Surgical Tech Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is threading. In the context of surgical procedures that involve placing screws, threading is the step where a path is created for the screw by forming threads within a previously drilled hole. This allows the screw to engage properly with the bone or material, ensuring stability and support for various implants or hardware.

Threading typically follows the drilling process, where a pilot hole is initially created. The use of a tap, which is a tool designed for this purpose, creates precise threads that match the screw's design, providing a robust connection. This step is crucial for achieving the desired fixation strength and ensuring the screw is secure within the anatomical structure.

While reaming is associated with widening or shaping a drilled hole, and drilling involves creating the initial hole itself, threading specifically focuses on preparing the hole to accept a screw, making it a vital step in orthopedic and other surgical procedures that rely on screw fixation.