ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION LATEST UPDATED
2026 ACTUAL FINAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE CERTIFIED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS RATED A+
GRADE
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective inguinal hernia repair reports taking their daily 81 mg aspirin this
morning. The surgical assistant should anticipate which action?
A) Proceed with surgery as planned
B) Notify the surgeon, as aspirin is often withheld 5–7 days before surgery
C) Administer vitamin K to reverse the aspirin effect
D) Give a platelet transfusion before incision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase and platelet aggregation for the life of the platelet
(7–10 days). Elective surgery is typically postponed or aspirin is stopped per protocol to reduce bleeding
risk. Vitamin K does not reverse aspirin, and platelet transfusion is not routine for this indication.
Question 2
The surgical assistant is performing preoperative verification. According to the Universal Protocol, which
three elements must be confirmed?
A) Patient age, diagnosis, and insurance status
B) Correct patient identity, correct procedure, and correct surgical site
C) Surgeon name, anesthesia type, and operative duration
D) Blood type, allergies, and fasting status
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol mandates a preoperative "time-out" verifying correct patient identity,
correct procedure, and correct surgical site (including laterality) to prevent wrong-site, wrong-
procedure, and wrong-person surgery.
Question 3
A patient has a documented allergy to latex. Which action should the surgical assistant take when
setting up the operating room?
A) Wear standard gloves but avoid latex drapes
B) Remove all latex-containing products from the room and use a latex-free cart
C) Only change gloves to non-latex; other items are safe
D) Cancel the case due to allergy risk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latex allergy requires complete removal of all latex-containing products from the OR,
including gloves, drapes, tourniquets, and some device components. A latex-free cart should be used,
and the first case of the day is ideal to minimize airborne latex particles.
Question 4
The surgeon requests that the patient be placed in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy.
The surgical assistant should ensure that which nerve is protected from excessive hip flexion or
abduction?
A) Sciatic nerve
B) Femoral nerve
C) Obturator nerve
D) Common peroneal nerve
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The common peroneal nerve (branch of sciatic) is vulnerable to compression at the fibular
head in lithotomy position. Excessive hip flexion or abduction, or pressure from stirrups, can cause
postoperative foot drop. Proper padding and positioning are essential.
Question 5
A patient undergoing a mastectomy has a pacemaker. The surgical assistant should alert the team to
avoid which piece of equipment near the pacemaker generator?
A) Suction tubing
B) Electrosurgical unit (Bovie), especially monopolar
C) Surgical lights
D) Pneumatic tourniquet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monopolar electrosurgery can interfere with pacemaker function, causing inappropriate
pacing, inhibition, or resetting. Bipolar cautery is safer. The return pad should be placed away from the
pacemaker, and a magnet or pacemaker reprogramming may be needed.
Question 6
The preoperative checklist indicates the patient has not removed body piercings. The primary reason for
removing metal piercings before surgery is:
A) To prevent infection at the piercing site
B) To reduce the risk of electrical burns from electrosurgery
C) To comply with hospital dress code
D) To improve patient comfort during positioning
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Metal jewelry can cause burns from electrosurgical current concentration or act as a thermal
conductor. Piercings should be removed or covered with non-conductive tape if removal is impossible.
This is a direct patient safety issue.
Question 7
A patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy but has a known allergy to iodinated contrast
dye. The surgical assistant should be aware that this allergy may also be associated with reaction to
which common skin prep solution?
A) Chlorhexidine (ChloraPrep)
B) Povidone-iodine (Betadine)
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity between iodinated contrast dye and povidone-iodine is rare but possible.
Patients with severe iodinated contrast reactions may also react to topical iodine. Chlorhexidine-based
prep (ChloraPrep) is a safe alternative.
Question 8
Before induction of anesthesia, the surgical assistant confirms the surgical site has been marked. Who
should perform the site marking?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The anesthesia provider
C) The operating surgeon, ideally with the patient involved and awake
D) The surgical assistant
Correct Answer: C
2026 ACTUAL FINAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE CERTIFIED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS RATED A+
GRADE
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective inguinal hernia repair reports taking their daily 81 mg aspirin this
morning. The surgical assistant should anticipate which action?
