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ABSA (American Board of Surgical Assistant) EXAM
WITH 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
SOLUTIONS WITH RATIONALES LATEST UPDATED
VERSION THIS YEAR 2026-2027
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE – PREOPERATIVE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy reports taking aspirin 81 mg daily for
cardiovascular prophylaxis. When should the surgical assistant expect the surgeon to advise
discontinuing aspirin before surgery?
A) 24 hours before surgery
B) 5–7 days before surgery
C) 48 hours before surgery
D) It is safe to continue aspirin throughout the perioperative period
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function for the lifespan of the platelet (7–10
days). Discontinuing 5–7 days before surgery allows adequate platelet function recovery to
reduce bleeding risk.
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Question 2
The "surgical time-out" is performed immediately before the initial incision. What is the primary
purpose of this procedure?
A) Allow the surgeon to review the patient's medical history
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, and surgical site
C) Give the surgical team a break before the operation
D) Check that all surgical instruments are sterilized
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical time-out is a critical safety procedure mandated by the Joint Commission
and WHO to confirm the correct patient identity, correct procedure, and correct surgical site
(including laterality) to prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery.
Question 3
Before induction of anesthesia, the surgical assistant confirms that the surgical site has been
marked. Who should perform the site marking?
A) The circulating nurse
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B) The anesthesia provider
C) The operating surgeon, ideally with the patient involved and awake
D) The surgical assistant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires the surgeon to mark the operative site using a
permanent marker, with the patient participating when possible. The mark should be
unambiguous and placed at or near the incision site.
Question 4
A patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 280 mg/dL before a
colon resection. The surgical assistant should recognize that this increases risk for which
complication?
A) Malignant hyperthermia
B) Surgical site infection, poor wound healing, and metabolic complications
C) Venous thromboembolism only
D) Anaphylaxis to antibiotics
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs neutrophil function, collagen synthesis, and increases
infection risk. Elective surgery may be postponed to improve glycemic control. Poorly controlled
diabetes also increases risk of electrolyte disturbances and delayed recovery.
Question 5
A patient with a documented allergy to latex is scheduled for surgery. What 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 latex-safe alternatives
C) Use latex gloves but cover them with non-latex gloves
D) Only avoid latex if the patient requests it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latex allergy requires the removal of all latex-containing products from the operating
room to prevent anaphylactic reactions. All team members should use latex-safe alternatives,
and the room should be prepared as a latex-safe environment.
ABSA (American Board of Surgical Assistant) EXAM
WITH 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
SOLUTIONS WITH RATIONALES LATEST UPDATED
VERSION THIS YEAR 2026-2027
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE – PREOPERATIVE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy reports taking aspirin 81 mg daily for
cardiovascular prophylaxis. When should the surgical assistant expect the surgeon to advise
discontinuing aspirin before surgery?
A) 24 hours before surgery
B) 5–7 days before surgery
C) 48 hours before surgery
D) It is safe to continue aspirin throughout the perioperative period
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function for the lifespan of the platelet (7–10
days). Discontinuing 5–7 days before surgery allows adequate platelet function recovery to
reduce bleeding risk.
, Page 2 of 193
Question 2
The "surgical time-out" is performed immediately before the initial incision. What is the primary
purpose of this procedure?
A) Allow the surgeon to review the patient's medical history
B) Verify the correct patient, procedure, and surgical site
C) Give the surgical team a break before the operation
D) Check that all surgical instruments are sterilized
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgical time-out is a critical safety procedure mandated by the Joint Commission
and WHO to confirm the correct patient identity, correct procedure, and correct surgical site
(including laterality) to prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery.
Question 3
Before induction of anesthesia, the surgical assistant confirms that the surgical site has been
marked. Who should perform the site marking?
A) The circulating nurse
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B) The anesthesia provider
C) The operating surgeon, ideally with the patient involved and awake
D) The surgical assistant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires the surgeon to mark the operative site using a
permanent marker, with the patient participating when possible. The mark should be
unambiguous and placed at or near the incision site.
Question 4
A patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 280 mg/dL before a
colon resection. The surgical assistant should recognize that this increases risk for which
complication?
A) Malignant hyperthermia
B) Surgical site infection, poor wound healing, and metabolic complications
C) Venous thromboembolism only
D) Anaphylaxis to antibiotics
Correct Answer: B
, Page 4 of 193
Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs neutrophil function, collagen synthesis, and increases
infection risk. Elective surgery may be postponed to improve glycemic control. Poorly controlled
diabetes also increases risk of electrolyte disturbances and delayed recovery.
Question 5
A patient with a documented allergy to latex is scheduled for surgery. What 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 latex-safe alternatives
C) Use latex gloves but cover them with non-latex gloves
D) Only avoid latex if the patient requests it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latex allergy requires the removal of all latex-containing products from the operating
room to prevent anaphylactic reactions. All team members should use latex-safe alternatives,
and the room should be prepared as a latex-safe environment.
