SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION
EXAM WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
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? -
CORRECT-ANSWERSThumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves
are oriented: - CORRECT-ANSWERSSuperficial to its
corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which
of the following two structures: - CORRECT-ANSWERSDuodenum
and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - CORRECT-
ANSWERSProximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to
the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - CORRECT-ANSWERSInto 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? - CORRECT-ANSWERSPatellar
Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of
bones: - CORRECT-ANSWERSCalcaneus, navicular, tibia, and
calcaneus
, The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of
the three bone chokes below? - CORRECT-ANSWERSPubis, ischium,
and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for
which of the following structures: - CORRECT-ANSWERSPancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSInternal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND
cardiac output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? -
CORRECT-ANSWERSMore than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSIncreasing 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? - CORRECT-
ANSWERSCardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient
undergoing a surgical procedure: - CORRECT-ANSWERSLower than
normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSBradycardia
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. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSPeroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - CORRECT-
ANSWERSVagus Nerve
EXAM WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
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? -
CORRECT-ANSWERSThumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves
are oriented: - CORRECT-ANSWERSSuperficial to its
corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which
of the following two structures: - CORRECT-ANSWERSDuodenum
and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - CORRECT-
ANSWERSProximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to
the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - CORRECT-ANSWERSInto 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? - CORRECT-ANSWERSPatellar
Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of
bones: - CORRECT-ANSWERSCalcaneus, navicular, tibia, and
calcaneus
, The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of
the three bone chokes below? - CORRECT-ANSWERSPubis, ischium,
and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for
which of the following structures: - CORRECT-ANSWERSPancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSInternal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND
cardiac output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? -
CORRECT-ANSWERSMore than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSIncreasing 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? - CORRECT-
ANSWERSCardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient
undergoing a surgical procedure: - CORRECT-ANSWERSLower than
normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects: -
CORRECT-ANSWERSBradycardia
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. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSPeroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - CORRECT-
ANSWERSVagus Nerve
