FLS MODULE 3 - BASIC LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Laproscopic instruments diameter and length ranges. Answer: 2-10mm, 30-45cm
● hopkins rod lens. Answer: light has to travel back through the rod to capture the image.
● decreasing light in the camera for.... Answer: decreasing diameter, increasing scope
angle (ie 5mm and 30 degree has less light than 10mm 0 degree)
● When is zero degree scope most useful. Answer: when working in a small area directly
in line with the scope and ports, like the pelvis
● how to check fiber optics light connection. Answer: black dots= broken fibers
● why does it fog up?. Answer: temperature and humidity discrepancy between the OR and
body
● tools for defogging. Answer: FRED antifog (must dry before putting back in), put
laparoscope in hot water
● methods to clean a smudged lens. Answer: gently wipe on clean tissue (liver, uterus,
bowel), remove scope and clean with hot water and gauze
● Insufflation gas type and reasoning. Answer: CO2- readily available, inexpensive, non
combustable, warmed and humidified better
● high flow insufflation. Answer: 10 or more L per minute
● preventing loss of pneumo with suctioning. Answer: keep suction tip below the fluid
level
● most common light source. Answer: 300W xenon lamp
● Troubleshooting steps: gas preOP. Answer: 1. check that co2 tank is full
● troubleshooting steps: image. Answer: 1. check that the monitor is plugged in and turned
on 2. check that all cables are connected securely
, ● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: measured
pressure is the same or higher than the preset pressure. Answer: 1. the patient may not
be adequately relaxed or there is a mechanical block of gas flow
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and
high flow rate. Answer: 1. there is a leak in the insufflation circuit
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and
no flow. Answer: 1. make sure that the insufflator power is on
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: complete loss of operative image.
Answer: 1. check for disconnected power cords, video cables
● Monopolar electrosurgery curcuit. Answer: electrical surgical unit-->active
electrode-->patient tissue-->dispersive electrode (grounding pad)
● monopolar: tissue coagulation. Answer: occurs as a result of tissue heating and protein
denaturation.
● monopolar: desiccation. Answer: tissue temp rises--->water is evaporated from the
tissue--> increased impedance---> electricity stops flowing because of increased
resistance-->tissue turns brown, bubbles and steams.
● monopolar: current density. Answer: amount of current flowing through cross sectional
area.
● monopolar: cut mode. Answer: heat tissue quickly. cell water is converted to steam,
causing the cell to explode. minimal later thermal tissue damage, but poor thermal
coagulation. unmodulated waveform with low voltage. electrode should not contact tissue
directly.
● monopolar: coag mode. Answer: rapid surface heating, shallow depth of necrosis-
fulguration. intermittent wave with high voltage
● potential hazards of laparoscopic monopolar: current diversion. Answer: risk of
current diversion. current follows path of least resistance and can pass through unintentional
tissue
● potential hazards of laparoscopic monopolar: capacitive coupling. Answer: transfer of
current from an active electrode through its insulation to a passive electrode.
● bipolar definition. Answer: tissue is placed between two electrodes. current flows only
through the tissue contiguous with both electrodes. lower energy requirement, less lateral
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Laproscopic instruments diameter and length ranges. Answer: 2-10mm, 30-45cm
● hopkins rod lens. Answer: light has to travel back through the rod to capture the image.
● decreasing light in the camera for.... Answer: decreasing diameter, increasing scope
angle (ie 5mm and 30 degree has less light than 10mm 0 degree)
● When is zero degree scope most useful. Answer: when working in a small area directly
in line with the scope and ports, like the pelvis
● how to check fiber optics light connection. Answer: black dots= broken fibers
● why does it fog up?. Answer: temperature and humidity discrepancy between the OR and
body
● tools for defogging. Answer: FRED antifog (must dry before putting back in), put
laparoscope in hot water
● methods to clean a smudged lens. Answer: gently wipe on clean tissue (liver, uterus,
bowel), remove scope and clean with hot water and gauze
● Insufflation gas type and reasoning. Answer: CO2- readily available, inexpensive, non
combustable, warmed and humidified better
● high flow insufflation. Answer: 10 or more L per minute
● preventing loss of pneumo with suctioning. Answer: keep suction tip below the fluid
level
● most common light source. Answer: 300W xenon lamp
● Troubleshooting steps: gas preOP. Answer: 1. check that co2 tank is full
● troubleshooting steps: image. Answer: 1. check that the monitor is plugged in and turned
on 2. check that all cables are connected securely
, ● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: measured
pressure is the same or higher than the preset pressure. Answer: 1. the patient may not
be adequately relaxed or there is a mechanical block of gas flow
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and
high flow rate. Answer: 1. there is a leak in the insufflation circuit
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and
no flow. Answer: 1. make sure that the insufflator power is on
● troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: complete loss of operative image.
Answer: 1. check for disconnected power cords, video cables
● Monopolar electrosurgery curcuit. Answer: electrical surgical unit-->active
electrode-->patient tissue-->dispersive electrode (grounding pad)
● monopolar: tissue coagulation. Answer: occurs as a result of tissue heating and protein
denaturation.
● monopolar: desiccation. Answer: tissue temp rises--->water is evaporated from the
tissue--> increased impedance---> electricity stops flowing because of increased
resistance-->tissue turns brown, bubbles and steams.
● monopolar: current density. Answer: amount of current flowing through cross sectional
area.
● monopolar: cut mode. Answer: heat tissue quickly. cell water is converted to steam,
causing the cell to explode. minimal later thermal tissue damage, but poor thermal
coagulation. unmodulated waveform with low voltage. electrode should not contact tissue
directly.
● monopolar: coag mode. Answer: rapid surface heating, shallow depth of necrosis-
fulguration. intermittent wave with high voltage
● potential hazards of laparoscopic monopolar: current diversion. Answer: risk of
current diversion. current follows path of least resistance and can pass through unintentional
tissue
● potential hazards of laparoscopic monopolar: capacitive coupling. Answer: transfer of
current from an active electrode through its insulation to a passive electrode.
● bipolar definition. Answer: tissue is placed between two electrodes. current flows only
through the tissue contiguous with both electrodes. lower energy requirement, less lateral
