Page 1 of 40
Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant EXAM 2026-2027
COMPLETE 300 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: Name 3 types of ocular emergencies that may require surgical intervention -
ANSWER-Lacerated globes and eyelids; intraocular foreign bodies; acute glaucoma; and,
intraocular hemorrhage
QUESTION: What should pre-operative patients bring to their surgical appointment? - ANSWER-
A list of medications and allergies
QUESTION: When scheduling a patient for surgery, what information is needed for scheduling
purposes? - ANSWER-Patient name, date of birth, type of insurance, contact information,
procedure, anesthesia, operative eye, and length of time needed for the procedure
QUESTION: When preparing a patient for surgery, when are vital signs taken, as well as when
are dilating drops and sedatives administered? - ANSWER-Prior to surgery
,Page 2 of 40
QUESTION: Who should a patient speak to if they are uncomfortable under the surgical drape? -
ANSWER-The surgeon, anesthetist, or the nurse
QUESTION: What test is performed pre-operatively to determine axial length? - ANSWER-A-
scan
QUESTION: If a patient is scheduled for extraocular muscle surgery, what diagnostic tests are
generally performed? - ANSWER-External photography and muscle balance measurements
QUESTION: What are vital signs? - ANSWER-Measurement of blood pressure, pulse, and
respirations
Q; When should the consent form for surgery be completed? - ANSWER-Prior to the procedure,
before any medications are administered
QUESTION: In what position is the patient placed during surgery? - ANSWER-Supine
,Page 3 of 40
QUESTION: What are 3 types of operative admissions for surgery? - ANSWER-Emergency,
urgent, and elective
QUESTION: What is the most common cause of corrosion of instruments? - ANSWER-
Inadequate cleaning and drying. Particles or materials that remain on the surface following
sterilization
QUESTION: What is the recommended pH level for ophthalmic instrument cleaning solutions? -
ANSWER-Neutral pH level (7.0-8.5)
QUESTION: How often should instruments be lubricated? - ANSWER-Every 5 procedures and
after every cleaning process
QUESTION: The most common cause of corrosion and pitting of instruments are _ and _ -
ANSWER-Blood and saline
QUESTION: What kind of disposable instrument wipes are recommended for cleaning
microsurgical instruments? - ANSWER-Lint-free wipes
, Page 4 of 40
QUESTION: Ultrasonic cleaners remove foreign matter and all lubrication from instruments.
What step should follow the ultrasonic cleaning process? - ANSWER-Instruments should be
bathed in instrument milk
QUESTION: Why are microsurgical instruments separated during ultrasonic cleaning? -
ANSWER-To avoid vibrations that may cause premature precision tip wear
QUESTION: Instrument "rust" may actually be a _ - ANSWER-Stain
QUESTION: The first steps in a maintenance program of instruments are _ and _ - ANSWER-
Inspection and evaluation
QUESTION: Immediately after use, a diamond blade should be rinsed with what type of
solution? - ANSWER-Sterile water
Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant EXAM 2026-2027
COMPLETE 300 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: Name 3 types of ocular emergencies that may require surgical intervention -
ANSWER-Lacerated globes and eyelids; intraocular foreign bodies; acute glaucoma; and,
intraocular hemorrhage
QUESTION: What should pre-operative patients bring to their surgical appointment? - ANSWER-
A list of medications and allergies
QUESTION: When scheduling a patient for surgery, what information is needed for scheduling
purposes? - ANSWER-Patient name, date of birth, type of insurance, contact information,
procedure, anesthesia, operative eye, and length of time needed for the procedure
QUESTION: When preparing a patient for surgery, when are vital signs taken, as well as when
are dilating drops and sedatives administered? - ANSWER-Prior to surgery
,Page 2 of 40
QUESTION: Who should a patient speak to if they are uncomfortable under the surgical drape? -
ANSWER-The surgeon, anesthetist, or the nurse
QUESTION: What test is performed pre-operatively to determine axial length? - ANSWER-A-
scan
QUESTION: If a patient is scheduled for extraocular muscle surgery, what diagnostic tests are
generally performed? - ANSWER-External photography and muscle balance measurements
QUESTION: What are vital signs? - ANSWER-Measurement of blood pressure, pulse, and
respirations
Q; When should the consent form for surgery be completed? - ANSWER-Prior to the procedure,
before any medications are administered
QUESTION: In what position is the patient placed during surgery? - ANSWER-Supine
,Page 3 of 40
QUESTION: What are 3 types of operative admissions for surgery? - ANSWER-Emergency,
urgent, and elective
QUESTION: What is the most common cause of corrosion of instruments? - ANSWER-
Inadequate cleaning and drying. Particles or materials that remain on the surface following
sterilization
QUESTION: What is the recommended pH level for ophthalmic instrument cleaning solutions? -
ANSWER-Neutral pH level (7.0-8.5)
QUESTION: How often should instruments be lubricated? - ANSWER-Every 5 procedures and
after every cleaning process
QUESTION: The most common cause of corrosion and pitting of instruments are _ and _ -
ANSWER-Blood and saline
QUESTION: What kind of disposable instrument wipes are recommended for cleaning
microsurgical instruments? - ANSWER-Lint-free wipes
, Page 4 of 40
QUESTION: Ultrasonic cleaners remove foreign matter and all lubrication from instruments.
What step should follow the ultrasonic cleaning process? - ANSWER-Instruments should be
bathed in instrument milk
QUESTION: Why are microsurgical instruments separated during ultrasonic cleaning? -
ANSWER-To avoid vibrations that may cause premature precision tip wear
QUESTION: Instrument "rust" may actually be a _ - ANSWER-Stain
QUESTION: The first steps in a maintenance program of instruments are _ and _ - ANSWER-
Inspection and evaluation
QUESTION: Immediately after use, a diamond blade should be rinsed with what type of
solution? - ANSWER-Sterile water
