1
ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2026/2027 | SA-C | 100 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED |
PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS AND STERILIZATION - Questions 1-10
Q1: Sterile Field
The student is reviewing surgical asepsis. Which action violates the sterile field?
A. Opening sterile packages away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
D. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile items
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it. Sterile fields must be kept in view, above
waist level, and not reached over. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Sterilization Methods
The student is reviewing sterilization. Which method is most commonly used for surgical
instruments?
A. Dry heat
B. Steam autoclave
C. Chemical soak
D. UV light
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steam autoclaving is the most common and effective method for sterilizing surgical
instruments, using pressurized steam at 121°C or 134°C. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Spaulding Classification
The student is reviewing instrument classification. According to Spaulding, a surgical instrument that
enters sterile tissue is classified as:
A. Critical
B. Semi-critical
C. Non-critical
D. Clean
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and must be sterilized. Semi-
critical items contact mucous membranes; non-critical items contact intact skin. [100% CORRECT]
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Q4: Sterile Technique
The student is reviewing sterile technique. What is the minimum length of time for surgical hand
scrub?
A. 1 minute
B. 3 minutes
C. 5 minutes
D. 10 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A surgical hand scrub typically requires 5 minutes for the first scrub, using an
antimicrobial soap and friction on all surfaces of hands and forearms. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Gowning and Gloving
The student is reviewing sterile attire. When gowning and gloving, which is correct?
A. The sterile gown is put on before gloves
B. Gloves are put on before the gown
C. Gloves are put on after the gown, with the closed technique
D. Gloves are optional
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After donning the sterile gown, the closed gloving technique is used to put on sterile
gloves without touching the skin. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Contamination
The student is reviewing asepsis. What should you do if a sterile item touches a non-sterile surface?
A. Use it anyway
B. Consider it contaminated and replace it
C. Wipe it with alcohol
D. Ignore it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any sterile item that contacts a non-sterile surface is contaminated and must be replaced.
[100% CORRECT]
Q7: Operating Room Environment
The student is reviewing OR environment. What is the recommended air exchange rate for operating
rooms?
A. 5 exchanges per hour
B. 10 exchanges per hour
C. 15 exchanges per hour
D. 20 exchanges per hour
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ORs should have at least 20 air exchanges per hour, with positive pressure and HEPA
filtration to reduce infection risk. [100% CORRECT]
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Q8: Surgical Scrub
The student is reviewing hand hygiene. Which agent is preferred for surgical hand antisepsis?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Chlorhexidine gluconate
C. Plain soap
D. Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chlorhexidine gluconate is commonly used for surgical scrubs due to its persistent
antimicrobial activity. Alcohol rubs may be used with specific protocols. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Sterile Draping
The student is reviewing draping. When applying sterile drapes, the drape should be:
A. Placed from sterile to non-sterile area
B. Placed from non-sterile to sterile area
C. Shaken to unfold
D. Touched only on the edges
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drapes are placed from the sterile area outward to avoid contaminating the sterile field.
[100% CORRECT]
Q10: Flash Sterilization
The student is reviewing sterilization. What is flash sterilization?
A. Sterilization of items for immediate use
B. Sterilization of items for storage
C. Chemical disinfection
D. Autoclaving at low temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flash sterilization is used for items needed immediately, without packaging, and should
be minimized due to increased contamination risk. [100% CORRECT]
SECTION 2: SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT - Questions 11-20
Q11: Scalpel Handle
The student is reviewing instruments. Which scalpel handle is used with a #10 blade?
A. #3
B. #4
C. #7
D. #9
ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2026/2027 | SA-C | 100 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED |
PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS AND STERILIZATION - Questions 1-10
Q1: Sterile Field
The student is reviewing surgical asepsis. Which action violates the sterile field?
A. Opening sterile packages away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
D. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile items
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it. Sterile fields must be kept in view, above
waist level, and not reached over. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Sterilization Methods
The student is reviewing sterilization. Which method is most commonly used for surgical
instruments?
A. Dry heat
B. Steam autoclave
C. Chemical soak
D. UV light
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steam autoclaving is the most common and effective method for sterilizing surgical
instruments, using pressurized steam at 121°C or 134°C. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Spaulding Classification
The student is reviewing instrument classification. According to Spaulding, a surgical instrument that
enters sterile tissue is classified as:
A. Critical
B. Semi-critical
C. Non-critical
D. Clean
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and must be sterilized. Semi-
critical items contact mucous membranes; non-critical items contact intact skin. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Sterile Technique
The student is reviewing sterile technique. What is the minimum length of time for surgical hand
scrub?
A. 1 minute
B. 3 minutes
C. 5 minutes
D. 10 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A surgical hand scrub typically requires 5 minutes for the first scrub, using an
antimicrobial soap and friction on all surfaces of hands and forearms. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Gowning and Gloving
The student is reviewing sterile attire. When gowning and gloving, which is correct?
A. The sterile gown is put on before gloves
B. Gloves are put on before the gown
C. Gloves are put on after the gown, with the closed technique
D. Gloves are optional
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After donning the sterile gown, the closed gloving technique is used to put on sterile
gloves without touching the skin. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Contamination
The student is reviewing asepsis. What should you do if a sterile item touches a non-sterile surface?
A. Use it anyway
B. Consider it contaminated and replace it
C. Wipe it with alcohol
D. Ignore it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any sterile item that contacts a non-sterile surface is contaminated and must be replaced.
[100% CORRECT]
Q7: Operating Room Environment
The student is reviewing OR environment. What is the recommended air exchange rate for operating
rooms?
A. 5 exchanges per hour
B. 10 exchanges per hour
C. 15 exchanges per hour
D. 20 exchanges per hour
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ORs should have at least 20 air exchanges per hour, with positive pressure and HEPA
filtration to reduce infection risk. [100% CORRECT]
, 3
Q8: Surgical Scrub
The student is reviewing hand hygiene. Which agent is preferred for surgical hand antisepsis?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Chlorhexidine gluconate
C. Plain soap
D. Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chlorhexidine gluconate is commonly used for surgical scrubs due to its persistent
antimicrobial activity. Alcohol rubs may be used with specific protocols. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Sterile Draping
The student is reviewing draping. When applying sterile drapes, the drape should be:
A. Placed from sterile to non-sterile area
B. Placed from non-sterile to sterile area
C. Shaken to unfold
D. Touched only on the edges
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drapes are placed from the sterile area outward to avoid contaminating the sterile field.
[100% CORRECT]
Q10: Flash Sterilization
The student is reviewing sterilization. What is flash sterilization?
A. Sterilization of items for immediate use
B. Sterilization of items for storage
C. Chemical disinfection
D. Autoclaving at low temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flash sterilization is used for items needed immediately, without packaging, and should
be minimized due to increased contamination risk. [100% CORRECT]
SECTION 2: SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT - Questions 11-20
Q11: Scalpel Handle
The student is reviewing instruments. Which scalpel handle is used with a #10 blade?
A. #3
B. #4
C. #7
D. #9
