You are three months away from your certification exam. You are standing at the back table in the operating room for the first time when the surgeon suddenly asks for an instrument you have never heard of.

Surgical technology students and working scrub techs face a common problem. Most textbooks explain sterile procedures and theory, but they do not spend enough time teaching the quick instrument recognition, positioning decisions, and counting skills that are essential in the operating room. Many reference books written for nurses also do not fully explain the role of the surgical technologist.

Because of this, there can be a big difference between passing the certification exam and feeling confident while working at the operating table. This knowledge gap can make it harder for new surgical technologists to succeed in their first jobs.

The 2026 edition of this book is designed to help close that gap. It contains 25 chapters written by board-certified author Colin R. Bramfield, CST, MD. The book covers the entire surgical process, including:

Infection prevention, aseptic techniques, and sterilization
Surgical instruments, their classifications, and proper handling
Surgical gowning and gloving
Proper patient positioning
Basic anesthesia information for the sterile surgical team
Controlling bleeding and suturing
General surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery
Neurosurgery
Obstetric surgery

The book also includes Clinical Decision Point sections that explain how to make decisions during real operating-room situations. Short comparison tables help you troubleshoot problems quickly, while quick-reference sections highlight important numbers and facts that you need to remember.

The book includes:

More than 50 clinical illustrations showing clearly labeled anatomy and surgical instruments
Clinical Decision Point sections, differential-diagnosis tables, and quick-reference information
A certification and career-development chapter based on current CST exam content
A companion QR-code video course with more than 100 verified instructional videos

Whether you are studying for the NBSTSA certification exam, preparing for your first operating-room rotation, or reviewing your surgical-instrument knowledge after being away from the operating room for several years, this book is designed to help you build the knowledge, decision-making skills, and practical confidence you need to work effectively in the operating room from day one.