SURGICAL FIRST ASSIST PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Thoracoabdominal incision.
Answer: Converts the pleural and peritoneal cavities into one common
cavity
◍ Define the term continuous suture.A continuous suture consists of a series of
stitches, of which only the first and last are tied..
Answer: Define the term interrupted suture.An interrupted suture is inserted
into tissues or vessels in such a way that each stitch is placed and tied
individually.
◍ A patient who has undergone a right-side herniorrhaphy presents 2-5 days
postoperatively with swollen and tender testis. What is a likely
complication?.
Answer: ischemic orchitis
◍ Which of the following arteries supply blood to the thyroid gland?
A. External carotid
B. Internal carotid
C. Axillary
D. Vertebral.
Answer: A. External carotid
◍ What type of ulcer do you treat by treating the underlying
condition/etiology?.
Answer: Neurotrophic; correct neuropathy, reduce repetitive microtrauma,
remove deformity
◍ What is the purpose for the surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula?.
, Answer: hemodialysis
◍ During the preoperative nursing assessment in the ambulatory surgery
receiving unit, the nurse notices bruises and abrasions in various stages of
healing on her patient's abdomen, arms, and breasts. In a quiet and
respectful manner the nurse said, "The staff at our facility are concerned
about your safety. We know that many things can happen in our lives that
affect our mental and physical health." This technique is an appropriate
method of establishing a sense of __________ with the patient while
conveying caring and concern..
Answer: b. normalizing
◍ Wound classification of thoracotomy.
Answer: Clean-Contaminated
◍ Hesselbach's triangle is bounded by the rectus abdominis muscle, inferior
epigasric vessels and:
A. External oblique muscle
B. Falciform Ligament
C. Inguinal ligament
D. Linea Alba.
Answer: C. Inguinal ligament
◍ An absorbable suture that offers extended wound support.
Answer: pds
◍ What is the 5 variable scale used to evaluate injury and probability of
survival?.
Answer: Abbreviated burn severity index (ABS)1. age2. sex3. presence of
inhalation4. full thickness5.% of the body burned
◍ radical nephrectomy.
Answer: excision of kidney, perirenal fat, adrenal gland, gerota's capsule,
and involved periaortic lymph nodes. Performed for parenchymal renal
neoplasms.
◍ This suture has an extreme smoothness compromises knot security, hence
, extra throws are required, when swelling occurs, this suture will stretch to
accomodate the wound (also known as plasticity), and when swelling
receeds, the suture will remain loose, it is widely used in podiatry.
Answer: Prolene
◍ peristalis.
Answer: contraction of smooth muscle that keep digested food moving
downward
◍ The term for a wound that completely separates and the internal organs
extrude is.
Answer: evisceration
◍ Common Peroneal Nerve Injury: Signs/Symptoms* ? drop occurs with this
nerve injury.
Answer: *Foot drop*Loss of dorsal extension of the toes*Inability to evert
the foot
◍ Define the term chronic wound.A chronic wound is one caused by an
underlying pathophysiologic condition over time..
Answer: What type of wound healing occurs when the wound is closed with
sutures, staples, or tape applied as soon after the time of injury as
possible?Primary intention occurs when the wound is closed with sutures,
staples, or tape applied as soon after the time of injury as possible.
◍ What are some examples of monofilament?.
Answer: Nylon, monocyrl, prolene, PDS
◍ What is the principal foal of suctioning blood and body fluids from the
wound?
A. Dissection of tissue
B. Retract tissue
C. Improve wound visibility
D. Measure blood loss.
Answer: C. Improve wound visibility
◍ The primary factor when selecting the surgical needle is.
, Answer: reducing as much as possible the trauma to the tissue
◍ Define the term healthcare-associated infections.Healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) are those infections acquired by patients during
hospitalization, with confirmation of diagnosis by clinical or laboratory
evidence..
Answer: What is the causative agent for what is sometimes referred to as
serum hepatitis?Hepatitis B virus causes serum hepatitis
◍ Which incision is indicated for an esophagogastrectomy?.
Answer: thoracoabdominal
◍ Hernia means.
Answer: rupture
◍ Measures to treat atelectasis include:
A. Bed rest and limited ambulation
B. Pain control and early ambulation
C. Repeated vigorous coughing
D. Antimycotic agents.
Answer: B. Pain control and early ambulation
◍ The 2nd most commonly injured periperal nerve is the ?.
Answer: Brachial Plexus-Possibly related to the long superficial course from
the neck under the clavicle to the axilla past the humerus*Most frequently
related to stretching*Postop, idiopathic brachial plexus neuritis may mimic
intraoperative injury
◍ In what order should clamps be removed?.
Answer: vein first, then artery
◍ What device is used to collect upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to
esophageal varices?.
Answer: Sengstaken-Blakemore
◍ List examples of accessory and ancillary instruments.Suction tips and
tubing; irrigators-aspirators; electrosurgical devices; and special-use
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Thoracoabdominal incision.
