Surgical Assistant
Certification Exam
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? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following
two structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Proximal
and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Into 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? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone
chokes below? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin
to significantly (and precipitously) drop? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅More than about 10%
, Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: -
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? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Cardiac
Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects: -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. -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅The open approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar incision
During total nephrectomy and/or adrenalectomy, which of the following poses the
greatest intra-operative risk from a systemic perspective, during the manipulation of the
adrenal gland? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Rapid blood pressure change
Which of the following are true statements regarding the pancreas? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅1. The pancreas is a mixed exocrine and endocrine organ
Which of the following are true statements regarding the pancreas? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅2. The pancreas lies in direct relation to the portal vasculature, the
biliary tree, the vena cava, the celiac ganglia, and the spleen its vasculature
Certification Exam
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? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Thumb inferior, then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the following
two structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Proximal
and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Into 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? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three bone
chokes below? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the following
structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output begin
to significantly (and precipitously) drop? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅More than about 10%
, Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: -
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? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Cardiac
Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy may
have which of the following transient affects: -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. -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Peroneal
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Vagus Nerve
The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic duct, and the
cystic artery is referred to as: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Calot`s triangle
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the following
structures: -ANSWER✅✅✅✅The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅Splenic Artery
Which of the flowing statements are true regarding total thyroidectomy procedures? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅The open approach generally utilizes a low transverse collar incision
During total nephrectomy and/or adrenalectomy, which of the following poses the
greatest intra-operative risk from a systemic perspective, during the manipulation of the
adrenal gland? -ANSWER✅✅✅✅Rapid blood pressure change
Which of the following are true statements regarding the pancreas? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅1. The pancreas is a mixed exocrine and endocrine organ
Which of the following are true statements regarding the pancreas? -
ANSWER✅✅✅✅2. The pancreas lies in direct relation to the portal vasculature, the
biliary tree, the vena cava, the celiac ganglia, and the spleen its vasculature
