ABSITE Clinical Competency Checklist 2025 – Mastering
Core Surgical Procedures, Postoperative Care Protocols,
Emergency Management Skills, and Real-World Exam
Readiness
A 70yr old woman presents with a worsening eczema-like rash overlying the areola & nipple.
The rash does not itch. On examination a palpable mass can be felt under the rash.
a.) paget's disease
b.) phylloides tumour
c.) carcinoma of breast
d.) benign eczema of nipple
e.) dermatitis herpetiformis - -CORRECT ANS- -(a)
Eczematous appearing lesions on nipple with an underlying cancer (typically subareolar
intraductal)
Which of the following women would require XRT after mastectomy?
a.) A 75yr old with 2cm ER+ tumor, no nodes
b.) A 55yr old with 1cm ER- tumor, 3 nodes, no margins
c.) A 40yr old with BRCA+ status for prophlyactic procedure
d.) A 62yr old with 4cm tumor with dermal lymphatic invasion
e.) A 58yr old with 2cm tumor & negative ALND - -CORRECT ANS- -(d)
,Indications for XRT after mastectomy include:
> 4 nodes skin or chest wall
involvement +margins
Inflammatory cancer
Tumor > 5cm (T3 disease)
A 67yr old with a history of cancer of the right breast, treated with a modified radical
mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy presents with a 6-month history of an enlarging
plaque of purple papules & nodules within a region of chronic lymphedema of the right upper
arm. A skin biopsy of the lesion showed collections of spindled cells with large, vesicular nuclei
adjacent to slit like spaces lined by cells with pleomorphic nuclei. What is the diagnosis?
a.) Mondors
b.) Pagets
c.) Stewart-Treves
d.) Phyllodes - -CORRECT ANS- -(c)
Lymphangiosarcoma arising as a complication of chronic lymphedema of the arm after
mastectomy.
The treatment of choice is a large resection or amputation of the affected limb. Radiation
therapy can precede or follow surgical treatment.
Which cells provide wound contraction? Where does contraction occur? What type of healing in
this? - -CORRECT ANS- -Myofibroblasts (smooth muscle/fibroblast) provide wound contraction.
Contract from center of wound. Responsible for healing by secondary intention.
The principal type of collagen found in ligaments & tendons is:
, a.) Type X collagen.
b.) Type II collagen.
c.) Type I collagen.
d.) Type III collagen.
Incorrect.
e.) Type IV collagen. - -CORRECT ANS- -(b)
Type I: most abundant throughout. Is predominant in articular cartilage. Principal collagen in
scar (late); Most common in dermis
Type II collagen is predominant in early ligament scar tissue. It makes up 50% of all protein in
cartilage and 85-90% of collagen of articular cartilage.
Type III: in healing wound. Low in Ehler-Danlos;
Type IV: in basement membranes
The cytokine that is the most potent stimulant of angiogenesis is:
a.) Transforming growth factor α (TGF-α).
b.) Epidermal growth factor (EGF).
c.) Basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF).
d.) Tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
e.) Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). - -CORRECT ANS- -(c)
Basic FGF is the most potent stimulant of angiogenesis.
When does collagen production begin in wound healing? when is it at it's maximum? - CORRECT
ANS- -Collagen production begins day 3, max at day 21 then constant amount but more
crosslinking, strength
Core Surgical Procedures, Postoperative Care Protocols,
Emergency Management Skills, and Real-World Exam
Readiness
A 70yr old woman presents with a worsening eczema-like rash overlying the areola & nipple.
The rash does not itch. On examination a palpable mass can be felt under the rash.
a.) paget's disease
b.) phylloides tumour
c.) carcinoma of breast
d.) benign eczema of nipple
e.) dermatitis herpetiformis - -CORRECT ANS- -(a)
Eczematous appearing lesions on nipple with an underlying cancer (typically subareolar
intraductal)
Which of the following women would require XRT after mastectomy?
a.) A 75yr old with 2cm ER+ tumor, no nodes
b.) A 55yr old with 1cm ER- tumor, 3 nodes, no margins
c.) A 40yr old with BRCA+ status for prophlyactic procedure
d.) A 62yr old with 4cm tumor with dermal lymphatic invasion
e.) A 58yr old with 2cm tumor & negative ALND - -CORRECT ANS- -(d)
,Indications for XRT after mastectomy include:
> 4 nodes skin or chest wall
involvement +margins
Inflammatory cancer
Tumor > 5cm (T3 disease)
A 67yr old with a history of cancer of the right breast, treated with a modified radical
mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy presents with a 6-month history of an enlarging
plaque of purple papules & nodules within a region of chronic lymphedema of the right upper
arm. A skin biopsy of the lesion showed collections of spindled cells with large, vesicular nuclei
adjacent to slit like spaces lined by cells with pleomorphic nuclei. What is the diagnosis?
a.) Mondors
b.) Pagets
c.) Stewart-Treves
d.) Phyllodes - -CORRECT ANS- -(c)
Lymphangiosarcoma arising as a complication of chronic lymphedema of the arm after
mastectomy.
The treatment of choice is a large resection or amputation of the affected limb. Radiation
therapy can precede or follow surgical treatment.
Which cells provide wound contraction? Where does contraction occur? What type of healing in
this? - -CORRECT ANS- -Myofibroblasts (smooth muscle/fibroblast) provide wound contraction.
Contract from center of wound. Responsible for healing by secondary intention.
The principal type of collagen found in ligaments & tendons is:
, a.) Type X collagen.
b.) Type II collagen.
c.) Type I collagen.
d.) Type III collagen.
Incorrect.
e.) Type IV collagen. - -CORRECT ANS- -(b)
Type I: most abundant throughout. Is predominant in articular cartilage. Principal collagen in
scar (late); Most common in dermis
Type II collagen is predominant in early ligament scar tissue. It makes up 50% of all protein in
cartilage and 85-90% of collagen of articular cartilage.
Type III: in healing wound. Low in Ehler-Danlos;
Type IV: in basement membranes
The cytokine that is the most potent stimulant of angiogenesis is:
a.) Transforming growth factor α (TGF-α).
b.) Epidermal growth factor (EGF).
c.) Basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF).
d.) Tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
e.) Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). - -CORRECT ANS- -(c)
Basic FGF is the most potent stimulant of angiogenesis.
When does collagen production begin in wound healing? when is it at it's maximum? - CORRECT
ANS- -Collagen production begins day 3, max at day 21 then constant amount but more
crosslinking, strength
