AST Practice Exam #6 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
The plicae circulares, microvilli and villi:
A. Produce bacteria
B. Increase absorption area
C. Secrete digestive enzymes
D. Initiate peristalsis - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Increase absorption area
The microvilli, villi, and the plicae circulares increase the surface area for absorption and
digestion in the small intestine.
Which of the following come as numbered sets frequently used in neurosurgical procedures?
A. Lacrimal probes
B. Hegar dilators
C. Van Buren sounds
D. Penfield dissectors - CORRECT ANSWER - D. Penfield dissectors
Penfield dissectors are used to separate the dura mater from the cranium during a craniotomy.
The Penfield is atraumatic and its use prevents tearing the dura mater.
What pathogen is most commonly associated with surgical wound infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Klebsiella pneumonia
C. Bacteroides fragilis
D. Clostridium tetani - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a common flora of the skin and also thrives in the nares of the nose
which are the primary source of the microorganism in the operating room.
,Padgett and Reese are types of:
A. Retractors
B. Catheters
C. Dermatomes
D. Implants - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Dermatomes
Padgett and Reese are types of dermatomes used to take skin grafts.
Which of the following is a uterine dressing forceps?
A. Schubert
B. Bozeman
C. Staude
D. Ballantine - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Bozeman
Bozeman forceps are long with a double curve and are included in a D & C instrument set.
Which burn degree classification involves erythema without blisters?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth - CORRECT ANSWER - A. First
A sunburn usually only involves the epidermis (first degree) and is characterized by erythema,
but not blisters.
What instrument is used to remove plaque during a carotid endarterectomy?
A. Allis
,B. Freer
C. Ferris-Smith
D. Potts-Smith - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Freer
During an endarterectomy, loosely attached plaque can be removed from the carotid artery with
the use of a Freer elevator.
Which of the following neuroglia are star-shaped?
A. Ependyma
B. Oligodendroglia
C. Astrocytes
D. Dermoid - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Astrocytes
Astrocytes are starshaped neuroglia that attach neurons to their blood vessels.
Which device could be used when placing a patient in the operative position for a
thyroidectomy?
A. Shoulder roll
B. Chest roll
C. Bean bag
D. Axillary roll - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Shoulder roll
A shoulder roll can be used to slightly hyperextend the region to facilitate making the incision
and exposing the thyroid.
In order to expand the abdominal cavity with CO2 prior to a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon
must use a/an:
A. Aspiration unit
B. Infusion pump
, C. Tissue expander
D. Insufflator machine - CORRECT ANSWER - D. Insufflator machine
The machine that infuses the CO2 gas into the abdominal cavity is called an insufflator.
Which of these surgical instruments would be used during a tonsillectomy?
A. Gerald forceps
B. Pillar retractor
C. Cottle osteotome
D. Vienna speculum - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Pillar retractor
Yankauer suction tip, Hurd dissector & Pillar retractor and palate retractor are all included on a
tonsillectomy instrument set.
Which type of cast would be appropriate for a fractured metacarpal?
A. Short arm
B. Long arm
C. Cylinder
D. Spica - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Short arm
A short arm cast is applied from below the elbow to the metacarpal heads and is used for
fractures of the wrist and metacarpals.
What is the medical term for accumulation of squamous epithelium that forms a mass that is
destructive to the middle ear?
A. Otosclerosis
B. Otitis media
C. Cholesteatoma
D. Chondrolipoma - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Cholesteatoma
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
The plicae circulares, microvilli and villi:
A. Produce bacteria
B. Increase absorption area
C. Secrete digestive enzymes
D. Initiate peristalsis - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Increase absorption area
The microvilli, villi, and the plicae circulares increase the surface area for absorption and
digestion in the small intestine.
Which of the following come as numbered sets frequently used in neurosurgical procedures?
A. Lacrimal probes
B. Hegar dilators
C. Van Buren sounds
D. Penfield dissectors - CORRECT ANSWER - D. Penfield dissectors
Penfield dissectors are used to separate the dura mater from the cranium during a craniotomy.
The Penfield is atraumatic and its use prevents tearing the dura mater.
What pathogen is most commonly associated with surgical wound infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Klebsiella pneumonia
C. Bacteroides fragilis
D. Clostridium tetani - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a common flora of the skin and also thrives in the nares of the nose
which are the primary source of the microorganism in the operating room.
,Padgett and Reese are types of:
A. Retractors
B. Catheters
C. Dermatomes
D. Implants - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Dermatomes
Padgett and Reese are types of dermatomes used to take skin grafts.
Which of the following is a uterine dressing forceps?
A. Schubert
B. Bozeman
C. Staude
D. Ballantine - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Bozeman
Bozeman forceps are long with a double curve and are included in a D & C instrument set.
Which burn degree classification involves erythema without blisters?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth - CORRECT ANSWER - A. First
A sunburn usually only involves the epidermis (first degree) and is characterized by erythema,
but not blisters.
What instrument is used to remove plaque during a carotid endarterectomy?
A. Allis
,B. Freer
C. Ferris-Smith
D. Potts-Smith - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Freer
During an endarterectomy, loosely attached plaque can be removed from the carotid artery with
the use of a Freer elevator.
Which of the following neuroglia are star-shaped?
A. Ependyma
B. Oligodendroglia
C. Astrocytes
D. Dermoid - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Astrocytes
Astrocytes are starshaped neuroglia that attach neurons to their blood vessels.
Which device could be used when placing a patient in the operative position for a
thyroidectomy?
A. Shoulder roll
B. Chest roll
C. Bean bag
D. Axillary roll - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Shoulder roll
A shoulder roll can be used to slightly hyperextend the region to facilitate making the incision
and exposing the thyroid.
In order to expand the abdominal cavity with CO2 prior to a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon
must use a/an:
A. Aspiration unit
B. Infusion pump
, C. Tissue expander
D. Insufflator machine - CORRECT ANSWER - D. Insufflator machine
The machine that infuses the CO2 gas into the abdominal cavity is called an insufflator.
Which of these surgical instruments would be used during a tonsillectomy?
A. Gerald forceps
B. Pillar retractor
C. Cottle osteotome
D. Vienna speculum - CORRECT ANSWER - B. Pillar retractor
Yankauer suction tip, Hurd dissector & Pillar retractor and palate retractor are all included on a
tonsillectomy instrument set.
Which type of cast would be appropriate for a fractured metacarpal?
A. Short arm
B. Long arm
C. Cylinder
D. Spica - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Short arm
A short arm cast is applied from below the elbow to the metacarpal heads and is used for
fractures of the wrist and metacarpals.
What is the medical term for accumulation of squamous epithelium that forms a mass that is
destructive to the middle ear?
A. Otosclerosis
B. Otitis media
C. Cholesteatoma
D. Chondrolipoma - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Cholesteatoma
