Surgical Assisting UPDATED Questions and CORRECT Answers

Surgical Assisting UPDATED Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Roles and Responsibilities - CORRECT ANSWER -



Surgical Instruments - CORRECT ANSWER - - Four categories of surgical instruments
-Cutting instruments (Scalpels, scissors, lasers)
- Hemostatic instruments (hemostatic forceps, clamps)
- Retractors (Hand held, self-retaining)
- Specialized Instruments (Ophthalmic, Orthopedic, Neurosurgical)


Scalpel Handles/ Blades - CORRECT ANSWER - - #3 handle is most common
- #4 handle used for large animal surgery
- 10 and 15 blades most common blades used


Electrosurgery - CORRECT ANSWER - - Cut and/or coagulate tissue simultaneously
- Works by passing electrical current or radio waves through the tissue
- Provides surgeon with more control over bleeding
- May also be used to cauterize bleeding tissue or vessels
- units may be small, battery powered, or larger and more powerful
- Larger units have a variety of settings for cutting, cauterizing, and coagulation of tissue
- Ideal for patients where bleeding even small amounts of blood loss would be dangerous (avian,
reptile, small mammals)


Electrosurgical unit - CORRECT ANSWER -



Precautions of electrosurgery - CORRECT ANSWER - - Poor contact between the patient
and ground plate may cause burns. *the patient needs to be well grounded. (Don't place under
delicate tissues!)*

,- Do not use near alcohol
- Area needs to be dry prior to cauterizing (blot away all blood and fluids)


Scissors - CORRECT ANSWER - - Uses: Cutting tissue, sutures, wire, or bandage
materials
- Named according to purpose, shape of blades, and whether the blades are straight or curved
- Can be Sharp-Sharp, Sharp-Blunt, or Blunt-Blunt


Mayo scissors - CORRECT ANSWER - For heavy duty cutting



Metzenbaum scissors - CORRECT ANSWER - For delicate cutting and direction (such as
a spay)


Littauer scissors - CORRECT ANSWER - - Not used for cutting wires



Wire cutting scissors - CORRECT ANSWER -



Sharp-Sharp Surgical Scissors - CORRECT ANSWER -



Lister bandage scissors - CORRECT ANSWER -



Utility scissors - CORRECT ANSWER -



Needle Holders - CORRECT ANSWER - - Holding and driving curved suture needles and
tying suture material
- Named according to shape of tips and whether or not scissors are present
- Have jaws, a (box) hinge, and locking device (ratchet) to securely hold needle and prevent
twisting and finger rings

, - Frequently have tungsten carbide inserts in jaws that is resistant to wear and can be replaced
when worn (usually indicated by gold handles)


How to grip needle holders - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Place thumb in first ring
2. Place index finger near the hinge
3. Place middle finger above the second ring
4. Place ring finger in second ring


Needle holder anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER -



Mayo-Hegar - CORRECT ANSWER - - Has NO scissors



Olsen-Hegar - CORRECT ANSWER - - Has scissors



Thumb forceps - CORRECT ANSWER - - Holding and easily releasing tissue like
tweezers *Don't call them tweezers!*
- Named according to purpose, shape of jaws, and tip


Adson-Brown - CORRECT ANSWER - - Most atraumatic



Adson - CORRECT ANSWER -



Rat Tooth - CORRECT ANSWER -



Dressing - CORRECT ANSWER -



Allis Tissue - CORRECT ANSWER -