Surgical Assistant Certification Exam
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
ANSWER-Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone
chokes below? - CORRECT ANSWER-Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures: - CORRECT ANSWER-Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - CORRECT ANSWER-
Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output
begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - CORRECT ANSWER-More than about
10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - CORRECT 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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Cardiac Tamponade
, Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: - CORRECT ANSWER-Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects: - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER-Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - CORRECT ANSWER-Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures: - CORRECT ANSWER-The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? -
CORRECT ANSWER-The open approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar
incision
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 ANSWER-Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Superficial to its corresponding ventral 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
ANSWER-Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone
chokes below? - CORRECT ANSWER-Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures: - CORRECT ANSWER-Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - CORRECT ANSWER-
Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output
begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - CORRECT ANSWER-More than about
10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - CORRECT 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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Cardiac Tamponade
, Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: - CORRECT ANSWER-Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects: - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT ANSWER-Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - CORRECT ANSWER-Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures: - CORRECT ANSWER-The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? -
CORRECT ANSWER-The open approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar
incision
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 ANSWER-Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
