AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL
ASSISTANTS (ABSA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
ACCURATE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Exam Coverage
Exam coverage for the ABSA Study Guide Exam typically refers to certification
content associated with the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) or
other ABSA-related technical certification programs. For the Surgical Assistant
Certification (SA-C) pathway, the exam focuses on surgical anatomy, perioperative
patient care, sterile technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures across
specialties, emergency situations, patient safety, and OSHA standards. The
examination consists of multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate practical
and clinical knowledge required in surgical assisting roles.
1. Reverse Trendelenburg's position - ANSWER ✔ The head of the bed is
raised and the foot of the bed is lowered
2. What do ligaments connect? - ANSWER ✔ bone to bone
3. The taenia coli are - ANSWER ✔ three longitudinal bands of muscle
located beneath the serosa of the colon. Taenia coli is found in the colon
4. Normal serum potassium - ANSWER ✔ 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
5. Which of the following would be used to dilate a urethral stricture?
,Choose one
Foley
Bakes
Filiform with followers
None of the above - ANSWER ✔ Filiform with followers
6. Applying suction to a tracheostomy is limited to no more than_________
seconds. - ANSWER ✔ 10 seconds
7. chest compressions - ANSWER ✔ Rapid, deep, regular compressions on
the center of the chest in an attempt to circulate blood to the brain, lungs,
and heart. At least 2 inches in depth for an adult
8. The spleen is :
A. Gland
B. Lymphatic organ
C. Vesicle
D. None - ANSWER ✔ B. Lymphatic Organ
9. The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the
operative wrist of a 14-year old patient in supine position. The operative
extremity is positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the following
most accurately describes the movement of the operative thumb (which
direction it points) as you carry out the instructions? - ANSWER ✔ Thumb
inferior, then back to superior
10.With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: - ANSWER ✔ Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
11.A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of
the following two structures: - ANSWER ✔ Duodenum and common bile
duct
12.In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANSWER ✔
Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
13.Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANSWER ✔ Into the space between
the spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
,14.The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the
knee facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is
the structure? - ANSWER ✔ Patellar Ligament
15.The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER ✔ Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
16.The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the
three bone chokes below? - ANSWER ✔ Pubis, ischium, and ilium
17.The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of
the following structures: - ANSWER ✔ Pancreas
18.The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - ANSWER
✔ Internal iliac artery
19.After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANSWER ✔ More
than about 10%
20.Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - ANSWER
✔ Increasing blood flow to the brain
21.A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following
symptoms: low blood pressure; chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders,
and back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow breathing. Which of
the following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require
urgent surgery? - ANSWER ✔ Cardiac Tamponade
22.Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient
undergoing a surgical procedure: - ANSWER ✔ Lower than normal
hemoglobin
23.Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects: -
ANSWER ✔ Bradycardia
, 24.A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot,
and may be caused by lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the
lumbar spine), or damage to/compression of the _______ nerve as it courses
superficial to the fibular head. - ANSWER ✔ Peroneal
25.The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - ANSWER ✔ Vagus
Nerve
26.The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic
duct, and the cystic artery is referred to as: - ANSWER ✔ Calot`s triangle
27.The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of
the following structures: - ANSWER ✔ The Splenic Flexure of the colon
28.The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: -
ANSWER ✔ Splenic Artery
29.During a cardiac arrest, the best place to check for a victim's pulse is:
Choose one
Radial artery
Brachial artery
Popliteal artery
Carotid artery - ANSWER ✔ Carotid artery
30.Which suture is most inert in tissue?
Choose one
Stainless steel wire
Nylon
Silk
Polypropylene - ANSWER ✔ Stainless steel wire
31.The Islets of Langerhans secrete insulin?
Choose one
Yes
No
Unknown. - ANSWER ✔ Yes
32.An anastomosis between the colon and small bowel is called a (an):
ASSISTANTS (ABSA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
ACCURATE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Exam Coverage
Exam coverage for the ABSA Study Guide Exam typically refers to certification
content associated with the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) or
other ABSA-related technical certification programs. For the Surgical Assistant
Certification (SA-C) pathway, the exam focuses on surgical anatomy, perioperative
patient care, sterile technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures across
specialties, emergency situations, patient safety, and OSHA standards. The
examination consists of multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate practical
and clinical knowledge required in surgical assisting roles.
1. Reverse Trendelenburg's position - ANSWER ✔ The head of the bed is
raised and the foot of the bed is lowered
2. What do ligaments connect? - ANSWER ✔ bone to bone
3. The taenia coli are - ANSWER ✔ three longitudinal bands of muscle
located beneath the serosa of the colon. Taenia coli is found in the colon
4. Normal serum potassium - ANSWER ✔ 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
5. Which of the following would be used to dilate a urethral stricture?
,Choose one
Foley
Bakes
Filiform with followers
None of the above - ANSWER ✔ Filiform with followers
6. Applying suction to a tracheostomy is limited to no more than_________
seconds. - ANSWER ✔ 10 seconds
7. chest compressions - ANSWER ✔ Rapid, deep, regular compressions on
the center of the chest in an attempt to circulate blood to the brain, lungs,
and heart. At least 2 inches in depth for an adult
8. The spleen is :
A. Gland
B. Lymphatic organ
C. Vesicle
D. None - ANSWER ✔ B. Lymphatic Organ
9. The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the
operative wrist of a 14-year old patient in supine position. The operative
extremity is positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the following
most accurately describes the movement of the operative thumb (which
direction it points) as you carry out the instructions? - ANSWER ✔ Thumb
inferior, then back to superior
10.With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: - ANSWER ✔ Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
11.A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of
the following two structures: - ANSWER ✔ Duodenum and common bile
duct
12.In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANSWER ✔
Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
13.Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANSWER ✔ Into the space between
the spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
,14.The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the
knee facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is
the structure? - ANSWER ✔ Patellar Ligament
15.The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER ✔ Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
16.The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the
three bone chokes below? - ANSWER ✔ Pubis, ischium, and ilium
17.The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of
the following structures: - ANSWER ✔ Pancreas
18.The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - ANSWER
✔ Internal iliac artery
19.After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANSWER ✔ More
than about 10%
20.Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - ANSWER
✔ Increasing blood flow to the brain
21.A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following
symptoms: low blood pressure; chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders,
and back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow breathing. Which of
the following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require
urgent surgery? - ANSWER ✔ Cardiac Tamponade
22.Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient
undergoing a surgical procedure: - ANSWER ✔ Lower than normal
hemoglobin
23.Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects: -
ANSWER ✔ Bradycardia
, 24.A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot,
and may be caused by lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the
lumbar spine), or damage to/compression of the _______ nerve as it courses
superficial to the fibular head. - ANSWER ✔ Peroneal
25.The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - ANSWER ✔ Vagus
Nerve
26.The anatomic region bordered by the cystic duct, to the common hepatic
duct, and the cystic artery is referred to as: - ANSWER ✔ Calot`s triangle
27.The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of
the following structures: - ANSWER ✔ The Splenic Flexure of the colon
28.The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: -
ANSWER ✔ Splenic Artery
29.During a cardiac arrest, the best place to check for a victim's pulse is:
Choose one
Radial artery
Brachial artery
Popliteal artery
Carotid artery - ANSWER ✔ Carotid artery
30.Which suture is most inert in tissue?
Choose one
Stainless steel wire
Nylon
Silk
Polypropylene - ANSWER ✔ Stainless steel wire
31.The Islets of Langerhans secrete insulin?
Choose one
Yes
No
Unknown. - ANSWER ✔ Yes
32.An anastomosis between the colon and small bowel is called a (an):
