Surgical Assistant Certification Exam
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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? - ANS Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: - ANS
Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two
structures: - ANS Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANS Proximal and anterior to the pet
anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANS 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? - ANS Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - ANS Calcaneus, navicular,
tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes below?
- ANS Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following structures: -
ANS Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - ANS Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin to
significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANS More than about 10%
, Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - ANS 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? - ANS Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical
procedure: - ANS Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may have which of
the following transient affects: - ANS 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. - ANS Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - ANS Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery
is referred to as: - ANS Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following structures: -
ANS The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - ANS Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? - ANS The open
approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar incision
During total nephrectomy and/or adrenalectomy, which of the following poses the greatest intra-
operative risk from a systemic perspective, during the manipulation of the adrenal gland? - ANS
Rapid blood pressure change
latest
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? - ANS Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: - ANS
Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following two
structures: - ANS Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANS Proximal and anterior to the pet
anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANS 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? - ANS Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - ANS Calcaneus, navicular,
tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone chokes below?
- ANS Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following structures: -
ANS Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - ANS Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin to
significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANS More than about 10%
, Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - ANS 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? - ANS Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a surgical
procedure: - ANS Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may have which of
the following transient affects: - ANS 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. - ANS Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - ANS Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the cystic artery
is referred to as: - ANS Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following structures: -
ANS The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - ANS Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? - ANS The open
approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar incision
During total nephrectomy and/or adrenalectomy, which of the following poses the greatest intra-
operative risk from a systemic perspective, during the manipulation of the adrenal gland? - ANS
Rapid blood pressure change
