ABSA EXAM / AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL
ASSISTANT (ABSA) ACTUAL EXAM 300 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE
The ABSA Surgical Assistant (SA-C) Exam evaluates comprehensive knowledge
and clinical competency required for certified surgical assisting practice. The exam
covers surgical anatomy and physiology, operative procedures across all
specialties, perioperative patient care, surgical instrumentation, wound healing,
infection control, and anesthesia principles. Candidates demonstrate proficiency in
positioning, retraction, hemostasis, tissue handling, suturing techniques, and
emergency response protocols. The test emphasizes teamwork, communication,
and adherence to sterile technique standards. Success requires understanding
anatomical landmarks, surgical approaches, potential complications, and evidence-
based practices while functioning as an integral member of the surgical team to
ensure optimal patient outcomes and safety during operative procedures.
Section 1: Surgical Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1-55)
Question 1
The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee
facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is this
structure called?
A) Quadriceps tendon
B) Patellar ligament
C) Vastus medialis
D) Iliotibial band
Answer: B) Patellar ligament
Rationale: The patellar ligament connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity,
facilitating quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. The quadriceps
tendon connects the quadriceps muscle to the patella, while the vastus medialis is a
muscle of the quadriceps group .
Question 2
,The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which three bones?
A) Ilium, sacrum, and pubis
B) Pubis, sacrum, and ischium
C) Pubis, ischium, and ilium
D) Sacrum, ischium, and ilium
Answer: C) Pubis, ischium, and ilium
Rationale: The acetabulum is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and
pubis. This tri-radiate fusion creates the socket that articulates with the femoral
head to form the hip joint .
Question 3
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as:
A) Tetralogy of Fallot
B) Calot's triangle
C) Circle of Willis
D) Anatomical snuffbox
Answer: B) Calot's triangle
Rationale: Calot's triangle is an anatomical space bounded by the cystic duct,
common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery. This triangle is a critical landmark
during cholecystectomy to identify and ligate the cystic artery and duct safely .
Question 4
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which vessel?
A) Left gastric artery
B) Right gastric artery
C) Splenic artery
D) Right gastroepiploic artery
Answer: C) Splenic artery
Rationale: The short gastric arteries arise directly from the splenic artery. They
supply blood to the fundus of the stomach. The splenic artery runs along the
superior border of the pancreas before branching to supply the spleen and gastric
fundus .
,Question 5
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following bones?
A) Navicular, cuneiform, fibula, and calcaneus
B) Tibia, cuboid, fibula, and cuneiform
C) Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
D) Fibula, cuneiform, calcaneus, and tibia
Answer: A) Navicular, cuneiform, fibula, and calcaneus
Rationale: The talus articulates with the navicular, cuneiforms (through the
navicular), fibula (lateral malleolus), and calcaneus. It does not directly articulate
with the cuboid. The talus transmits body weight from the tibia to the foot .
Question 6
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures?
A) Esophagus
B) Pancreas
C) Stomach
D) Spleen
Answer: B) Pancreas
Rationale: The superior mesenteric artery provides blood supply to the pancreas,
small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and proximal two-thirds of the transverse
colon. The esophagus, stomach, and spleen receive blood from branches of the
celiac trunk .
Question 7
The fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor
of the pelvis is known as the:
A) Pelvic ligament
B) Round ligament
C) Broad ligament
D) Poupart's ligament
Answer: C) Broad ligament
, Rationale: The broad ligament is a fold of peritoneum that extends from the sides
of the uterus to the lateral walls and floor of the pelvis. It contains the uterine
tubes, ovaries, and associated vasculature .
Question 8
During total thyroidectomy, which complication should be carefully monitored
postoperatively?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Hypoparathyroidism
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer: B) Hypoparathyroidism
Rationale: During total thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be
inadvertently removed or devascularized, leading to hypoparathyroidism and
hypocalcemia. Careful monitoring of calcium levels and signs of tetany is essential
postoperatively .
Question 9
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as the principal blood supply to which
structure?
A) Ileocecal valve
B) Cecum
C) Hepatic flexure of the colon
D) Splenic flexure of the colon
Answer: D) Splenic flexure of the colon
Rationale: The inferior mesenteric artery supplies the descending colon, sigmoid
colon, and rectum. The splenic flexure is supplied by branches of the inferior
mesenteric artery. The ileocecal valve and cecum are supplied by the superior
mesenteric artery .
Question 10
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed in which location?
