COMPREHENSIVE SURGICAL
ASSISTANTS CERTIFICATION EXAM
REVIEW GUIDE
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination-for-Surgical-Assistants?---ans-
✔✔To-assess-knowledge-and-skills-relevant-to-surgical-assistance.
How-many-questions-are-on-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-✔✔150-multiple-
choice-and-true/false-questions.
What-are-the-main-topics-covered-in-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-
✔✔General-Surgery,-Gynecological-Surgery,-Urological-Surgery,-Cardio-thoracic-
Surgery,-Orthopedic-Surgery,-Neurological-Surgery,-Robotics-Surgery,-EKG-
Interpretation,-Laboratory-Data,-Radiological-Interpretations,-Microbiology,-
Pharmacology,-General-Operating-Room-Knowledge,-Basic-Surgical-Instrumentation.
What-is-included-in-the-General-Surgery-section-of-the-examination?---ans-✔✔Surgical-
Anatomy,-Surgical-Procedures,-Surgical-&-Procedural-Terminology.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-included-in-the-General-Surgery-section?---ans-
✔✔Cholecystectomy,-Gastrectomy,-Appendectomy,-Hernia-Repairs.
What-is-normal-sinus-rhythm?---ans-✔✔The-rhythm-of-a-healthy-heart,-typically-60-to-100-
beats-per-minute.
What-defines-sinus-tachycardia?---ans-✔✔A-heart-rate-greater-than-100-beats-per-
minute.
What-is-sinus-bradycardia?---ans-✔✔A-type-of-slow-heartbeat-with-a-rate-less-than-60-
beats-per-minute.
What-occurs-during-ventricular-fibrillation?---ans-✔✔The-heart-beats-with-rapid,-erratic-
electrical-impulses,-causing-the-ventricles-to-quiver-instead-of-pumping-blood.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-hand-scrub-by-the-surgical-team?---ans-✔✔To-render-their-
skin-surgically-clean.
,What-should-not-be-considered-sterile-after-steam-sterilization?---ans-✔✔Suction-tips-
attached-to-tubing,-Asepto-syringes-with-bulbs-attached,-Cautery-tips-bound-with-rubber-
bands.
What-is-the-preferred-method-of-gloving-to-reduce-contamination?---ans-✔✔Closed-
gloving.
What-is-the-incorrect-directive-for-loading-a-pressure-steam-sterilizer?---ans-✔✔Load-
liquids-first-to-prevent-spillage-on-packs.
What-does-the-presence-of-one-living-microorganism-indicate-about-an-object?---ans-
✔✔It-is-contaminated.
What-is-the-definition-of-asepsis?---ans-✔✔The-absence-of-bacteria,-viruses,-and-other-
microorganisms.
What-is-the-role-of-the-scrub-nurse-in-draping-a-table?---ans-✔✔To-drape-from-back-to-
front,-protecting-her-gloves.
What-is-the-significance-of-the-inside-of-wrapper-edges-in-sterilization?---ans-✔✔They-are-
considered-sterile.
What-should-be-done-if-there-is-doubt-about-the-sterility-of-an-item?---ans-✔✔Consider-it-
not-sterile.
What-is-the-heart-rate-range-for-normal-sinus-rhythm-in-adults?---ans-✔✔60-to-100-beats-
per-minute.
What-are-the-components-of-surgical-anatomy-in-urological-surgery?---ans-✔✔Kidneys,-
Ureters,-Bladder,-Prostate,-External-Genitalia.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-in-urological-surgery?---ans-✔✔Bladder-
Catheterization,-Bladder-Suspensions,-Nephrectomy,-Renal-Transplantation.
What-are-the-critical-values-in-laboratory-data?---ans-✔✔Serum-Potassium,-Oxygen-
Saturation.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-EKG-interpretation-section?---ans-✔✔To-assess-heart-
rhythms-and-identify-arrhythmias.
What-are-some-examples-of-antibiotics-listed-in-pharmacology?---ans-✔✔Bacitracin,-
Ancef-(cefazolin).
What-is-the-role-of-personal-protection-in-the-operating-room?---ans-✔✔To-ensure-safety-
and-prevent-contamination.
, What-is-included-in-the-surgical-anatomy-of-cardio-thoracic-surgery?---ans-✔✔Sternum,-
Diaphragm,-Heart.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-in-cardio-thoracic-surgery?---ans-✔✔Mitral-&-Aortic-
Valve-Replacement,-Coronary-Artery-Bypass-Graft.
