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Key Facts: CSIS Exam

100

Total Items

CBSPD CSIS

2 hrs

Exam Time

CBSPD

$135

Exam Fee

CBSPD

CSPDT

Required First

Plus 24 months of OR instrument processing or another listed route

CBSPD CSIS is the surgical instrument specialist credential for technicians who already hold CBSPD's CSPDT. 100 questions, 2 hours, $135, passing scaled score 70. Master instrument identification (Kelly/Crile/Mosquito/Mayo/Allis/Babcock; Mayo/Metzenbaum scissors; Weitlaner/Balfour/Bookwalter retractors; Mayo-Hegar/Castroviejo needle holders), gauze sharpness test, ratchet check, lap insulation testing, marking tape, and loaner set inspection and documentation.

Sample CSIS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CSIS exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 156+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which hemostatic clamp is the smallest and is most commonly used to clamp small vessels in delicate or pediatric procedures?

A.Mosquito (Halsted)

B.Kelly

C.Mayo

D.Kocher

Explanation: Mosquito (Halsted) hemostats are the smallest hemostatic clamps with fine, fully serrated jaws designed to occlude small vessels in delicate or pediatric work.

2What distinguishes a Kelly hemostat from a Crile hemostat?

A.Kelly has serrations only on the distal half of the jaws while Crile has full-length serrations

B.Kelly is fully serrated and Crile is partially serrated

C.Kelly has teeth at the tip and Crile does not

D.Kelly is straight only and Crile is curved only

Explanation: Kelly hemostats have transverse serrations only on the distal portion of the jaws, while Crile hemostats have serrations along the full length of the jaws. Both come in straight and curved versions.

3Which clamp has heavy, perpendicular jaw teeth (1x2) and is used to grasp dense, slippery tissue such as fascia?

A.Kocher (Ochsner)

B.Babcock

C.Allis

D.Crile

Explanation: The Kocher (Ochsner) clamp has heavy interlocking teeth at the tip in a 1x2 pattern, allowing a secure grip on tough, slippery tissue like fascia.

4Which tissue forceps clamp has fenestrated, atraumatic jaws used for grasping bowel and other delicate hollow structures?

A.Babcock

B.Allis

C.Kocher

D.Mayo

Explanation: Babcock clamps have a triangular, fenestrated atraumatic tip that cradles delicate structures like bowel without crushing them.

5Mayo dissecting scissors are typically used for what purpose?

A.Cutting heavy tissue, fascia, and sutures

B.Delicate dissection of fine vessels and tissue planes

C.Microsurgical work on the eye

D.Cutting suture only inside a wound

Explanation: Mayo scissors have heavy, beveled blades designed for cutting tough tissue, fascia, and heavy sutures.

6Which scissor is most often used for delicate dissection of fine tissue planes such as during bowel or vascular work?

A.Metzenbaum

B.Mayo

C.Stevens tenotomy

D.Bandage

Explanation: Metzenbaum scissors have long handles with relatively short, slim blades, ideal for delicate dissection of fine tissue planes.

7Iris scissors are most associated with which surgical specialty?

A.Ophthalmic and microsurgical procedures

B.Orthopedic procedures

C.General abdominal procedures

D.Open cardiac surgery

Explanation: Iris scissors are small, sharp-pointed scissors originally designed for eye surgery and other delicate microsurgical applications.

8Which retractor is a self-retaining retractor commonly found in superficial wound and orthopedic sets?

A.Weitlaner

B.Army-Navy

C.Senn

D.Deaver

Explanation: Weitlaner retractors are self-retaining retractors with sharp or blunt prongs used to hold open superficial incisions in orthopedic and general procedures.

9Which retractor is a self-retaining frame retractor commonly used to hold open the abdomen during pelvic surgery?

A.Balfour

B.Army-Navy

C.Richardson

D.Malleable

Explanation: The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining retractor with adjustable lateral blades and a center blade used to hold open the abdomen in pelvic and lower abdominal procedures.