A) On the same side of the patella as the iliotibial band
B) On the opposite side of the patella from the pes anserinus
C) Superior to the quadriceps insertion on the patella
D) Proximal and anterior to the pes anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament
ASSISTANT (ABSA) ACTUAL EXAM 300 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE
The ABSA Surgical Assistant (SA-C) Exam evaluates comprehensive knowledge
and clinical competency required for certified surgical assisting practice. The exam
covers surgical anatomy and physiology, operative procedures across all
specialties, perioperative patient care, surgical instrumentation, wound healing,
infection control, and anesthesia principles. Candidates demonstrate proficiency in
positioning, retraction, hemostasis, tissue handling, suturing techniques, and
emergency response protocols. The test emphasizes teamwork, communication,
and adherence to sterile technique standards. Success requires understanding
anatomical landmarks, surgical approaches, potential complications, and evidence-
based practices while functioning as an integral member of the surgical team to
ensure optimal patient outcomes and safety during operative procedures.
Section 1: Surgical Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1-55)
Question 1
The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee
facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is this
structure called?
A) Quadriceps tendon
B) Patellar ligament
C) Vastus medialis
D) Iliotibial band
Answer: B) Patellar ligament
Rationale: The patellar ligament connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity,
facilitating quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. The quadriceps
tendon connects the quadriceps muscle to the patella, while the vastus medialis is a
muscle of the quadriceps group .
Question 2
,The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which three bones?
A) Ilium, sacrum, and pubis
B) Pubis, sacrum, and ischium
C) Pubis, ischium, and ilium
D) Sacrum, ischium, and ilium
Answer: C) Pubis, ischium, and ilium
Rationale: The acetabulum is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and
pubis. This tri-radiate fusion creates the socket that articulates with the femoral
head to form the hip joint .
Question 3
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as:
A) Tetralogy of Fallot
B) Calot's triangle
C) Circle of Willis
D) Anatomical snuffbox
Answer: B) Calot's triangle
Rationale: Calot's triangle is an anatomical space bounded by the cystic duct,
common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery. This triangle is a critical landmark
during cholecystectomy to identify and ligate the cystic artery and duct safely .
Question 4
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which vessel?
A) Left gastric artery
B) Right gastric artery
C) Splenic artery
D) Right gastroepiploic artery
Answer: C) Splenic artery
Rationale: The short gastric arteries arise directly from the splenic artery. They
supply blood to the fundus of the stomach. The splenic artery runs along the
superior border of the pancreas before branching to supply the spleen and gastric
fundus .
,Question 5
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following bones?
A) Navicular, cuneiform, fibula, and calcaneus
B) Tibia, cuboid, fibula, and cuneiform
C) Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
D) Fibula, cuneiform, calcaneus, and tibia
Answer: A) Navicular, cuneiform, fibula, and calcaneus
Rationale: The talus articulates with the navicular, cuneiforms (through the
navicular), fibula (lateral malleolus), and calcaneus. It does not directly articulate
with the cuboid. The talus transmits body weight from the tibia to the foot .
Question 6
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures?
A) Esophagus
B) Pancreas
C) Stomach
D) Spleen
Answer: B) Pancreas
Rationale: The superior mesenteric artery provides blood supply to the pancreas,
small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and proximal two-thirds of the transverse
colon. The esophagus, stomach, and spleen receive blood from branches of the
celiac trunk .
Question 7
The fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor
of the pelvis is known as the:
A) Pelvic ligament
B) Round ligament
C) Broad ligament
D) Poupart's ligament
Answer: C) Broad ligament
, Rationale: The broad ligament is a fold of peritoneum that extends from the sides
of the uterus to the lateral walls and floor of the pelvis. It contains the uterine
tubes, ovaries, and associated vasculature .
Question 8
During total thyroidectomy, which complication should be carefully monitored
postoperatively?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Hypoparathyroidism
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer: B) Hypoparathyroidism
Rationale: During total thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be
inadvertently removed or devascularized, leading to hypoparathyroidism and
hypocalcemia. Careful monitoring of calcium levels and signs of tetany is essential
postoperatively .
Question 9
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as the principal blood supply to which
structure?
A) Ileocecal valve
B) Cecum
C) Hepatic flexure of the colon
D) Splenic flexure of the colon
Answer: D) Splenic flexure of the colon
Rationale: The inferior mesenteric artery supplies the descending colon, sigmoid
colon, and rectum. The splenic flexure is supplied by branches of the inferior
mesenteric artery. The ileocecal valve and cecum are supplied by the superior
mesenteric artery .
Question 10
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed in which location?
A) On the same side of the patella as the iliotibial band
B) On the opposite side of the patella from the pes anserinus
C) Superior to the quadriceps insertion on the patella
D) Proximal and anterior to the pes anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament
