ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION (SA-C) STUDY
GUIDE – QUESTION AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A surgical assistant is positioning a patient in the lithotomy position for a lower
abdominal laparoscopic procedure. Which of the following peripheral nerves is most at
risk for injury if the legs are lowered too quickly or improperly supported?
A. Sciatic nerve
B. Obturator nerve
C. Common peroneal nerve
D. Femoral nerve
The common peroneal nerve wraps superficially around the fibular neck and is highly
vulnerable to compression against stirrup bars or rapid, uncoordinated lowering of the legs.
Injury results in foot drop and paresthesias over the dorsum of the foot. Proper padding and
synchronous leg lowering by two team members mitigate this risk.
2. During an open exploratory laparotomy, the surgeon requests a self-retaining retractor
that provides broad, deep exposure of the abdominal wall. Which of the following
retractors is best suited for this requirement?
A. Richardson retractor
B. Balfour retractor
C. Senn retractor
D. Deaver retractor
The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining abdominal retractor equipped with lateral blades and
a central blade, designed specifically to maintain wide exposure of deep abdominal incisions
during laparotomies. Richardson and Deaver retractors are hand-held, and Senn retractors
are used for superficial shallow tissues.
3. A patient with a known history of severe latex allergy is scheduled for an elective
cholecystectomy. Which of the following preparatory actions is mandatory for the surgical
team prior to patient entry into the operating room?
,A. Administer prophylactic intravenous diphenhydramine 30 minutes prior to incision.
B. Ensure all latex-containing equipment, supplies, and stoppers are removed from the
room and latex-free alternatives are utilized.
C. Schedule the case as the last procedure of the day to allow for terminal room sterilization.
D. Wrap all exposed electrical cords in latex barrier sleeves.
True latex allergies require a completely latex-free environment to prevent life-threatening
anaphylaxis. Pretreatment with antihistamines is insufficient to prevent severe allergic
reactions in sensitized individuals. Eliminating exposure by removing all latex items is the
gold-standard protocol.
4. While preparing the sterile field for a contaminated bowel resection, the circulating
nurse accidentally splashes sterile saline outside the perimeter of the sterile basin, directly
onto an unsterile surface. What is the most appropriate action for the surgical assistant?
A. Wipe the moisture away with a sterile sponge and continue setup.
B. Consider the affected area contaminated, cover it with a sterile drape, or replace the
compromised component.
C. Ignore the splash since saline is sterile and non-reactive.
D. Spray the area with rapid-drying disinfectant aerosol.
Moisture acts as a wick that facilitates strike-through contamination from unsterile surfaces
to sterile drapes or fields. Any sterile area compromised by moisture splash must be treated as
contaminated to preserve aseptic technique.
5. During a thyroidectomy, the surgical assistant is tasked with identifying and preserving
the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Where is this nerve most commonly located relative to the
tracheoesophageal groove?
A. Anterior to the superior thyroid artery
B. Within the tracheoesophageal groove, posterior to the thyroid lobe
C. Lateral to the carotid sheath within the prevertebral fascia
D. Superficial to the platysma muscle layer
The recurrent laryngeal nerve typically runs in or near the tracheoesophageal groove as it
ascends to enter the larynx behind the cricothyroid muscle. Careful identification and
preservation are critical to prevent vocal cord paralysis and airway compromise.
, 6. A surgical assistant is scrubbing for a case and notices a small hole in their inner glove
after donning sterile gown and gloves. What is the immediate correct protocol?
A. Apply sterile surgical tape over the hole and proceed.
B. Step away from the sterile field, have the circulating nurse remove the gown and gloves,
perform a complete re-scrub, and don fresh sterile attire.
C. Remove the outer contaminated glove only, keeping the inner glove intact.
D. Continue the procedure but avoid handling sharp instruments.
Punctures or tears in sterile gloves compromise the aseptic barrier, necessitating immediate
replacement. Because the gown sleeves are also considered contaminated when gloves are
compromised, a full gown and glove change (or assisted regowning and gloving per facility
protocol) is required.
7. Which of the following surgical instruments is classified as a non-crushing intestinal
clamp designed to securely grasp bowel tissue without causing luminal trauma or ischemic
necrosis?
A. Kocher clamp
B. Allis clamp
C. Doyen clamp
D. Babcock clamp
The Babcock clamp features a smooth, fenestrated tip that grips delicate structures such as the
bowel, ureters, or fallopian tubes atraumatically. Conversely, Kocher clamps are crushing
clamps used on heavy fascia or tissues slated for removal, and Allis clamps have locking teeth
that can damage viable bowel wall.
8. In the management of a critically injured trauma patient presenting with a Class III
hemorrhage, what percentage of total blood volume loss is typically estimated?
