American Board of Surgical Assistants Test Review 2026 |
Sutures, Wound Repair & General Surgery | Questions &
Verified Answers | Graded A+
1. Which of the following statements is true of GI herniation?
Inguinal herniation may result in bowel descent into the scrotum.
Hernias generally result from some anatomic weakness in tissues.
A hernia that cannot be reduced is said to be "incarcerated".
2. Which factors can weaken suture?
knotting, wetting, absorption
wetting, absorption, placement in infected tissue
knotting, absorption, inappropriate handling
all of the above
3. What is the medical term used to describe the cessation of peristalsis?
Diverticulitis
Obstruction
Peritonitis
Ileus
4. What is the medical term for the protrusion of internal organs through a
surgical incision?
Evisceration
Dehiscence
Laceration
, Herniation
5. If a surgeon encounters excessive bleeding during the retraction of the
rectus abdominis in an upper quadrant oblique incision, what should be the
immediate course of action?
Apply sutures to the rectus abdominis immediately.
Switch to a different incision technique.
Identify and control the source of bleeding.
Continue with the procedure without interruption.
6. What is the term used to describe the cells responsible for secretion in
mammary glands?
Adipocytes
Lactocytes
Chondrocytes
Fibroblasts
7. In a patient undergoing a Billroth II procedure, what potential complication
should the surgical team be particularly vigilant about postoperatively?
Deep vein thrombosis
Hernia formation
Dumping syndrome
Wound infection
8. Describe the purpose of performing a choledocotomy in surgical
procedures.
, The purpose of performing a choledocotomy is to access the
common bile duct for the removal of stones or to facilitate drainage.
The purpose is to remove the gallbladder due to gallstones.
The purpose is to repair a perforated ulcer.
The purpose is to perform a biopsy of the liver.
9. Describe the role of lactocytes in the mammary glands and their importance
in lactation.
Lactocytes are the cells in mammary glands that produce and
secrete milk during lactation.
Lactocytes regulate hormone levels in the mammary glands.
Lactocytes are responsible for the structural support of the mammary
glands.
Lactocytes store fat in the mammary glands.
10. Which item is used on cut edges of bone to seal off oozing of blood?
epinephrine
silver nitrate
bone wax
electrocautery
11. If a patient undergoing gastrointestinal surgery develops an infection post-
operatively, what implications might this have for the surgical gut sutures
used?
The sutures may remain in the tissue longer than anticipated,
potentially leading to complications.
The sutures will dissolve faster, reducing the risk of complications.
, The sutures will become non-absorbable due to the infection.
The sutures will remain unaffected and dissolve as planned.
12. In a surgical procedure involving a patient with a history of allergic reactions
to suture materials, which suture type would be the most appropriate choice
and why?
Polyester, because it is strong and widely used.
Silk, because it is absorbable and promotes healing.
Nylon, because it is the most commonly used suture material.
Polypropylene, because it is non-reactive and less likely to cause
an allergic response.
13. Describe how neomycin contributes to the safety of intestinal surgeries
during the preoperative phase.
Neomycin helps to decrease the bacterial load in the intestines,
thereby minimizing the risk of postoperative infections.
Neomycin promotes faster healing of surgical wounds.
Neomycin increases the absorption of nutrients in the intestines
before surgery.
Neomycin enhances the effectiveness of anesthesia during surgery.
14. The purpose of a pyloroplasty during a total truncal vagotomy is to
minimize:
B12 deficiency
Risk of dumping syndrome
Delayed gastric emptying
Sutures, Wound Repair & General Surgery | Questions &
Verified Answers | Graded A+
1. Which of the following statements is true of GI herniation?
Inguinal herniation may result in bowel descent into the scrotum.
Hernias generally result from some anatomic weakness in tissues.
A hernia that cannot be reduced is said to be "incarcerated".
2. Which factors can weaken suture?
knotting, wetting, absorption
wetting, absorption, placement in infected tissue
knotting, absorption, inappropriate handling
all of the above
3. What is the medical term used to describe the cessation of peristalsis?
Diverticulitis
Obstruction
Peritonitis
Ileus
4. What is the medical term for the protrusion of internal organs through a
surgical incision?
Evisceration
Dehiscence
Laceration
, Herniation
5. If a surgeon encounters excessive bleeding during the retraction of the
rectus abdominis in an upper quadrant oblique incision, what should be the
immediate course of action?
Apply sutures to the rectus abdominis immediately.
Switch to a different incision technique.
Identify and control the source of bleeding.
Continue with the procedure without interruption.
6. What is the term used to describe the cells responsible for secretion in
mammary glands?
Adipocytes
Lactocytes
Chondrocytes
Fibroblasts
7. In a patient undergoing a Billroth II procedure, what potential complication
should the surgical team be particularly vigilant about postoperatively?
Deep vein thrombosis
Hernia formation
Dumping syndrome
Wound infection
8. Describe the purpose of performing a choledocotomy in surgical
procedures.
, The purpose of performing a choledocotomy is to access the
common bile duct for the removal of stones or to facilitate drainage.
The purpose is to remove the gallbladder due to gallstones.
The purpose is to repair a perforated ulcer.
The purpose is to perform a biopsy of the liver.
9. Describe the role of lactocytes in the mammary glands and their importance
in lactation.
Lactocytes are the cells in mammary glands that produce and
secrete milk during lactation.
Lactocytes regulate hormone levels in the mammary glands.
Lactocytes are responsible for the structural support of the mammary
glands.
Lactocytes store fat in the mammary glands.
10. Which item is used on cut edges of bone to seal off oozing of blood?
epinephrine
silver nitrate
bone wax
electrocautery
11. If a patient undergoing gastrointestinal surgery develops an infection post-
operatively, what implications might this have for the surgical gut sutures
used?
The sutures may remain in the tissue longer than anticipated,
potentially leading to complications.
The sutures will dissolve faster, reducing the risk of complications.
, The sutures will become non-absorbable due to the infection.
The sutures will remain unaffected and dissolve as planned.
12. In a surgical procedure involving a patient with a history of allergic reactions
to suture materials, which suture type would be the most appropriate choice
and why?
Polyester, because it is strong and widely used.
Silk, because it is absorbable and promotes healing.
Nylon, because it is the most commonly used suture material.
Polypropylene, because it is non-reactive and less likely to cause
an allergic response.
13. Describe how neomycin contributes to the safety of intestinal surgeries
during the preoperative phase.
Neomycin helps to decrease the bacterial load in the intestines,
thereby minimizing the risk of postoperative infections.
Neomycin promotes faster healing of surgical wounds.
Neomycin increases the absorption of nutrients in the intestines
before surgery.
Neomycin enhances the effectiveness of anesthesia during surgery.
14. The purpose of a pyloroplasty during a total truncal vagotomy is to
minimize:
B12 deficiency
Risk of dumping syndrome
Delayed gastric emptying