10Bookwalter retractors are characterized by which design feature?

A.A modular ring frame with multiple attachable blades

B.A spring-loaded self-retaining frame with two ratcheted arms

C.A hand-held single blade with cushioned handle

D.A bendable malleable ribbon

Explanation: Bookwalter retractors use a modular ring frame attached to the OR table, with multiple blades that can be positioned around the ring as needed.

About the CSIS Exam

CBSPD advanced credential for certified sterile processing technicians who process surgical instruments. Covers instrument care, identification by proper name (general, laparoscopic, robotic, power and specialty instruments, and instrument anatomy), set assembly, inspection and safety testing (scissors, hinged instruments, insulation, marking tape, scopes and other specialty devices), loaner/implant sets, and ethics.

Exam sponsor: CBSPD. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score of 70

Exam / Certification Fees

$135

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

CBSPD CSIS Surgical Instrument Specialist

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Care of Surgical Instruments

Composition and finish (titanium, stainless steel), grades of stainless steel, and methods to prevent damage

34%

Identification of Surgical Instruments by Proper Name

General instruments, retractors, laparoscopic and robotic instruments, navigation and tracking systems, power equipment, specialty sets and instrument anatomy (jaws, shanks, box locks)

Components, Assembly and Configuration of Individual Sets

Instrument make-up for various sets and the names and uses of instruments

36%

Instrument Inspection and Safety Testing

Cleanliness inspection, testing scissors, hinged instruments, forceps and needle holders, laparoscopic function, insulation testing, marking tape and dipped handles, and specialty devices such as scopes, robotic instruments and power equipment

Loaner/Implant Sets and Components

Inspection, testing, set configuration and documentation of loaner instruments

10%

Ethics

Cleanliness and functionality of instruments, correct instrument on set, completeness of sets, and reporting instrument damage or abuse

Preparing for the CSIS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score of 70
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: $135 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 156 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
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CSIS: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize hemostat hierarchy: Mosquito (smallest) → Crile/Kelly (medium) → Mayo (heaviest)

2Distinguish Mayo (heavy/dissecting) from Metzenbaum (delicate dissection) scissors by handle:blade ratio

3Master 4-layer gauze sharpness test for Mayo scissors (cuts cleanly 2/3 down blade)

4Apply lap insulation testing before every use; failure = burn risk to non-target tissue

5Know loaner/implant set handling: inspection, testing, set configuration and documentation (8% of the exam)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you test scissor sharpness?

Mayo dissecting scissors should cleanly cut through 4 layers of gauze 2/3 down the blade. Smaller scissors (iris, Metzenbaum) tested per IFU — many use red Test-Tabs or paper-cutting tests. Replace scissors that fail sharpness testing rather than continuing to issue dull instruments. Document inspection in repair/replace log.

How is laparoscopic insulation tested?

Use a high-frequency insulation tester (e.g., InsulScan) per device IFU — runs current along the shaft and detects any breaks in the insulation coating. Insulation failure causes capacitive coupling burns to non-target tissue (often outside the surgeon visual field). Test BEFORE every use and after cleaning; remove from service if any defect detected.

What does brown vs blue staining mean?

Brown stain is typically from protein/iron residue (incomplete cleaning, mineral deposits, retained blood) or from chlorides in tap water. Blue/black stain often indicates retained cold-sterilant residue (glutaraldehyde, OPA), or from dissimilar metals in contact. Distinguish from genuine pitting (chloride attack) requiring instrument retirement. Run instrument through repeat cleaning and re-inspect.

How should I study for CBSPD CSIS?

Plan 40-60 hours over 6-8 weeks. Focus on instrument identification with photographs (Kelly vs Crile vs Mosquito differences in length and serration; Mayo vs Metzenbaum scissor differences), which is 34% of the exam. Master sharpness, ratchet and insulation testing, since inspection and safety testing is the largest area at 36%. Also review loaner set handling and the ethics duties; sterilization methods are not a separate CSIS content area.