2026/2027
ABSA Study Guide New 2026/2027
Version: Comprehensive Exam
Preparation Manual with Practice
Questions, Test Bank Reviews, and
Detailed Study Resources
Question 1
A urologist is treating a patient with a urethral stricture requiring gradual dilation.
Which instrument is specifically designed for this purpose?
A. Foley catheter
B. Bakes dilator
C. Filiform with followers
D. Nelaton catheter
Correct Answer: C. Filiform with followers
Rationale: Filiforms with followers are specialized instruments used to gradually
dilate urethral strictures. The thin filiform is first passed through the narrowed
segment, followed by progressively larger followers to enlarge the lumen safely. A
Foley catheter is primarily used for urinary drainage, Bakes dilators are commonly
used for bile duct exploration, and a Nelaton catheter is a straight catheter used for
intermittent catheterization rather than stricture dilation.
Question 2
A patient is placed in Reverse Trendelenburg position before surgery. Which
description accurately defines this position?
A. Head lowered and feet elevated
B. Body tilted to the left side
C. Head elevated and feet lowered
D. Supine with knees flexed
Correct Answer: C. Head elevated and feet lowered
Rationale: Reverse Trendelenburg position involves elevating the head of the bed
while lowering the foot. This position is commonly used during upper abdominal
procedures and helps reduce intracranial pressure while improving diaphragmatic
expansion. The standard Trendelenburg position is the opposite, with the head
,2026/2027
lowered and feet elevated. The remaining options do not describe Reverse
Trendelenburg positioning.
Question 3
Which anatomical structures are connected by ligaments?
A. Muscle to bone
B. Bone to bone
C. Muscle to tendon
D. Tendon to bone
Correct Answer: B. Bone to bone
Rationale: Ligaments are strong fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to other
bones, providing joint stability and limiting excessive movement. Tendons connect
muscles to bones, while muscles and tendons perform different biomechanical
functions. Understanding the distinction between ligaments and tendons is important
in musculoskeletal assessment and injury management.
Question 4
The taenia coli are best described as:
A. Circular muscle bands of the rectum
B. Three longitudinal muscle bands of the colon
C. Peritoneal folds of the small intestine
D. Mesenteric attachments of the cecum
Correct Answer: B. Three longitudinal muscle bands of the colon
Rationale: The taenia coli consist of three longitudinal bands of smooth muscle
located on the external surface of the colon beneath the serosa. Their contraction
creates the characteristic haustral appearance of the large intestine. They are unique to
the colon and are absent in the rectum and small intestine.
Question 5
A laboratory report reveals a serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret this result?
A. Critically low
B. Below normal range
C. Normal range
D. Critically elevated
Correct Answer: C. Normal range
,2026/2027
Rationale: The normal serum potassium range is approximately 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.
Potassium is essential for neuromuscular activity and cardiac conduction. A value of
4.2 mEq/L falls within normal limits. Levels below 3.5 mEq/L indicate hypokalemia,
whereas levels above 5.0 mEq/L suggest hyperkalemia, both of which can result in
serious cardiac complications.
Question 6
When suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy, the duration of each suction pass
should generally not exceed:
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B. 10 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to approximately 10 seconds per pass to
minimize hypoxia, mucosal trauma, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Prolonged suctioning
removes oxygen from the airway and may cause severe complications. Nurses should
preoxygenate patients when appropriate and monitor oxygen saturation throughout the
procedure.
Question 7
High-quality adult chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
should be performed:
A. Less than 1 inch deep
B. About 1 inch deep
C. At least 2 inches deep
D. More than 4 inches deep
Correct Answer: C. At least 2 inches deep
Rationale: Current CPR guidelines recommend chest compressions of at least 2 inches
(5 cm) in depth for adults while maintaining an appropriate rate and allowing
complete chest recoil. Effective compressions help maintain circulation to vital organs.
Shallower compressions may not generate adequate perfusion, whereas excessively
deep compressions increase injury risk.
Question 8
The spleen is classified as which type of structure?
, 2026/2027
A. Endocrine gland
B. Lymphatic organ
C. Vesicle
D. Digestive gland
Correct Answer: B. Lymphatic organ
Rationale: The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ in the body. It filters blood,
removes old erythrocytes, stores platelets, and participates in immune responses.
Although it has important hematologic functions, it is not classified as an endocrine
gland, vesicle, or digestive organ.
Question 9
Before reviewing an intraoperative radiograph, what information should be verified
first?
A. Exposure quality
B. Patient identification
C. Technique used
D. Magnification level
Correct Answer: B. Patient identification
Rationale: Correct patient identification is the most critical step before interpreting
any radiographic image. Reviewing the wrong patient's imaging can result in
catastrophic medical errors and inappropriate treatment. After confirming patient
information, clinicians can evaluate image quality, orientation, and technical factors.
Question 10
Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by:
A. Rupture of finger tendons
B. Degeneration of wrist cartilage
C. Thickening and shortening of palmar fascia causing finger flexion
D. Dislocation of metacarpal joints
Correct Answer: C. Thickening and shortening of palmar fascia causing finger
flexion
Rationale: Dupuytren's contracture involves progressive fibrosis and shortening of the
palmar fascia, causing one or more fingers to become permanently flexed. The ring
and little fingers are most commonly affected. It is not primarily a tendon rupture,
cartilage disorder, or joint dislocation.
