Surgical Assistant Certification Exam ABSA AMERICAN BOARD OF
SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026 updated
The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the operative wrist of a 14-year old
patient in supine position. The operative extremity is positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the
following most accurately describes the movement of the operative thumb (which direction it points) as
you carry out the instructions? - (answer)Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
(answer)Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two structures: -
(answer)Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - (answer)Proximal and anterior to the pet
anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - (answer)Into the space between the spinal canal and the dura
mater covering the nerve roots.
The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee facilitates quadriceps
muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is the structure? - (answer)Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - (answer)Calcaneus, navicular,
tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes below? -
(answer)Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following structures: -
(answer)Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - (answer)Internal iliac artery
, Surgical Assistant Certification Exam ABSA AMERICAN BOARD OF
SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026 updated
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin to significantly
(and precipitously) drop? - (answer)More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - (answer)Increasing blood flow to the
brain
A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following symptoms: low blood pressure;
chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow
breathing. Which of the following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? - (answer)Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical procedure: -
(answer)Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may have which of the
following transient affects: - (answer)Bradycardia
A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot, and may be caused by
lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the lumbar spine), or damage to/compression of the
_______ nerve as it courses superficial to the fibular head. - (answer)Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - (answer)Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery is
referred to as: - (answer)Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following structures: -
(answer)The Splenic Flexure of the colon
SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026 updated
The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the operative wrist of a 14-year old
patient in supine position. The operative extremity is positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the
following most accurately describes the movement of the operative thumb (which direction it points) as
you carry out the instructions? - (answer)Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
(answer)Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two structures: -
(answer)Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - (answer)Proximal and anterior to the pet
anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - (answer)Into the space between the spinal canal and the dura
mater covering the nerve roots.
The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee facilitates quadriceps
muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is the structure? - (answer)Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - (answer)Calcaneus, navicular,
tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes below? -
(answer)Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following structures: -
(answer)Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - (answer)Internal iliac artery
, Surgical Assistant Certification Exam ABSA AMERICAN BOARD OF
SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026 updated
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin to significantly
(and precipitously) drop? - (answer)More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - (answer)Increasing blood flow to the
brain
A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following symptoms: low blood pressure;
chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow
breathing. Which of the following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? - (answer)Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical procedure: -
(answer)Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may have which of the
following transient affects: - (answer)Bradycardia
A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot, and may be caused by
lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the lumbar spine), or damage to/compression of the
_______ nerve as it courses superficial to the fibular head. - (answer)Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - (answer)Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery is
referred to as: - (answer)Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following structures: -
(answer)The Splenic Flexure of the colon