A. Less than 15 percent
B. 15 to 30 percent
C. 30 to 40 percent
D. Greater than 40 percent
GUIDE – QUESTION AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A surgical assistant is positioning a patient in the lithotomy position for a lower
abdominal laparoscopic procedure. Which of the following peripheral nerves is most at
risk for injury if the legs are lowered too quickly or improperly supported?
A. Sciatic nerve
B. Obturator nerve
C. Common peroneal nerve
D. Femoral nerve
The common peroneal nerve wraps superficially around the fibular neck and is highly
vulnerable to compression against stirrup bars or rapid, uncoordinated lowering of the legs.
Injury results in foot drop and paresthesias over the dorsum of the foot. Proper padding and
synchronous leg lowering by two team members mitigate this risk.
2. During an open exploratory laparotomy, the surgeon requests a self-retaining retractor
that provides broad, deep exposure of the abdominal wall. Which of the following
retractors is best suited for this requirement?
A. Richardson retractor
B. Balfour retractor
C. Senn retractor
D. Deaver retractor
The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining abdominal retractor equipped with lateral blades and
a central blade, designed specifically to maintain wide exposure of deep abdominal incisions
during laparotomies. Richardson and Deaver retractors are hand-held, and Senn retractors
are used for superficial shallow tissues.
3. A patient with a known history of severe latex allergy is scheduled for an elective
cholecystectomy. Which of the following preparatory actions is mandatory for the surgical
team prior to patient entry into the operating room?
,A. Administer prophylactic intravenous diphenhydramine 30 minutes prior to incision.
B. Ensure all latex-containing equipment, supplies, and stoppers are removed from the
room and latex-free alternatives are utilized.
C. Schedule the case as the last procedure of the day to allow for terminal room sterilization.
D. Wrap all exposed electrical cords in latex barrier sleeves.
True latex allergies require a completely latex-free environment to prevent life-threatening
anaphylaxis. Pretreatment with antihistamines is insufficient to prevent severe allergic
reactions in sensitized individuals. Eliminating exposure by removing all latex items is the
gold-standard protocol.
4. While preparing the sterile field for a contaminated bowel resection, the circulating
nurse accidentally splashes sterile saline outside the perimeter of the sterile basin, directly
onto an unsterile surface. What is the most appropriate action for the surgical assistant?
A. Wipe the moisture away with a sterile sponge and continue setup.
B. Consider the affected area contaminated, cover it with a sterile drape, or replace the
compromised component.
C. Ignore the splash since saline is sterile and non-reactive.
D. Spray the area with rapid-drying disinfectant aerosol.
Moisture acts as a wick that facilitates strike-through contamination from unsterile surfaces
to sterile drapes or fields. Any sterile area compromised by moisture splash must be treated as
contaminated to preserve aseptic technique.
5. During a thyroidectomy, the surgical assistant is tasked with identifying and preserving
the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Where is this nerve most commonly located relative to the
tracheoesophageal groove?
A. Anterior to the superior thyroid artery
B. Within the tracheoesophageal groove, posterior to the thyroid lobe
C. Lateral to the carotid sheath within the prevertebral fascia
D. Superficial to the platysma muscle layer
The recurrent laryngeal nerve typically runs in or near the tracheoesophageal groove as it
ascends to enter the larynx behind the cricothyroid muscle. Careful identification and
preservation are critical to prevent vocal cord paralysis and airway compromise.
, 6. A surgical assistant is scrubbing for a case and notices a small hole in their inner glove
after donning sterile gown and gloves. What is the immediate correct protocol?
A. Apply sterile surgical tape over the hole and proceed.
B. Step away from the sterile field, have the circulating nurse remove the gown and gloves,
perform a complete re-scrub, and don fresh sterile attire.
C. Remove the outer contaminated glove only, keeping the inner glove intact.
D. Continue the procedure but avoid handling sharp instruments.
Punctures or tears in sterile gloves compromise the aseptic barrier, necessitating immediate
replacement. Because the gown sleeves are also considered contaminated when gloves are
compromised, a full gown and glove change (or assisted regowning and gloving per facility
protocol) is required.
7. Which of the following surgical instruments is classified as a non-crushing intestinal
clamp designed to securely grasp bowel tissue without causing luminal trauma or ischemic
necrosis?
A. Kocher clamp
B. Allis clamp
C. Doyen clamp
D. Babcock clamp
The Babcock clamp features a smooth, fenestrated tip that grips delicate structures such as the
bowel, ureters, or fallopian tubes atraumatically. Conversely, Kocher clamps are crushing
clamps used on heavy fascia or tissues slated for removal, and Allis clamps have locking teeth
that can damage viable bowel wall.
8. In the management of a critically injured trauma patient presenting with a Class III
hemorrhage, what percentage of total blood volume loss is typically estimated?
A. Less than 15 percent
B. 15 to 30 percent
C. 30 to 40 percent
D. Greater than 40 percent
