ABSA (American Board of Surgical
Assistant) Exam Test Bank | 360
Questions with Verified Answers | Latest
2025/2026 Update.
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE – PREOPERATIVE
PREPARATION (Questions 1-60)
Aseptic Technique & Sterile Field (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which principle of sterile technique is correctly stated?
A) Sterile items may touch non-sterile surfaces if they are covered
with a sterile drape
B) Sterile fields must be maintained above waist level at all times
C) Once a sterile field is established, it may be left unattended
D) Any moisture on the sterile field is acceptable as long as it is clear
Correct Answer: B) Sterile fields must be maintained above waist
level at all times
Rationale: The sterile field must be maintained above waist level;
anything below this level is considered contaminated. Sterile items
must never touch non-sterile surfaces. Unattended sterile fields
cannot be guaranteed sterile, and any moisture can wick bacteria
through the drape by capillary action .
,Question 2
When performing a surgical hand scrub, the purpose is to:
A) Sterilize the hands and forearms
B) Remove transient microorganisms and reduce resident flora
C) Eliminate all microorganisms from the skin surface
D) Create a barrier against bacterial contamination
Correct Answer: B) Remove transient microorganisms and reduce
resident flora
Rationale: The surgical hand scrub reduces the number of
microorganisms on the skin, removes dirt and debris, and inhibits
bacterial growth for the duration of the surgical procedure. It does
not sterilize the hands, as complete sterilization of skin is impossible
.
Question 3
Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive
instruments?
A) Steam sterilization (autoclave)
B) Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Boiling water
Correct Answer: B) Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization
,Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a low-temperature sterilization
method suitable for heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments such as
cameras, fiberoptic cables, and some plastics. Steam sterilization is
used for heat-stable items; dry heat requires high temperatures that
damage sensitive equipment .
Question 4
The surgical time-out must include verification of all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Correct patient identity
B) Correct surgical site and procedure
C) Surgeon's fee schedule
D) Availability of necessary implants and equipment
Correct Answer: C) Surgeon's fee schedule
Rationale: The surgical time-out includes verification of correct
patient identity, surgical site and procedure, availability of implants,
required instruments, and any patient-specific concerns. Financial
matters are not part of the time-out process .
Question 5
A break in sterile technique occurs when:
A) The sterile field is established 15 minutes before the case
B) A sterile team member turns their back to the sterile field
, C) A non-sterile team member passes a sterile item to the field
D) The circulating nurse opens a sterile package onto the field
Correct Answer: B) A sterile team member turns their back to the
sterile field
Rationale: Any movement that causes a team member to turn their
back to the sterile field may result in contamination because the
sterile field cannot be directly observed. Other breaks include
reaching over the field, field becoming wet, or anyone talking over
the field .
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT a correct method for opening sterile
supplies?
A) Opening the inner wrapper and allowing the item to drop onto the
sterile field
B) Opening the outer wrapper away from the body
C) Tossing the sterile item from several feet away onto the field
D) Ensuring the sterile item is placed within the sterile field boundary
Correct Answer: C) Tossing the sterile item from several feet away
onto the field
Rationale: Sterile items should be opened and delivered to the sterile
field without being tossed across the field, which could cause
contamination. The item should be placed directly onto the field or
presented to the sterile team member.
Assistant) Exam Test Bank | 360
Questions with Verified Answers | Latest
2025/2026 Update.
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE – PREOPERATIVE
PREPARATION (Questions 1-60)
Aseptic Technique & Sterile Field (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which principle of sterile technique is correctly stated?
A) Sterile items may touch non-sterile surfaces if they are covered
with a sterile drape
B) Sterile fields must be maintained above waist level at all times
C) Once a sterile field is established, it may be left unattended
D) Any moisture on the sterile field is acceptable as long as it is clear
Correct Answer: B) Sterile fields must be maintained above waist
level at all times
Rationale: The sterile field must be maintained above waist level;
anything below this level is considered contaminated. Sterile items
must never touch non-sterile surfaces. Unattended sterile fields
cannot be guaranteed sterile, and any moisture can wick bacteria
through the drape by capillary action .
,Question 2
When performing a surgical hand scrub, the purpose is to:
A) Sterilize the hands and forearms
B) Remove transient microorganisms and reduce resident flora
C) Eliminate all microorganisms from the skin surface
D) Create a barrier against bacterial contamination
Correct Answer: B) Remove transient microorganisms and reduce
resident flora
Rationale: The surgical hand scrub reduces the number of
microorganisms on the skin, removes dirt and debris, and inhibits
bacterial growth for the duration of the surgical procedure. It does
not sterilize the hands, as complete sterilization of skin is impossible
.
Question 3
Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive
instruments?
A) Steam sterilization (autoclave)
B) Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization
C) Dry heat sterilization
D) Boiling water
Correct Answer: B) Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization
,Rationale: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a low-temperature sterilization
method suitable for heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments such as
cameras, fiberoptic cables, and some plastics. Steam sterilization is
used for heat-stable items; dry heat requires high temperatures that
damage sensitive equipment .
Question 4
The surgical time-out must include verification of all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Correct patient identity
B) Correct surgical site and procedure
C) Surgeon's fee schedule
D) Availability of necessary implants and equipment
Correct Answer: C) Surgeon's fee schedule
Rationale: The surgical time-out includes verification of correct
patient identity, surgical site and procedure, availability of implants,
required instruments, and any patient-specific concerns. Financial
matters are not part of the time-out process .
Question 5
A break in sterile technique occurs when:
A) The sterile field is established 15 minutes before the case
B) A sterile team member turns their back to the sterile field
, C) A non-sterile team member passes a sterile item to the field
D) The circulating nurse opens a sterile package onto the field
Correct Answer: B) A sterile team member turns their back to the
sterile field
Rationale: Any movement that causes a team member to turn their
back to the sterile field may result in contamination because the
sterile field cannot be directly observed. Other breaks include
reaching over the field, field becoming wet, or anyone talking over
the field .
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT a correct method for opening sterile
supplies?
A) Opening the inner wrapper and allowing the item to drop onto the
sterile field
B) Opening the outer wrapper away from the body
C) Tossing the sterile item from several feet away onto the field
D) Ensuring the sterile item is placed within the sterile field boundary
Correct Answer: C) Tossing the sterile item from several feet away
onto the field
Rationale: Sterile items should be opened and delivered to the sterile
field without being tossed across the field, which could cause
contamination. The item should be placed directly onto the field or
presented to the sterile team member.
