2026/2027
ABSA (American Board of Surgical
Assistant) Exam Preparation Test
Bank 2026/2027 Advanced Review
Manual with Mock Exams, Quizzes,
and Clinical Practice Questions
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing musculoskeletal anatomy. Which structure is responsible for
attaching muscle to bone?
A. Ligaments
B. Tendons
C. Cartilage
D. Fascia
Correct Answer: B. Tendons
Rationale: Tendons are strong, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscle to bone,
enabling movement by transmitting muscular force. Ligaments, on the other hand,
connect bone to bone and provide joint stability. Cartilage provides cushioning at
joint surfaces, while fascia surrounds muscles and other structures but does not
directly attach muscle to bone.
Question 2
A patient with a fracture shows poor healing, and imaging reveals that the bone ends
have become hardened and resistant to normal healing. This condition is best
described as:
A. Delayed union
B. Non-union
C. Malunion
D. Greenstick fracture
Correct Answer: B. Non-union
Rationale: Non-union occurs when a fractured bone fails to heal properly, often
resulting in sclerotic bone ends that are resistant to healing. Delayed union refers to
slow but ongoing healing. Malunion refers to healing in an incorrect position.
Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures typically seen in children.
,2026/2027
Question 3
Plaster of Paris is not mixed with water above room temperature (70–75°F) because
the setting reaction is:
A. Endothermic
B. Isothermal
C. Exothermic
D. Catalytic
Correct Answer: C. Exothermic
Rationale: The setting of plaster of Paris is an exothermic reaction, meaning it
releases heat during hardening. Using warm water can increase heat production
excessively, potentially causing skin burns. Endothermic reactions absorb heat, which
is not applicable here.
Question 4
A bone graft taken from a patient’s own tibia and fixed across a non-united fracture
site is called:
A. Allograft
B. Xenograft
C. Autogenous cortical graft
D. Synthetic graft
Correct Answer: C. Autogenous cortical graft
Rationale: An autogenous graft is harvested from the same individual, reducing
rejection risk. Cortical bone grafts provide structural support. Allografts come from
another human donor, xenografts from animals, and synthetic grafts are artificial
substitutes.
Question 5
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist resulting in numbness and tingling is
known as:
A. Ulnar neuropathy
B. Radial tunnel syndrome
C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
D. Cubital tunnel syndrome
Correct Answer: C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
,2026/2027
Rationale: Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve
within the carpal tunnel at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the
hand. Ulnar neuropathy affects the ulnar nerve, radial tunnel syndrome affects the
radial nerve, and cubital tunnel syndrome involves the elbow region.
Question 6
A synovial-lined structure that reduces friction between muscles, tendons, and bones
is called:
A. Bursa
B. Ligament
C. Tendon sheath
D. Fascia
Correct Answer: A. Bursa
Rationale: A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac lined with synovial membrane that
reduces friction between moving structures such as tendons and bones. Ligaments
connect bones, tendon sheaths surround tendons, and fascia is connective tissue that
envelops muscles.
Question 7
The first stage in fracture healing is formation of:
A. Callus
B. Granulation tissue
C. Blood clot (hematoma)
D. Ossified bone
Correct Answer: C. Blood clot (hematoma)
Rationale: Fracture healing begins with hematoma formation at the injury site. This is
followed by granulation tissue formation, callus formation, and eventual ossification.
Each stage is essential for proper bone repair.
Question 8
Common name for hallux valgus is:
A. Hammer toe
B. Bunions
C. Club foot
D. Flat foot
Correct Answer: B. Bunions
, 2026/2027
Rationale: Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe that deviates laterally,
commonly known as bunions. It is often associated with pain and difficulty wearing
shoes.
Question 9
A slipped femoral epiphysis is most commonly seen in:
A. Elderly patients
B. Obese children
C. Athletes only
D. Postmenopausal women
Correct Answer: B. Obese children
Rationale: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis typically occurs in obese adolescents and
children during growth spurts, affecting the femoral head at the growth plate.
Question 10
Which surgical procedure is used to remove infected bone fragments in chronic
osteomyelitis?
A. Arthroplasty
B. Sequestrectomy
C. Osteotomy
D. Synovectomy
Correct Answer: B. Sequestrectomy
Rationale: Sequestrectomy involves removal of dead bone (sequestrum) in chronic
osteomyelitis. Saucerization may also be performed to create drainage. Arthroplasty
replaces a joint, osteotomy involves bone cutting, and synovectomy removes synovial
tissue.
