ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION (SA-C)
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Question 1
During abdominal surgery, which action by the surgical assistant best
helps maintain tissue viability and minimize postoperative
complications?
A. Grasping tissue firmly with toothed forceps throughout the
procedure
B. Keeping tissues moist and handling them as gently as possible
C. Using electrocautery continuously on all exposed tissue surfaces
D. Retracting tissues forcefully to maximize exposure for the surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle handling and maintaining tissue moisture preserve
blood supply, reduce cellular injury, and decrease postoperative
inflammation and infection risk.
Question 2
Before skin incision, the surgical assistant notices that the consent form
does not match the scheduled procedure. What should occur first?
A. Continue because the surgeon already knows the correct procedure
,B. Ask the circulating nurse to correct the form later
C. Stop the process and initiate immediate verification with the surgical
team
D. Document the discrepancy after the patient leaves the operating
room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any discrepancy involving patient identity, site, or procedure
requires immediate cessation of the process and formal verification
before proceeding.
Question 3
Which instrument is most appropriate for creating and maintaining
exposure of a deep abdominal incision during laparotomy?
A. Mosquito hemostat
B. DeBakey forceps
C. Richardson retractor
D. Mayo scissors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Richardson retractor is specifically designed to retract
deep tissue layers and provide stable exposure during abdominal
procedures.
Question 4
,A patient is placed in the lithotomy position for a prolonged procedure.
Which complication is the surgical assistant most concerned about
preventing?
A. Corneal abrasion
B. Ulnar nerve compression
C. Common peroneal nerve injury
D. Facial edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The common peroneal nerve is particularly vulnerable to
compression at the fibular head during lithotomy positioning.
Question 5
Which statement about surgical counts is most accurate for the surgical
assistant’s role?
A. Counts are performed only at the end of the procedure
B. The assistant is never involved in count verification
C. Any count discrepancy must be resolved before wound closure
continues
D. Small needles do not require reconciliation when missing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All count discrepancies must be investigated and resolved
before final closure to prevent retained surgical items.
Question 6
, When passing a loaded needle holder to the surgeon, the surgical
assistant should position the needle:
A. Pointing toward the surgeon’s hand
B. In a neutral zone whenever possible and oriented for immediate use
C. Open and unsecured for faster transfer
D. With the needle removed from the holder completely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safe passing practices include using a neutral zone when
appropriate and orienting the instrument for efficient, controlled use.
Question 7
Which suture material is absorbable and commonly used for buried
subcutaneous closure?
A. Nylon
B. Polypropylene
C. Vicryl
D. Silk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vicryl is an absorbable braided suture frequently selected for
buried subcutaneous tissue approximation.
Question 8
The primary purpose of the surgical time-out is to:
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Question 1
During abdominal surgery, which action by the surgical assistant best
helps maintain tissue viability and minimize postoperative
complications?
A. Grasping tissue firmly with toothed forceps throughout the
procedure
B. Keeping tissues moist and handling them as gently as possible
C. Using electrocautery continuously on all exposed tissue surfaces
D. Retracting tissues forcefully to maximize exposure for the surgeon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle handling and maintaining tissue moisture preserve
blood supply, reduce cellular injury, and decrease postoperative
inflammation and infection risk.
Question 2
Before skin incision, the surgical assistant notices that the consent form
does not match the scheduled procedure. What should occur first?
A. Continue because the surgeon already knows the correct procedure
,B. Ask the circulating nurse to correct the form later
C. Stop the process and initiate immediate verification with the surgical
team
D. Document the discrepancy after the patient leaves the operating
room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any discrepancy involving patient identity, site, or procedure
requires immediate cessation of the process and formal verification
before proceeding.
Question 3
Which instrument is most appropriate for creating and maintaining
exposure of a deep abdominal incision during laparotomy?
A. Mosquito hemostat
B. DeBakey forceps
C. Richardson retractor
D. Mayo scissors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Richardson retractor is specifically designed to retract
deep tissue layers and provide stable exposure during abdominal
procedures.
Question 4
,A patient is placed in the lithotomy position for a prolonged procedure.
Which complication is the surgical assistant most concerned about
preventing?
A. Corneal abrasion
B. Ulnar nerve compression
C. Common peroneal nerve injury
D. Facial edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The common peroneal nerve is particularly vulnerable to
compression at the fibular head during lithotomy positioning.
Question 5
Which statement about surgical counts is most accurate for the surgical
assistant’s role?
A. Counts are performed only at the end of the procedure
B. The assistant is never involved in count verification
C. Any count discrepancy must be resolved before wound closure
continues
D. Small needles do not require reconciliation when missing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All count discrepancies must be investigated and resolved
before final closure to prevent retained surgical items.
Question 6
, When passing a loaded needle holder to the surgeon, the surgical
assistant should position the needle:
A. Pointing toward the surgeon’s hand
B. In a neutral zone whenever possible and oriented for immediate use
C. Open and unsecured for faster transfer
D. With the needle removed from the holder completely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safe passing practices include using a neutral zone when
appropriate and orienting the instrument for efficient, controlled use.
Question 7
Which suture material is absorbable and commonly used for buried
subcutaneous closure?
A. Nylon
B. Polypropylene
C. Vicryl
D. Silk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vicryl is an absorbable braided suture frequently selected for
buried subcutaneous tissue approximation.
Question 8
The primary purpose of the surgical time-out is to:
