FLS Modules UPDATED Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Laproscopic instruments diameter and length ranges - CORRECT ANSWER - 2-10mm,
30-45cm
hopkins rod lens - CORRECT ANSWER - light has to travel back through the rod to
capture the image.
decreasing light in the camera for... - CORRECT ANSWER - decreasing diameter,
increasing scope angle (ie 5mm and 30 degree has less light than 10mm 0 degree)
When is zero degree scope most useful - CORRECT ANSWER - when working in a small
area directly in line with the scope and ports, like the pelvis
how to check fiber optics light connection - CORRECT ANSWER - black dots= broken
fibers
why does it fog up? - CORRECT ANSWER - temperature and humidity discrepancy
between the OR and body
tools for defogging - CORRECT ANSWER - FRED antifog (must dry before putting back
in), put laparoscope in hot water
methods to clean a smudged lens - CORRECT ANSWER - gently wipe on clean tissue
(liver, uterus, bowel), remove scope and clean with hot water and gauze
Insufflation gas type and reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - CO2- readily available,
inexpensive, non combustable, warmed and humidified better
,high flow insufflation - CORRECT ANSWER - 10 or more L per minute
preventing loss of pneumo with suctioning - CORRECT ANSWER - keep suction tip
below the fluid level
most common light source - CORRECT ANSWER - 300W xenon lamp
Troubleshooting steps: gas preOP - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. check that co2 tank is full
2. check co2 tank gasket is secured
3. check that spare co2 tank is available in the OR
troubleshooting steps: image - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. check that the monitor is
plugged in and turned on 2. check that all cables are connected securely
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: measured pressure is the same
or higher than the preset pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. the patient may not be
adequately relaxed or there is a mechanical block of gas flow
2. inspect abdomen for rhythmic muscle contraction and palpate the abdomen for firmness
3. check port valves to make sure they are open
4. check for kinks in tubing and make sure no one is standing on them
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and high flow rate
- CORRECT ANSWER - 1. there is a leak in the insufflation circuit
2. check that the tubing has not become disconnected from insufflator or port
3. check that all valves are closed
4. check all port sites for leaking co2
5. check for foley catheter bag distention or bowel distention
, troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and no flow -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. make sure that the insufflator power is on
2. check gas level in the tank
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: complete loss of operative image - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. check for disconnected power cords, video cables
2. check for blown light source bulb
3. check for disconnected light cable
Monopolar electrosurgery curcuit - CORRECT ANSWER - electrical surgical unit--
>active electrode-->patient tissue-->dispersive electrode (grounding pad)
low frequency from wall source to high frequency at active electrode
monopolar: tissue coagulation - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs as a result of tissue heating
and protein denaturation.
monopolar: desiccation - CORRECT ANSWER - tissue temp rises--->water is evaporated
from the tissue--> increased impedance---> electricity stops flowing because of increased
resistance-->tissue turns brown, bubbles and steams.
Hemostasis due to fibrous binding between dehydrated, denatured cells of vessel endothelium
monopolar: current density - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of current flowing through
cross sectional area.
directly proportional to power, inversely related to tissue resistance
ie larger the area, less current density
and CORRECT Answers
Laproscopic instruments diameter and length ranges - CORRECT ANSWER - 2-10mm,
30-45cm
hopkins rod lens - CORRECT ANSWER - light has to travel back through the rod to
capture the image.
decreasing light in the camera for... - CORRECT ANSWER - decreasing diameter,
increasing scope angle (ie 5mm and 30 degree has less light than 10mm 0 degree)
When is zero degree scope most useful - CORRECT ANSWER - when working in a small
area directly in line with the scope and ports, like the pelvis
how to check fiber optics light connection - CORRECT ANSWER - black dots= broken
fibers
why does it fog up? - CORRECT ANSWER - temperature and humidity discrepancy
between the OR and body
tools for defogging - CORRECT ANSWER - FRED antifog (must dry before putting back
in), put laparoscope in hot water
methods to clean a smudged lens - CORRECT ANSWER - gently wipe on clean tissue
(liver, uterus, bowel), remove scope and clean with hot water and gauze
Insufflation gas type and reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - CO2- readily available,
inexpensive, non combustable, warmed and humidified better
,high flow insufflation - CORRECT ANSWER - 10 or more L per minute
preventing loss of pneumo with suctioning - CORRECT ANSWER - keep suction tip
below the fluid level
most common light source - CORRECT ANSWER - 300W xenon lamp
Troubleshooting steps: gas preOP - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. check that co2 tank is full
2. check co2 tank gasket is secured
3. check that spare co2 tank is available in the OR
troubleshooting steps: image - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. check that the monitor is
plugged in and turned on 2. check that all cables are connected securely
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: measured pressure is the same
or higher than the preset pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. the patient may not be
adequately relaxed or there is a mechanical block of gas flow
2. inspect abdomen for rhythmic muscle contraction and palpate the abdomen for firmness
3. check port valves to make sure they are open
4. check for kinks in tubing and make sure no one is standing on them
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and high flow rate
- CORRECT ANSWER - 1. there is a leak in the insufflation circuit
2. check that the tubing has not become disconnected from insufflator or port
3. check that all valves are closed
4. check all port sites for leaking co2
5. check for foley catheter bag distention or bowel distention
, troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: insufflator settings: low pressure and no flow -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. make sure that the insufflator power is on
2. check gas level in the tank
troubleshooting steps: loss of working space: complete loss of operative image - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. check for disconnected power cords, video cables
2. check for blown light source bulb
3. check for disconnected light cable
Monopolar electrosurgery curcuit - CORRECT ANSWER - electrical surgical unit--
>active electrode-->patient tissue-->dispersive electrode (grounding pad)
low frequency from wall source to high frequency at active electrode
monopolar: tissue coagulation - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs as a result of tissue heating
and protein denaturation.
monopolar: desiccation - CORRECT ANSWER - tissue temp rises--->water is evaporated
from the tissue--> increased impedance---> electricity stops flowing because of increased
resistance-->tissue turns brown, bubbles and steams.
Hemostasis due to fibrous binding between dehydrated, denatured cells of vessel endothelium
monopolar: current density - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of current flowing through
cross sectional area.
directly proportional to power, inversely related to tissue resistance
ie larger the area, less current density