Answer: Converts the pleural and peritoneal cavities into one common
cavity
◍ Define the term continuous suture.A continuous suture consists of a series of
stitches, of which only the first and last are tied..
Answer: Define the term interrupted suture.An interrupted suture is inserted
into tissues or vessels in such a way that each stitch is placed and tied
individually.
◍ A patient who has undergone a right-side herniorrhaphy presents 2-5 days
postoperatively with swollen and tender testis. What is a likely
complication?.
Answer: ischemic orchitis
◍ Which of the following arteries supply blood to the thyroid gland?
A. External carotid
B. Internal carotid
C. Axillary
D. Vertebral.
Answer: A. External carotid
◍ What type of ulcer do you treat by treating the underlying
condition/etiology?.
Answer: Neurotrophic; correct neuropathy, reduce repetitive microtrauma,
remove deformity
◍ What is the purpose for the surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula?.
, Answer: hemodialysis
◍ During the preoperative nursing assessment in the ambulatory surgery
receiving unit, the nurse notices bruises and abrasions in various stages of
healing on her patient's abdomen, arms, and breasts. In a quiet and
respectful manner the nurse said, "The staff at our facility are concerned
about your safety. We know that many things can happen in our lives that
affect our mental and physical health." This technique is an appropriate
method of establishing a sense of __________ with the patient while
conveying caring and concern..
Answer: b. normalizing
◍ Wound classification of thoracotomy.
Answer: Clean-Contaminated
◍ Hesselbach's triangle is bounded by the rectus abdominis muscle, inferior
epigasric vessels and:
A. External oblique muscle
B. Falciform Ligament
C. Inguinal ligament
D. Linea Alba.
Answer: C. Inguinal ligament
◍ An absorbable suture that offers extended wound support.
Answer: pds
◍ What is the 5 variable scale used to evaluate injury and probability of
survival?.
Answer: Abbreviated burn severity index (ABS)1. age2. sex3. presence of
inhalation4. full thickness5.% of the body burned
◍ radical nephrectomy.
Answer: excision of kidney, perirenal fat, adrenal gland, gerota's capsule,
and involved periaortic lymph nodes. Performed for parenchymal renal
neoplasms.
◍ This suture has an extreme smoothness compromises knot security, hence
, extra throws are required, when swelling occurs, this suture will stretch to
accomodate the wound (also known as plasticity), and when swelling
receeds, the suture will remain loose, it is widely used in podiatry.
Answer: Prolene
◍ peristalis.
Answer: contraction of smooth muscle that keep digested food moving
downward
◍ The term for a wound that completely separates and the internal organs
extrude is.
Answer: evisceration
◍ Common Peroneal Nerve Injury: Signs/Symptoms* ? drop occurs with this
nerve injury.
Answer: *Foot drop*Loss of dorsal extension of the toes*Inability to evert
the foot
◍ Define the term chronic wound.A chronic wound is one caused by an
underlying pathophysiologic condition over time..
Answer: What type of wound healing occurs when the wound is closed with
sutures, staples, or tape applied as soon after the time of injury as
possible?Primary intention occurs when the wound is closed with sutures,
staples, or tape applied as soon after the time of injury as possible.
◍ What are some examples of monofilament?.
Answer: Nylon, monocyrl, prolene, PDS
◍ What is the principal foal of suctioning blood and body fluids from the
wound?
A. Dissection of tissue
B. Retract tissue
C. Improve wound visibility
D. Measure blood loss.
Answer: C. Improve wound visibility
◍ The primary factor when selecting the surgical needle is.
, Answer: reducing as much as possible the trauma to the tissue
◍ Define the term healthcare-associated infections.Healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) are those infections acquired by patients during
hospitalization, with confirmation of diagnosis by clinical or laboratory
evidence..
Answer: What is the causative agent for what is sometimes referred to as
serum hepatitis?Hepatitis B virus causes serum hepatitis
◍ Which incision is indicated for an esophagogastrectomy?.
Answer: thoracoabdominal
◍ Hernia means.
Answer: rupture
◍ Measures to treat atelectasis include:
A. Bed rest and limited ambulation
B. Pain control and early ambulation
C. Repeated vigorous coughing
D. Antimycotic agents.
Answer: B. Pain control and early ambulation
◍ The 2nd most commonly injured periperal nerve is the ?.
Answer: Brachial Plexus-Possibly related to the long superficial course from
the neck under the clavicle to the axilla past the humerus*Most frequently
related to stretching*Postop, idiopathic brachial plexus neuritis may mimic
intraoperative injury
◍ In what order should clamps be removed?.
Answer: vein first, then artery
◍ What device is used to collect upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to
esophageal varices?.
Answer: Sengstaken-Blakemore
◍ List examples of accessory and ancillary instruments.Suction tips and
tubing; irrigators-aspirators; electrosurgical devices; and special-use