Question 11
ABSA Study Guide New 2026/2027
Version: Comprehensive Exam
Preparation Manual with Practice
Questions, Test Bank Reviews, and
Detailed Study Resources
Question 1
A urologist is treating a patient with a urethral stricture requiring gradual dilation.
Which instrument is specifically designed for this purpose?
A. Foley catheter
B. Bakes dilator
C. Filiform with followers
D. Nelaton catheter
Correct Answer: C. Filiform with followers
Rationale: Filiforms with followers are specialized instruments used to gradually
dilate urethral strictures. The thin filiform is first passed through the narrowed
segment, followed by progressively larger followers to enlarge the lumen safely. A
Foley catheter is primarily used for urinary drainage, Bakes dilators are commonly
used for bile duct exploration, and a Nelaton catheter is a straight catheter used for
intermittent catheterization rather than stricture dilation.
Question 2
A patient is placed in Reverse Trendelenburg position before surgery. Which
description accurately defines this position?
A. Head lowered and feet elevated
B. Body tilted to the left side
C. Head elevated and feet lowered
D. Supine with knees flexed
Correct Answer: C. Head elevated and feet lowered
Rationale: Reverse Trendelenburg position involves elevating the head of the bed
while lowering the foot. This position is commonly used during upper abdominal
procedures and helps reduce intracranial pressure while improving diaphragmatic
expansion. The standard Trendelenburg position is the opposite, with the head
,2026/2027
lowered and feet elevated. The remaining options do not describe Reverse
Trendelenburg positioning.
Question 3
Which anatomical structures are connected by ligaments?
A. Muscle to bone
B. Bone to bone
C. Muscle to tendon
D. Tendon to bone
Correct Answer: B. Bone to bone
Rationale: Ligaments are strong fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to other
bones, providing joint stability and limiting excessive movement. Tendons connect
muscles to bones, while muscles and tendons perform different biomechanical
functions. Understanding the distinction between ligaments and tendons is important
in musculoskeletal assessment and injury management.
Question 4
The taenia coli are best described as:
A. Circular muscle bands of the rectum
B. Three longitudinal muscle bands of the colon
C. Peritoneal folds of the small intestine
D. Mesenteric attachments of the cecum
Correct Answer: B. Three longitudinal muscle bands of the colon
Rationale: The taenia coli consist of three longitudinal bands of smooth muscle
located on the external surface of the colon beneath the serosa. Their contraction
creates the characteristic haustral appearance of the large intestine. They are unique to
the colon and are absent in the rectum and small intestine.
Question 5
A laboratory report reveals a serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret this result?
A. Critically low
B. Below normal range
C. Normal range
D. Critically elevated
Correct Answer: C. Normal range
,2026/2027
Rationale: The normal serum potassium range is approximately 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.
Potassium is essential for neuromuscular activity and cardiac conduction. A value of
4.2 mEq/L falls within normal limits. Levels below 3.5 mEq/L indicate hypokalemia,
whereas levels above 5.0 mEq/L suggest hyperkalemia, both of which can result in
serious cardiac complications.
Question 6
When suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy, the duration of each suction pass
should generally not exceed:
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B. 10 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to approximately 10 seconds per pass to
minimize hypoxia, mucosal trauma, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Prolonged suctioning
removes oxygen from the airway and may cause severe complications. Nurses should
preoxygenate patients when appropriate and monitor oxygen saturation throughout the
procedure.
Question 7
High-quality adult chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
should be performed:
A. Less than 1 inch deep
B. About 1 inch deep
C. At least 2 inches deep
D. More than 4 inches deep
Correct Answer: C. At least 2 inches deep
Rationale: Current CPR guidelines recommend chest compressions of at least 2 inches
(5 cm) in depth for adults while maintaining an appropriate rate and allowing
complete chest recoil. Effective compressions help maintain circulation to vital organs.
Shallower compressions may not generate adequate perfusion, whereas excessively
deep compressions increase injury risk.
Question 8
The spleen is classified as which type of structure?
, 2026/2027
A. Endocrine gland
B. Lymphatic organ
C. Vesicle
D. Digestive gland
Correct Answer: B. Lymphatic organ
Rationale: The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ in the body. It filters blood,
removes old erythrocytes, stores platelets, and participates in immune responses.
Although it has important hematologic functions, it is not classified as an endocrine
gland, vesicle, or digestive organ.
Question 9
Before reviewing an intraoperative radiograph, what information should be verified
first?
A. Exposure quality
B. Patient identification
C. Technique used
D. Magnification level
Correct Answer: B. Patient identification
Rationale: Correct patient identification is the most critical step before interpreting
any radiographic image. Reviewing the wrong patient's imaging can result in
catastrophic medical errors and inappropriate treatment. After confirming patient
information, clinicians can evaluate image quality, orientation, and technical factors.
Question 10
Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by:
A. Rupture of finger tendons
B. Degeneration of wrist cartilage
C. Thickening and shortening of palmar fascia causing finger flexion
D. Dislocation of metacarpal joints
Correct Answer: C. Thickening and shortening of palmar fascia causing finger
flexion
Rationale: Dupuytren's contracture involves progressive fibrosis and shortening of the
palmar fascia, causing one or more fingers to become permanently flexed. The ring
and little fingers are most commonly affected. It is not primarily a tendon rupture,
cartilage disorder, or joint dislocation.
Question 11
