ABSA SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE SURGICAL ASSISTING PRINCIPLES ASEPTIC
TECHNIQUE Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented:
Answer: Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
Question 2: A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two
structures:
Answer: Duodenum and common bile duct
Question 3: In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed:
Answer: Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Question 4: Epidural anesthesia is administered:
Answer: Into the space between the spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
Question 5: 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
Question 6: The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones:
Answer: Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
Question 7: The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes
below?
Answer: Pubis, ischium, and ilium
Question 8: The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures:
Answer: Pancreas
Question 9: The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the:
Answer: Internal iliac artery
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, Question 10: After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin
to significantly (and precipitously) drop?
Answer: More than about 10%
Question 11: Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of:
Answer: Increasing blood flow to the brain
Question 12: 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
Question 13: Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical
procedure:
Answer: Lower than normal hemoglobin
Question 14: Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects:
Answer: Bradycardia
Question 15: 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
Question 16: The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the:
Answer: Vagus Nerve
Question 17: 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
Question 18: The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures:
Answer: The Splenic Flexure of the colon
Page 2
STUDY GUIDE SURGICAL ASSISTING PRINCIPLES ASEPTIC
TECHNIQUE Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented:
Answer: Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
Question 2: A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two
structures:
Answer: Duodenum and common bile duct
Question 3: In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed:
Answer: Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Question 4: Epidural anesthesia is administered:
Answer: Into the space between the spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
Question 5: 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
Question 6: The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones:
Answer: Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
Question 7: The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes
below?
Answer: Pubis, ischium, and ilium
Question 8: The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures:
Answer: Pancreas
Question 9: The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the:
Answer: Internal iliac artery
Page 1
, Question 10: After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin
to significantly (and precipitously) drop?
Answer: More than about 10%
Question 11: Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of:
Answer: Increasing blood flow to the brain
Question 12: 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
Question 13: Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical
procedure:
Answer: Lower than normal hemoglobin
Question 14: Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects:
Answer: Bradycardia
Question 15: 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
Question 16: The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the:
Answer: Vagus Nerve
Question 17: 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
Question 18: The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures:
Answer: The Splenic Flexure of the colon
Page 2