What-is-the-definition-of-sterilization?---ans-✔✔The-process-of-making-an-object-free-from-
all-living-microorganisms.
What-is-the-importance-of-understanding-surgical-instrumentation?---ans-✔✔To-ensure-
proper-use-and-handling-during-surgical-procedures.
What-is-the-significance-of-patient-safety-in-the-operating-room?---ans-✔✔To-minimize-
risks-and-ensure-the-well-being-of-patients.
What-are-some-examples-of-surgical-&-procedural-terminology?---ans-✔✔Terms-used-to-
describe-surgical-procedures-and-instruments.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-review-guide-for-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-
✔✔To-provide-a-knowledge-base-for-examination-preparation.
What-is-the-significance-of-the-examination-being-designed-to-be-passed?---ans-✔✔It-
indicates-that-the-questions-are-meant-to-assess-knowledge-rather-than-trick-candidates.
What-should-be-considered-not-sterile-if-in-doubt?---ans-✔✔Anything-that-is-uncertain-
about-sterility.
What-is-sterile-when-handling-wrappers?---ans-✔✔The-inside-of-wrapper-edges.
What-must-sterile-persons-avoid?---ans-✔✔Leaning-over-unsterile-areas.
What-should-a-sterile-person-do-when-passing-an-unsterile-area?---ans-✔✔Turn-their-
back-to-the-unsterile-area.
How-should-a-prep-site-with-a-colostomy-be-scrubbed?---ans-✔✔Last-with-sponges-used-
once-and-discarded.
What-should-operating-room-floors-be-flooded-with-at-the-end-of-each-day?---ans-
✔✔Detergent-germicide.
What-are-potential-sources-for-surgical-infection?---ans-✔✔Circulating-air,-patient's-
bronchial-tree,-scrub-team's-hair,-patient's-circulating-blood,-instruments,-patient's-and-
scrub-team's-skin.
Which-statement-regarding-the-use-of-masks-is-false?---ans-✔✔Cross-strings-behind-the-
head-for-better-aeration.
ASSISTANTS CERTIFICATION EXAM
REVIEW GUIDE
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination-for-Surgical-Assistants?---ans-
✔✔To-assess-knowledge-and-skills-relevant-to-surgical-assistance.
How-many-questions-are-on-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-✔✔150-multiple-
choice-and-true/false-questions.
What-are-the-main-topics-covered-in-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-
✔✔General-Surgery,-Gynecological-Surgery,-Urological-Surgery,-Cardio-thoracic-
Surgery,-Orthopedic-Surgery,-Neurological-Surgery,-Robotics-Surgery,-EKG-
Interpretation,-Laboratory-Data,-Radiological-Interpretations,-Microbiology,-
Pharmacology,-General-Operating-Room-Knowledge,-Basic-Surgical-Instrumentation.
What-is-included-in-the-General-Surgery-section-of-the-examination?---ans-✔✔Surgical-
Anatomy,-Surgical-Procedures,-Surgical-&-Procedural-Terminology.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-included-in-the-General-Surgery-section?---ans-
✔✔Cholecystectomy,-Gastrectomy,-Appendectomy,-Hernia-Repairs.
What-is-normal-sinus-rhythm?---ans-✔✔The-rhythm-of-a-healthy-heart,-typically-60-to-100-
beats-per-minute.
What-defines-sinus-tachycardia?---ans-✔✔A-heart-rate-greater-than-100-beats-per-
minute.
What-is-sinus-bradycardia?---ans-✔✔A-type-of-slow-heartbeat-with-a-rate-less-than-60-
beats-per-minute.
What-occurs-during-ventricular-fibrillation?---ans-✔✔The-heart-beats-with-rapid,-erratic-
electrical-impulses,-causing-the-ventricles-to-quiver-instead-of-pumping-blood.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-hand-scrub-by-the-surgical-team?---ans-✔✔To-render-their-
skin-surgically-clean.
,What-should-not-be-considered-sterile-after-steam-sterilization?---ans-✔✔Suction-tips-
attached-to-tubing,-Asepto-syringes-with-bulbs-attached,-Cautery-tips-bound-with-rubber-
bands.
What-is-the-preferred-method-of-gloving-to-reduce-contamination?---ans-✔✔Closed-
gloving.
