Surgical Assistant Certification Exam ABSA AMERICAN
BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. What is the term used to describe the layers of tissue that must be navigated
to reach the peritoneum during an open surgical procedure?
Vascular structures
Nerve pathways
Muscle layers
Facial planes
2. Which compartment of the forearm is involved in a fasciotomy to relieve
pressure on the median and ulnar nerves?
Dorsal compartment
Volar compartment
Lateral compartment
Medial compartment
3. During a laminotomy, if the ligamentum flavum is inadvertently damaged,
what potential complication could arise?
Increased risk of spinal instability
Enhanced nerve regeneration
Improved access to the spinal canal
Reduced recovery time for the patient
,4. If a surgical assistant observes abnormal contractions in the colon during a
procedure, which anatomical feature might they consider as a potential
cause?
Appendix
Ileum
Rectal Sphincter
Taenia Coli
5. During a surgical procedure, if a surgeon encounters unexpected resistance
while navigating through the facial planes, what should be the immediate
course of action?
Reassess the approach and ensure proper identification of
anatomical landmarks.
Switch to a different surgical technique without further evaluation.
Continue pushing through the resistance to save time.
Consult with a nurse for assistance.
6. What effect does hypoventilation have on the recovery time from anesthesia?
It speeds up the recovery process.
It lengthens the time taken to exhale the anesthetic agent and
delays recovery.
It has no effect on recovery time.
It solely depends on the type of anesthetic used.
7. What term describes the condition when a patient requires a drug to function
normally?
, Tolerance
Addiction
Dependence
Withdrawal
8. The skin of the external genitalia is innervated by:
pudendal nerve
obturator nerve
superior gluteal nerve
femoral nerve
interior gluteal nerve
9. In a surgical procedure where the inferior mesenteric artery is ligated, what
potential complication could arise related to blood supply in the intestines?
Increased absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
Ischemia of the colon due to compromised blood flow.
Excessive bleeding from the superior mesenteric artery.
Formation of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava.
10. What muscle attaches at the supraglenoid tubercle?
Biceps
Tricep
Deltoid
Gluteus Maximus
, 11. What is the name of the suction tip commonly utilized in lumbar spine
surgeries?
Berman suction tip
Frazier suction tip
Yankauer suction tip
Poole suction tip
12. What is the primary blood supply target of the inferior mesenteric artery?
The stomach
The liver
The small intestine
The distal colon
13. Which muscle is known as the primary hip abductor that is often affected
during hip replacement surgery?
Gluteus maximus
Tensor fasciae latae
Gluteus medius
Sartorius
14. What type of incision is typically associated with a single-layer fascial
closure?
Transverse incision
Oblique incision
Lateral incision
BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. What is the term used to describe the layers of tissue that must be navigated
to reach the peritoneum during an open surgical procedure?
Vascular structures
Nerve pathways
Muscle layers
Facial planes
2. Which compartment of the forearm is involved in a fasciotomy to relieve
pressure on the median and ulnar nerves?
Dorsal compartment
Volar compartment
Lateral compartment
Medial compartment
3. During a laminotomy, if the ligamentum flavum is inadvertently damaged,
what potential complication could arise?
Increased risk of spinal instability
Enhanced nerve regeneration
Improved access to the spinal canal
Reduced recovery time for the patient
,4. If a surgical assistant observes abnormal contractions in the colon during a
procedure, which anatomical feature might they consider as a potential
cause?
Appendix
Ileum
Rectal Sphincter
Taenia Coli
5. During a surgical procedure, if a surgeon encounters unexpected resistance
while navigating through the facial planes, what should be the immediate
course of action?
Reassess the approach and ensure proper identification of
anatomical landmarks.
Switch to a different surgical technique without further evaluation.
Continue pushing through the resistance to save time.
Consult with a nurse for assistance.
6. What effect does hypoventilation have on the recovery time from anesthesia?
It speeds up the recovery process.
It lengthens the time taken to exhale the anesthetic agent and
delays recovery.
It has no effect on recovery time.
It solely depends on the type of anesthetic used.
7. What term describes the condition when a patient requires a drug to function
normally?
, Tolerance
Addiction
Dependence
Withdrawal
8. The skin of the external genitalia is innervated by:
pudendal nerve
obturator nerve
superior gluteal nerve
femoral nerve
interior gluteal nerve
9. In a surgical procedure where the inferior mesenteric artery is ligated, what
potential complication could arise related to blood supply in the intestines?
Increased absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
Ischemia of the colon due to compromised blood flow.
Excessive bleeding from the superior mesenteric artery.
Formation of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava.
10. What muscle attaches at the supraglenoid tubercle?
Biceps
Tricep
Deltoid
Gluteus Maximus
, 11. What is the name of the suction tip commonly utilized in lumbar spine
surgeries?
Berman suction tip
Frazier suction tip
Yankauer suction tip
Poole suction tip
12. What is the primary blood supply target of the inferior mesenteric artery?
The stomach
The liver
The small intestine
The distal colon
13. Which muscle is known as the primary hip abductor that is often affected
during hip replacement surgery?
Gluteus maximus
Tensor fasciae latae
Gluteus medius
Sartorius
14. What type of incision is typically associated with a single-layer fascial
closure?
Transverse incision
Oblique incision
Lateral incision
