15Medium
A colostomy involves creating a permanent opening between the colon and the abdominal wall. Which suffix describes this procedure?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. -ostomy
The suffix -ostomy means creating a permanent opening, as in colostomy. -ectomy is removal, -otomy is incision, and -oscopy is visual examination.
From practice test 7 of our CRCST study guide (question 31). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 16Easy
The prefix 'bi-' indicates:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Two
The prefix 'bi-' means two, as in bilateral (two sides) or bicuspid (two cusps). 'Mono-' means one, 'tri-' means three, and 'quadri-' means four.
From practice test 4 of our CRCST study guide (question 145). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 17Medium
A technician is cleaning a pericardial drain. Understanding the prefix 'peri-', which of the following is most important during processing?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Careful lumen cleaning is needed because the drain traverses the pericardium.
The prefix 'peri-' means around, so a pericardial drain passes through the pericardium, a serous membrane; lumens must be thoroughly cleaned to remove debris. The other options underestimate the cleaning requirement.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 69). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 18Hard
A transurethral resection (TUR) involves passing an instrument through the urethra. The prefix trans- indicates:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Across or through
The prefix trans- means across or through, as in transurethral (through the urethra). Supra- means above, sub- means under, contra- means against.
From practice test 7 of our CRCST study guide (question 99). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 19Medium
A technician is processing a gastropexy set. The suffix '-pexy' indicates surgical fixation. Compared to a general instrument set, what is a notable characteristic of the suture needles in a gastropexy set?
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Correct answer: B. They are finer and often used with needle holders having tungsten carbide inserts.
Gastropexy involves suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall, requiring finer needles; accordingly, needle holders often have tungsten carbide inserts for precise handling. Larger needles are not needed because the stomach is not exceptionally thick.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 12). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 20Easy
A central service technician is processing instruments from a total knee arthroplasty set. The suffix '-plasty' indicates surgical repair. Which of the following is a critical rule regarding implants in arthroplasty sets?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Implants from different arthroplasty sets must never be mixed.
Arthroplasty ('-plasty' meaning repair) involves joint replacement, and each set contains dedicated implants that are specific to that procedure. Mixing implants can lead to improper fit and failure. The other options are not the critical rule about mixing.
From practice test 8 of our CRCST study guide (question 2). Original question, not an official exam item.
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