FES WRITTEN EXAM 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+
ASSURED PASS
The FES (Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery) written exam is a computer-
based, multiple-choice cognitive assessment developed by SAGES. It is mandatory
for general surgery residents seeking American Board of Surgery eligibility. The
exam consists of 80 questions administered in 90 minutes, covering 13 didactic
modules on flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy. Content includes endoscope
technology, patient preparation, sedation, upper and lower GI endoscopy, ERCP,
hemostasis, tissue removal, enteral access, and clinical decision-making. A score
of 70% or higher is required to pass. This exam validates foundational endoscopic
knowledge and judgment for surgical practice. It is a key component of the ABS
certification process.
Section 1: Endoscope Technology and Equipment (Questions
1–40)
1. Which type of endoscope is designed to view the lumen in either a front or side
viewing manner?
A. Flexible scopes
B. Rigid scopes
C. Side-viewing scopes
D. Oblique-viewing scopes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flexible scopes are designed to view the lumen either in a front or side
viewing manner and allow for optimal access to certain areas of the stomach and
duodenum.
2. Which type of endoscope is most commonly utilized during ERCP?
,A. Front-viewing scope
B. Side-viewing scope
C. Oblique-viewing scope
D. Rigid scope
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-viewing scopes allow for optimal access to certain areas of the
stomach and duodenum and are most commonly utilized during ERCP.
3. How do endoscopes transmit light?
A. Through a fiber optic cable
B. Through LEDs at the tip
C. Through a xenon arc lamp
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endoscopes transmit light through fiber optic cables, LEDs at the tip, or
xenon arc lamps, depending on the system design.
4. What is a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) chip based camera?
A. A type of endoscope
B. A camera that converts light into an electrical signal
C. A light source
D. A type of sedation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A CCD or CMOS chip based camera converts light into an electrical
signal, which is then processed to create the endoscopic image.
5. What is the purpose of the air compressor in an endoscopy unit?
A. To insufflate the lumen
B. To provide power to the scope
C. To cool the light source
D. To suction fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The air compressor provides insufflation to distend the lumen for better
visualization during endoscopy.
,6. What is the most nearly the weight in lbf if the air compressor's power output is
7.6 MW?
A. 5.6 MW
B. 6.5 MW
C. 7.6 MW
D. 8.9 MW
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The air compressor's power output is most nearly 7.6 MW based on the
given information.
7. What is the purpose of the suction system in an endoscopy unit?
A. To remove fluids and debris from the lumen
B. To insufflate the lumen
C. To provide power to the scope
D. To cool the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The suction system removes fluids and debris from the lumen to
maintain clear visualization.
8. What is the purpose of the water bottle in an endoscopy unit?
A. To provide water for lens cleaning and irrigation
B. To provide drinking water for the patient
C. To cool the light source
D. To dilute medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The water bottle provides water for lens cleaning and irrigation during
endoscopy.
9. What is the purpose of the biopsy valve on an endoscope?
A. To allow passage of biopsy forceps
B. To control insufflation
C. To control suction
D. To attach the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The biopsy valve allows passage of biopsy forceps and other accessories
through the working channel.
, 10. What is the working channel of an endoscope?
A. The channel through which accessories are passed
B. The channel through which light is transmitted
C. The channel through which images are transmitted
D. The channel through which air is insufflated
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The working channel is the channel through which accessories such as
biopsy forceps, snares, and injection needles are passed.
11. What is the purpose of the umbilical cord on an endoscope?
A. To connect the scope to the light source and processor
B. To provide suction
C. To provide insufflation
D. To provide irrigation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The umbilical cord connects the scope to the light source and processor,
transmitting light, images, and control signals.
12. What is the purpose of the control head on an endoscope?
A. To allow the endoscopist to steer the scope and control functions
B. To transmit light
C. To transmit images
D. To provide suction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The control head allows the endoscopist to steer the scope and control
functions such as insufflation, suction, and irrigation.