A) Proceed with surgery as planned
B) Notify the surgeon, as aspirin is often withheld 5–7 days before surgery
C) Administer vitamin K to reverse the aspirin effect
D) Give a platelet transfusion before incision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase and platelet aggregation for the life of the platelet
(7–10 days). Elective surgery is typically postponed or aspirin is stopped per protocol to reduce bleeding
risk. Vitamin K does not reverse aspirin, and platelet transfusion is not routine for this indication.
Question 2
The surgical assistant is performing preoperative verification. According to the Universal Protocol, which
three elements must be confirmed?
A) Patient age, diagnosis, and insurance status
B) Correct patient identity, correct procedure, and correct surgical site
C) Surgeon name, anesthesia type, and operative duration
D) Blood type, allergies, and fasting status
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol mandates a preoperative "time-out" verifying correct patient identity,
correct procedure, and correct surgical site (including laterality) to prevent wrong-site, wrong-
procedure, and wrong-person surgery.
Question 3
A patient has a documented allergy to latex. Which action should the surgical assistant take when
setting up the operating room?
A) Wear standard gloves but avoid latex drapes
B) Remove all latex-containing products from the room and use a latex-free cart
C) Only change gloves to non-latex; other items are safe
D) Cancel the case due to allergy risk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latex allergy requires complete removal of all latex-containing products from the OR,
including gloves, drapes, tourniquets, and some device components. A latex-free cart should be used,
and the first case of the day is ideal to minimize airborne latex particles.
Question 4
The surgeon requests that the patient be placed in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy.
The surgical assistant should ensure that which nerve is protected from excessive hip flexion or
abduction?
A) Sciatic nerve
B) Femoral nerve
C) Obturator nerve
D) Common peroneal nerve
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The common peroneal nerve (branch of sciatic) is vulnerable to compression at the fibular
head in lithotomy position. Excessive hip flexion or abduction, or pressure from stirrups, can cause
postoperative foot drop. Proper padding and positioning are essential.
Question 5
A patient undergoing a mastectomy has a pacemaker. The surgical assistant should alert the team to
avoid which piece of equipment near the pacemaker generator?
A) Suction tubing
B) Electrosurgical unit (Bovie), especially monopolar
C) Surgical lights
D) Pneumatic tourniquet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monopolar electrosurgery can interfere with pacemaker function, causing inappropriate
pacing, inhibition, or resetting. Bipolar cautery is safer. The return pad should be placed away from the
pacemaker, and a magnet or pacemaker reprogramming may be needed.
Question 6
The preoperative checklist indicates the patient has not removed body piercings. The primary reason for
removing metal piercings before surgery is:
A) To prevent infection at the piercing site
B) To reduce the risk of electrical burns from electrosurgery
C) To comply with hospital dress code
D) To improve patient comfort during positioning
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Metal jewelry can cause burns from electrosurgical current concentration or act as a thermal
conductor. Piercings should be removed or covered with non-conductive tape if removal is impossible.
This is a direct patient safety issue.
Question 7
A patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy but has a known allergy to iodinated contrast
dye. The surgical assistant should be aware that this allergy may also be associated with reaction to
which common skin prep solution?
A) Chlorhexidine (ChloraPrep)
B) Povidone-iodine (Betadine)
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity between iodinated contrast dye and povidone-iodine is rare but possible.
Patients with severe iodinated contrast reactions may also react to topical iodine. Chlorhexidine-based
prep (ChloraPrep) is a safe alternative.
Question 8
Before induction of anesthesia, the surgical assistant confirms the surgical site has been marked. Who
should perform the site marking?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The anesthesia provider
C) The operating surgeon, ideally with the patient involved and awake
D) The surgical assistant
Correct Answer: C
