Page |1
ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM Part 1, 2, 3: Questions
1–300+ | Detailed Rationales
Content Areas:
Anatomy, Surgical Asepsis, Instrumentation, Positioning,
Suturing & Wound Closure, Hemostasis, Patient Safety,
Perioperative Complications, Pharmacology, Anesthesia, Wound
Healing, Professional Practice
Question 1
Which of the following is the outermost layer of the abdominal
wall encountered during a midline laparotomy?
A. Peritoneum
B. Posterior rectus sheath
C. Anterior rectus sheath
D. Skin
E. Transversalis fascia
Answer: D
Rationale: The skin is the most superficial layer; the order of
abdominal wall layers from superficial to deep is skin,
subcutaneous tissue, anterior rectus sheath (above arcuate
line), muscle, posterior rectus sheath, transversalis fascia, and
peritoneum.
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Question 2
The triangle of Calot is bordered by the cystic duct, common
hepatic duct, and which structure?
A. Cystic artery
B. Right hepatic artery
C. Gastroduodenal artery
D. Portal vein
E. Common bile duct
Answer: A
Rationale: The triangle of Calot is formed by the cystic duct,
common hepatic duct, and cystic artery. It is a critical anatomic
landmark during cholecystectomy.
Question 3
Which nerve is at risk during a thyroidectomy and is responsible
for vocal cord abduction?
A. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
B. Superior laryngeal nerve
C. Hypoglossal nerve
D. Glossopharyngeal nerve
E. Vagus nerve only
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Answer: A
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all intrinsic
laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid; injury causes
hoarseness and airway compromise. The superior laryngeal
nerve (external branch) affects pitch but not abduction.
Question 4
The correct order for donning a sterile gown and gloves is:
A. Gloves then gown
B. Gown then gloves
C. Mask then gloves then gown
D. Gown, mask, gloves
E. Any order is acceptable
Answer: B
Rationale: After surgical hand scrub, the sterile gown is donned
first, followed by sterile gloves using closed or open gloving
technique, ensuring cuffs remain covered.
Question 5
Which of the following is an example of a Class I surgical
wound?
A. Elective inguinal hernia repair with no break in technique
B. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis without perforation
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C. Ruptured viscus
D. Traumatic wound with devitalized tissue
E. Cholecystectomy for gangrenous gallbladder
Answer: A
Rationale: Class I (clean) wounds are uninfected, elective,
closed primarily, and do not enter respiratory, GI, or GU tracts.
Hernia repair is clean.
Question 6
The primary purpose of the Trendelenburg position is to:
A. Improve exposure of the pelvis by shifting abdominal
contents cephalad
B. Reduce blood pressure
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Improve lung compliance
E. Decrease intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Trendelenburg uses gravity to move abdominal
viscera toward the diaphragm, improving pelvic exposure. It can
increase ICP and decrease lung compliance.
Question 7
ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM Part 1, 2, 3: Questions
1–300+ | Detailed Rationales
Content Areas:
Anatomy, Surgical Asepsis, Instrumentation, Positioning,
Suturing & Wound Closure, Hemostasis, Patient Safety,
Perioperative Complications, Pharmacology, Anesthesia, Wound
Healing, Professional Practice
Question 1
Which of the following is the outermost layer of the abdominal
wall encountered during a midline laparotomy?
A. Peritoneum
B. Posterior rectus sheath
C. Anterior rectus sheath
D. Skin
E. Transversalis fascia
Answer: D
Rationale: The skin is the most superficial layer; the order of
abdominal wall layers from superficial to deep is skin,
subcutaneous tissue, anterior rectus sheath (above arcuate
line), muscle, posterior rectus sheath, transversalis fascia, and
peritoneum.
, Page |2
Question 2
The triangle of Calot is bordered by the cystic duct, common
hepatic duct, and which structure?
A. Cystic artery
B. Right hepatic artery
C. Gastroduodenal artery
D. Portal vein
E. Common bile duct
Answer: A
Rationale: The triangle of Calot is formed by the cystic duct,
common hepatic duct, and cystic artery. It is a critical anatomic
landmark during cholecystectomy.
Question 3
Which nerve is at risk during a thyroidectomy and is responsible
for vocal cord abduction?
A. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
B. Superior laryngeal nerve
C. Hypoglossal nerve
D. Glossopharyngeal nerve
E. Vagus nerve only
, Page |3
Answer: A
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all intrinsic
laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid; injury causes
hoarseness and airway compromise. The superior laryngeal
nerve (external branch) affects pitch but not abduction.
Question 4
The correct order for donning a sterile gown and gloves is:
A. Gloves then gown
B. Gown then gloves
C. Mask then gloves then gown
D. Gown, mask, gloves
E. Any order is acceptable
Answer: B
Rationale: After surgical hand scrub, the sterile gown is donned
first, followed by sterile gloves using closed or open gloving
technique, ensuring cuffs remain covered.
Question 5
Which of the following is an example of a Class I surgical
wound?
A. Elective inguinal hernia repair with no break in technique
B. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis without perforation
, Page |4
C. Ruptured viscus
D. Traumatic wound with devitalized tissue
E. Cholecystectomy for gangrenous gallbladder
Answer: A
Rationale: Class I (clean) wounds are uninfected, elective,
closed primarily, and do not enter respiratory, GI, or GU tracts.
Hernia repair is clean.
Question 6
The primary purpose of the Trendelenburg position is to:
A. Improve exposure of the pelvis by shifting abdominal
contents cephalad
B. Reduce blood pressure
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Improve lung compliance
E. Decrease intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Trendelenburg uses gravity to move abdominal
viscera toward the diaphragm, improving pelvic exposure. It can
increase ICP and decrease lung compliance.
Question 7