13. What is the purpose of the deflection control knobs on an endoscope?
A. To steer the tip of the scope
B. To control insufflation
C. To control suction
D. To control the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The deflection control knobs steer the tip of the scope in various
directions.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+
ASSURED PASS
The FES (Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery) written exam is a computer-
based, multiple-choice cognitive assessment developed by SAGES. It is mandatory
for general surgery residents seeking American Board of Surgery eligibility. The
exam consists of 80 questions administered in 90 minutes, covering 13 didactic
modules on flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy. Content includes endoscope
technology, patient preparation, sedation, upper and lower GI endoscopy, ERCP,
hemostasis, tissue removal, enteral access, and clinical decision-making. A score
of 70% or higher is required to pass. This exam validates foundational endoscopic
knowledge and judgment for surgical practice. It is a key component of the ABS
certification process.
Section 1: Endoscope Technology and Equipment (Questions
1–40)
1. Which type of endoscope is designed to view the lumen in either a front or side
viewing manner?
A. Flexible scopes
B. Rigid scopes
C. Side-viewing scopes
D. Oblique-viewing scopes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flexible scopes are designed to view the lumen either in a front or side
viewing manner and allow for optimal access to certain areas of the stomach and
duodenum.
2. Which type of endoscope is most commonly utilized during ERCP?
,A. Front-viewing scope
B. Side-viewing scope
C. Oblique-viewing scope
D. Rigid scope
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-viewing scopes allow for optimal access to certain areas of the
stomach and duodenum and are most commonly utilized during ERCP.
3. How do endoscopes transmit light?
A. Through a fiber optic cable
B. Through LEDs at the tip
C. Through a xenon arc lamp
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endoscopes transmit light through fiber optic cables, LEDs at the tip, or
xenon arc lamps, depending on the system design.
4. What is a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) chip based camera?
A. A type of endoscope
B. A camera that converts light into an electrical signal
C. A light source
D. A type of sedation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A CCD or CMOS chip based camera converts light into an electrical
signal, which is then processed to create the endoscopic image.
5. What is the purpose of the air compressor in an endoscopy unit?
A. To insufflate the lumen
B. To provide power to the scope
C. To cool the light source
D. To suction fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The air compressor provides insufflation to distend the lumen for better
visualization during endoscopy.
,6. What is the most nearly the weight in lbf if the air compressor's power output is
7.6 MW?
A. 5.6 MW
B. 6.5 MW
C. 7.6 MW
D. 8.9 MW
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The air compressor's power output is most nearly 7.6 MW based on the
given information.
7. What is the purpose of the suction system in an endoscopy unit?
A. To remove fluids and debris from the lumen
B. To insufflate the lumen
C. To provide power to the scope
D. To cool the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The suction system removes fluids and debris from the lumen to
maintain clear visualization.
8. What is the purpose of the water bottle in an endoscopy unit?
A. To provide water for lens cleaning and irrigation
B. To provide drinking water for the patient
C. To cool the light source
D. To dilute medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The water bottle provides water for lens cleaning and irrigation during
endoscopy.
9. What is the purpose of the biopsy valve on an endoscope?
A. To allow passage of biopsy forceps
B. To control insufflation
C. To control suction
D. To attach the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The biopsy valve allows passage of biopsy forceps and other accessories
through the working channel.
, 10. What is the working channel of an endoscope?
A. The channel through which accessories are passed
B. The channel through which light is transmitted
C. The channel through which images are transmitted
D. The channel through which air is insufflated
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The working channel is the channel through which accessories such as
biopsy forceps, snares, and injection needles are passed.
11. What is the purpose of the umbilical cord on an endoscope?
A. To connect the scope to the light source and processor
B. To provide suction
C. To provide insufflation
D. To provide irrigation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The umbilical cord connects the scope to the light source and processor,
transmitting light, images, and control signals.
12. What is the purpose of the control head on an endoscope?
A. To allow the endoscopist to steer the scope and control functions
B. To transmit light
C. To transmit images
D. To provide suction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The control head allows the endoscopist to steer the scope and control
functions such as insufflation, suction, and irrigation.
13. What is the purpose of the deflection control knobs on an endoscope?
A. To steer the tip of the scope
B. To control insufflation
C. To control suction
D. To control the light source
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The deflection control knobs steer the tip of the scope in various
directions.