What-is-the-incorrect-directive-for-loading-a-pressure-steam-sterilizer?---ans-✔✔Load-
liquids-first-to-prevent-spillage-on-packs.
What-does-the-presence-of-one-living-microorganism-indicate-about-an-object?---ans-
✔✔It-is-contaminated.
What-is-the-definition-of-asepsis?---ans-✔✔The-absence-of-bacteria,-viruses,-and-other-
microorganisms.
What-is-the-role-of-the-scrub-nurse-in-draping-a-table?---ans-✔✔To-drape-from-back-to-
front,-protecting-her-gloves.
What-is-the-significance-of-the-inside-of-wrapper-edges-in-sterilization?---ans-✔✔They-are-
considered-sterile.
What-should-be-done-if-there-is-doubt-about-the-sterility-of-an-item?---ans-✔✔Consider-it-
not-sterile.
What-is-the-heart-rate-range-for-normal-sinus-rhythm-in-adults?---ans-✔✔60-to-100-beats-
per-minute.
What-are-the-components-of-surgical-anatomy-in-urological-surgery?---ans-✔✔Kidneys,-
Ureters,-Bladder,-Prostate,-External-Genitalia.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-in-urological-surgery?---ans-✔✔Bladder-
Catheterization,-Bladder-Suspensions,-Nephrectomy,-Renal-Transplantation.
What-are-the-critical-values-in-laboratory-data?---ans-✔✔Serum-Potassium,-Oxygen-
Saturation.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-EKG-interpretation-section?---ans-✔✔To-assess-heart-
rhythms-and-identify-arrhythmias.
What-are-some-examples-of-antibiotics-listed-in-pharmacology?---ans-✔✔Bacitracin,-
Ancef-(cefazolin).
What-is-the-role-of-personal-protection-in-the-operating-room?---ans-✔✔To-ensure-safety-
and-prevent-contamination.
, What-is-included-in-the-surgical-anatomy-of-cardio-thoracic-surgery?---ans-✔✔Sternum,-
Diaphragm,-Heart.
What-are-some-surgical-procedures-in-cardio-thoracic-surgery?---ans-✔✔Mitral-&-Aortic-
Valve-Replacement,-Coronary-Artery-Bypass-Graft.
What-is-the-definition-of-sterilization?---ans-✔✔The-process-of-making-an-object-free-from-
all-living-microorganisms.
What-is-the-importance-of-understanding-surgical-instrumentation?---ans-✔✔To-ensure-
proper-use-and-handling-during-surgical-procedures.
What-is-the-significance-of-patient-safety-in-the-operating-room?---ans-✔✔To-minimize-
risks-and-ensure-the-well-being-of-patients.
What-are-some-examples-of-surgical-&-procedural-terminology?---ans-✔✔Terms-used-to-
describe-surgical-procedures-and-instruments.
What-is-the-purpose-of-the-review-guide-for-the-ABSA-Certification-Examination?---ans-
✔✔To-provide-a-knowledge-base-for-examination-preparation.
What-is-the-significance-of-the-examination-being-designed-to-be-passed?---ans-✔✔It-
indicates-that-the-questions-are-meant-to-assess-knowledge-rather-than-trick-candidates.
What-should-be-considered-not-sterile-if-in-doubt?---ans-✔✔Anything-that-is-uncertain-
about-sterility.
What-is-sterile-when-handling-wrappers?---ans-✔✔The-inside-of-wrapper-edges.
What-must-sterile-persons-avoid?---ans-✔✔Leaning-over-unsterile-areas.
What-should-a-sterile-person-do-when-passing-an-unsterile-area?---ans-✔✔Turn-their-
back-to-the-unsterile-area.
How-should-a-prep-site-with-a-colostomy-be-scrubbed?---ans-✔✔Last-with-sponges-used-
once-and-discarded.
What-should-operating-room-floors-be-flooded-with-at-the-end-of-each-day?---ans-
✔✔Detergent-germicide.
What-are-potential-sources-for-surgical-infection?---ans-✔✔Circulating-air,-patient's-
bronchial-tree,-scrub-team's-hair,-patient's-circulating-blood,-instruments,-patient's-and-
scrub-team's-skin.
Which-statement-regarding-the-use-of-masks-is-false?---ans-✔✔Cross-strings-behind-the-
head-for-better-aeration.
