ABSA EXAM / AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL
ASSISTANT (ABSA) ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 PREP
QUESTIONS COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDIT
Core Domains:
• Preoperative Preparation and Patient Safety (Time-Out Protocol, Positioning,
Assessment)
• Surgical Anatomy and Physiology
• Aseptic Technique, Sterilization, and Infection Control
• Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment
• Operative Procedures (General, Orthopedic, Gynecological, Neurological,
Cardiothoracic)
• Suture Materials and Wound Healing
• Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia
• Postoperative Care and Complications
• Professional Practice, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance (OSHA, HIPAA)
• Emergency Protocols and Patient Safety/Risk Management
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the candidate's mastery of
the knowledge and skills required for certification as a Surgical Assistant – Certified
(SA-C) by the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA). The exam assesses
,the candidate's ability to integrate foundational surgical principles, perioperative
care, and professional practice standards into clinical decision-making. Through a
series of multiple-choice questions and scenario-based applications, candidates
will demonstrate their understanding of surgical anatomy, aseptic technique,
instrumentation, patient positioning, and emergency protocols. Emphasis is placed
on real-world application, critical thinking, and the delivery of safe, effective, and
ethical patient care across all surgical disciplines.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Before the surgical incision is made, the surgical assistant's primary
responsibility is to ensure that:
A. The operative note has already been completed.
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have been verified
according to the surgical safety checklist.
C. The wound dressing has been applied.
D. The patient has recovered from anesthesia.
B
RATIONALE: Verification through the surgical safety checklist, including the
"time-out" protocol, is a critical patient safety measure required by The Joint
Commission to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient, and wrong-procedure surgeries.
2. Which of the following is NOT considered part of a sterile field?
A. The draped patient
B. The sterile gown of the surgical team
C. Gloves of a sterile person who has folded their arms
D. The sterile instrument table
C
RATIONALE: The gloves of a sterile person who has folded their arms are no
longer considered sterile because they have been removed from the immediate
sterile field and may have come into contact with non-sterile surfaces.
,3. The presence of only one living microorganism on an object means that the
object is:
A. Sterile
B. Contaminated
C. Clean
D. Disinfected
B
RATIONALE: The presence of any living microorganism, even a single one,
renders an object contaminated. Sterility is an absolute state; an object is either
sterile or not.
4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining the sterile field throughout
surgery?
A. To improve visibility for the surgeon.
B. To reduce operating room noise.
C. To minimize the risk of surgical site infection by preventing microbial
contamination.
D. To shorten the duration of the operation.
C
RATIONALE: The primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field is to prevent
surgical site infections by minimizing microbial contamination of the surgical
wound.
5. The SA-C examination consists of how many total questions?
A. 100
B. 120
C. 150
D. 200
C
, RATIONALE: The SA-C examination consists of 150 questions, of which 140 are
scored items and 10 are unscored pretest items.
6. Which surgical instrument is most appropriate for grasping delicate bowel
tissue?
A. Allis tissue forceps
B. Kocher forceps
C. Babcock forceps
D. DeBakey forceps
C
RATIONALE: Babcock forceps have a broad, atraumatic jaw with a fenestrated
tip, making them ideal for grasping delicate tissue such as the bowel, fallopian
tubes, and appendix without causing trauma.
7. When positioning a patient for a thyroidectomy, which position provides
optimal surgical exposure while minimizing complications?
A. Supine with a roll under the knees
B. Reverse Trendelenburg with a shoulder roll
C. Prone with head fixation
D. Lateral decubitus with kidney rest
B
RATIONALE: Reverse Trendelenburg position with a shoulder roll extends the
neck, providing optimal exposure of the thyroid gland while minimizing venous
congestion and bleeding.
8. Which of the following statements concerning surgical masks is NOT true?
A. Masks should be changed between patients.
B. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth.
C. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of the head.
D. Masks should be discarded if they become moist.
ASSISTANT (ABSA) ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 PREP
QUESTIONS COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDIT
Core Domains:
• Preoperative Preparation and Patient Safety (Time-Out Protocol, Positioning,
Assessment)
• Surgical Anatomy and Physiology
• Aseptic Technique, Sterilization, and Infection Control
• Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment
• Operative Procedures (General, Orthopedic, Gynecological, Neurological,
Cardiothoracic)
• Suture Materials and Wound Healing
• Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia
• Postoperative Care and Complications
• Professional Practice, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance (OSHA, HIPAA)
• Emergency Protocols and Patient Safety/Risk Management
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the candidate's mastery of
the knowledge and skills required for certification as a Surgical Assistant – Certified
(SA-C) by the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA). The exam assesses
,the candidate's ability to integrate foundational surgical principles, perioperative
care, and professional practice standards into clinical decision-making. Through a
series of multiple-choice questions and scenario-based applications, candidates
will demonstrate their understanding of surgical anatomy, aseptic technique,
instrumentation, patient positioning, and emergency protocols. Emphasis is placed
on real-world application, critical thinking, and the delivery of safe, effective, and
ethical patient care across all surgical disciplines.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Before the surgical incision is made, the surgical assistant's primary
responsibility is to ensure that:
A. The operative note has already been completed.
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have been verified
according to the surgical safety checklist.
C. The wound dressing has been applied.
D. The patient has recovered from anesthesia.
B
RATIONALE: Verification through the surgical safety checklist, including the
"time-out" protocol, is a critical patient safety measure required by The Joint
Commission to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient, and wrong-procedure surgeries.
2. Which of the following is NOT considered part of a sterile field?
A. The draped patient
B. The sterile gown of the surgical team
C. Gloves of a sterile person who has folded their arms
D. The sterile instrument table
C
RATIONALE: The gloves of a sterile person who has folded their arms are no
longer considered sterile because they have been removed from the immediate
sterile field and may have come into contact with non-sterile surfaces.
,3. The presence of only one living microorganism on an object means that the
object is:
A. Sterile
B. Contaminated
C. Clean
D. Disinfected
B
RATIONALE: The presence of any living microorganism, even a single one,
renders an object contaminated. Sterility is an absolute state; an object is either
sterile or not.
4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining the sterile field throughout
surgery?
A. To improve visibility for the surgeon.
B. To reduce operating room noise.
C. To minimize the risk of surgical site infection by preventing microbial
contamination.
D. To shorten the duration of the operation.
C
RATIONALE: The primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field is to prevent
surgical site infections by minimizing microbial contamination of the surgical
wound.
5. The SA-C examination consists of how many total questions?
A. 100
B. 120
C. 150
D. 200
C
, RATIONALE: The SA-C examination consists of 150 questions, of which 140 are
scored items and 10 are unscored pretest items.
6. Which surgical instrument is most appropriate for grasping delicate bowel
tissue?
A. Allis tissue forceps
B. Kocher forceps
C. Babcock forceps
D. DeBakey forceps
C
RATIONALE: Babcock forceps have a broad, atraumatic jaw with a fenestrated
tip, making them ideal for grasping delicate tissue such as the bowel, fallopian
tubes, and appendix without causing trauma.
7. When positioning a patient for a thyroidectomy, which position provides
optimal surgical exposure while minimizing complications?
A. Supine with a roll under the knees
B. Reverse Trendelenburg with a shoulder roll
C. Prone with head fixation
D. Lateral decubitus with kidney rest
B
RATIONALE: Reverse Trendelenburg position with a shoulder roll extends the
neck, providing optimal exposure of the thyroid gland while minimizing venous
congestion and bleeding.
8. Which of the following statements concerning surgical masks is NOT true?
A. Masks should be changed between patients.
B. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth.
C. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of the head.
D. Masks should be discarded if they become moist.