Question 11
Intramedullary rods are most commonly used in:
A. Small joint fractures
B. Shaft fractures of long bones
C. Skull fractures
D. Rib fractures only
Correct Answer: B. Shaft fractures of long bones
ABSA (American Board of Surgical
Assistant) Exam Preparation Test
Bank 2026/2027 Advanced Review
Manual with Mock Exams, Quizzes,
and Clinical Practice Questions
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing musculoskeletal anatomy. Which structure is responsible for
attaching muscle to bone?
A. Ligaments
B. Tendons
C. Cartilage
D. Fascia
Correct Answer: B. Tendons
Rationale: Tendons are strong, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscle to bone,
enabling movement by transmitting muscular force. Ligaments, on the other hand,
connect bone to bone and provide joint stability. Cartilage provides cushioning at
joint surfaces, while fascia surrounds muscles and other structures but does not
directly attach muscle to bone.
Question 2
A patient with a fracture shows poor healing, and imaging reveals that the bone ends
have become hardened and resistant to normal healing. This condition is best
described as:
A. Delayed union
B. Non-union
C. Malunion
D. Greenstick fracture
Correct Answer: B. Non-union
Rationale: Non-union occurs when a fractured bone fails to heal properly, often
resulting in sclerotic bone ends that are resistant to healing. Delayed union refers to
slow but ongoing healing. Malunion refers to healing in an incorrect position.
Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures typically seen in children.
,2026/2027
Question 3
Plaster of Paris is not mixed with water above room temperature (70–75°F) because
the setting reaction is:
A. Endothermic
B. Isothermal
C. Exothermic
D. Catalytic
Correct Answer: C. Exothermic
Rationale: The setting of plaster of Paris is an exothermic reaction, meaning it
releases heat during hardening. Using warm water can increase heat production
excessively, potentially causing skin burns. Endothermic reactions absorb heat, which
is not applicable here.
Question 4
A bone graft taken from a patient’s own tibia and fixed across a non-united fracture
site is called:
A. Allograft
B. Xenograft
C. Autogenous cortical graft
D. Synthetic graft
Correct Answer: C. Autogenous cortical graft
Rationale: An autogenous graft is harvested from the same individual, reducing
rejection risk. Cortical bone grafts provide structural support. Allografts come from
another human donor, xenografts from animals, and synthetic grafts are artificial
substitutes.
Question 5
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist resulting in numbness and tingling is
known as:
A. Ulnar neuropathy
B. Radial tunnel syndrome
C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
D. Cubital tunnel syndrome
Correct Answer: C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
,2026/2027
Rationale: Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve
within the carpal tunnel at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the
hand. Ulnar neuropathy affects the ulnar nerve, radial tunnel syndrome affects the
radial nerve, and cubital tunnel syndrome involves the elbow region.
Question 6
A synovial-lined structure that reduces friction between muscles, tendons, and bones
is called:
A. Bursa
B. Ligament
C. Tendon sheath
D. Fascia
Correct Answer: A. Bursa
Rationale: A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac lined with synovial membrane that
reduces friction between moving structures such as tendons and bones. Ligaments
connect bones, tendon sheaths surround tendons, and fascia is connective tissue that
envelops muscles.
Question 7
The first stage in fracture healing is formation of:
A. Callus
B. Granulation tissue
C. Blood clot (hematoma)
D. Ossified bone
Correct Answer: C. Blood clot (hematoma)
Rationale: Fracture healing begins with hematoma formation at the injury site. This is
followed by granulation tissue formation, callus formation, and eventual ossification.
Each stage is essential for proper bone repair.
Question 8
Common name for hallux valgus is:
A. Hammer toe
B. Bunions
C. Club foot
D. Flat foot
Correct Answer: B. Bunions
, 2026/2027
Rationale: Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe that deviates laterally,
commonly known as bunions. It is often associated with pain and difficulty wearing
shoes.
Question 9
A slipped femoral epiphysis is most commonly seen in:
A. Elderly patients
B. Obese children
C. Athletes only
D. Postmenopausal women
Correct Answer: B. Obese children
Rationale: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis typically occurs in obese adolescents and
children during growth spurts, affecting the femoral head at the growth plate.
Question 10
Which surgical procedure is used to remove infected bone fragments in chronic
osteomyelitis?
A. Arthroplasty
B. Sequestrectomy
C. Osteotomy
D. Synovectomy
Correct Answer: B. Sequestrectomy
Rationale: Sequestrectomy involves removal of dead bone (sequestrum) in chronic
osteomyelitis. Saucerization may also be performed to create drainage. Arthroplasty
replaces a joint, osteotomy involves bone cutting, and synovectomy removes synovial
tissue.
Question 11
Intramedullary rods are most commonly used in:
A. Small joint fractures
B. Shaft fractures of long bones
C. Skull fractures
D. Rib fractures only
Correct Answer: B. Shaft fractures of long bones
