ABSA SURGICAL ASSISTANT EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALE 2026 Q&A| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Section 1: Perioperative
Part A: Preoperative
1. A 45-year-old male is scheduled for an elective indirect inguinal hernia repair.
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During the preoperative assessment, the patient reveals he has been taking
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aspirin 81 mg daily. When should the patient be instructed to discontinue this medication p
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
rior to surgery?
gn gn
A) 24 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
B) 48 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
C) 72 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
D) 7 days before surgery
gn gn gn
Answer: D) 7 days before surgery gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function for the lifespan of the
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
platelet (7– gn
10 days). Discontinuing aspirin 7 days before surgery allows adequate platelet rege
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neration and reduces bleeding risk during surgery.
gn gn gn gn gn gn
2. A patient requires emergency surgery following a motor vehicle accident. The pa
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tient is unconscious, and no family member is immediately available. What is the a
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ppropriate legal action regarding informed consent? gn gn gn gn gn
A) Delay surgery until a family member can be contacted
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
B) Obtain verbal consent from the patient's primary care physician
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,C) Proceed with surgery under the doctrine of implied consent gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
D) Obtain consent from the hospital administrator gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: C) Proceed with surgery under the doctrine of implied consent
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Rationale: In emergency situations where the patient is unable to consent and no sur
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rogate decision-maker is available, the doctrine of implied consent permits life-
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saving treatment under the legal principle that a reasonable person would consent to
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emergency care if they were able. gn gn gn gn gn
3. Which of the following is a Class A recommendation for surgical antibiotic pr
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
ophylaxis?
A) Cefazolin 1 g IV within 60 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
B) Vancomycin 1 g IV within 120 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
C) Gentamicin 5 mg/kg IV immediately after incision gn gn gn gn gn gn
D) Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV 30 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: A) Cefazolin 1 g IV within 60 minutes before incision
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: Cefazolin (1- gn gn
2 g IV) is the standard prophylactic antibiotic for most clean and clean-
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
contaminated procedures. It should be administered within 60 minutes before surgic gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
al incision to achieve adequate tissue concentrations at the time of
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
incision.
4. A 62-year- gn
old patient is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. Preoperative laboratory resu
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lts show a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL, hematocrit of 30%, and
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
platelet count of 350,000/µL. Which additional preoperative test is most important
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for this patient?
gn gn
A) Type and screen only gn gn gn
B) Type and crossmatch gn gn
C) Coagulation studies gn
D) Serum electrolytes gn
Answer: B) Type and crossmatch gn gn gn gn
,|
, Rationale: Total knee arthroplasty is associated with significant potential blood loss (
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
500–
1500 mL). With a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL, this patient has limited reserve for blood
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn g
loss, making type and crossmatch preparation essential for
n gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
possible transfusion. gn
Part B: Operative – General Surgery (11%)
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5. Duringa laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgical assistant observes the
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surgeon dissecting near the hepatocystic triangle. Which two structures must be cle
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arly identified before clipping to achieve the "Critical View of Safety"?
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A) Cystic duct and common bile duct gn gn gn gn gn
B) Cystic duct and cystic artery gn gn gn gn
C) Cystic artery and hepatic artery gn gn gn gn
D) Common bile duct and hepatic duct gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: B) Cystic duct and cystic artery gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: The Critical View of Safety requires clearing the hepatocystic triangle of all
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fat and tissue so that only the cystic duct and cystic artery are seen entering the gallbl
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
adder. This is essential to prevent iatrogenic bile duct injury, one of the most serious c
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
omplications of cholecystectomy. gn gn
6. A 55-year- gn
old patient undergoes a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. During the pro
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cedure, the assistant notes that the ileocolic artery has been ligated. What is t
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he primary anatomical function of this vessel?
gn gn gn gn gn gn
A) Supplies the transverse colon gn gn gn
B) Supplies the terminal ileum and cecum gn gn gn gn gn
C) Supplies the sigmoid colon gn gn gn
D) Supplies the ascending colon only gn gn gn gn
Answer: B) Supplies the terminal ileum and cecum gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: The ileocolic artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery and
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
provides blood supply to the terminal ileum, cecum, and proximal ascending colon. Lig
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
ation is necessary during right hemicolectomy but requires careful attention to ensur
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e adequate remaining blood supply to the ileum.
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QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALE 2026 Q&A| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Section 1: Perioperative
Part A: Preoperative
1. A 45-year-old male is scheduled for an elective indirect inguinal hernia repair.
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
During the preoperative assessment, the patient reveals he has been taking
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
aspirin 81 mg daily. When should the patient be instructed to discontinue this medication p
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
rior to surgery?
gn gn
A) 24 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
B) 48 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
C) 72 hours before surgery
gn gn gn
D) 7 days before surgery
gn gn gn
Answer: D) 7 days before surgery gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function for the lifespan of the
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
platelet (7– gn
10 days). Discontinuing aspirin 7 days before surgery allows adequate platelet rege
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
neration and reduces bleeding risk during surgery.
gn gn gn gn gn gn
2. A patient requires emergency surgery following a motor vehicle accident. The pa
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
tient is unconscious, and no family member is immediately available. What is the a
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
ppropriate legal action regarding informed consent? gn gn gn gn gn
A) Delay surgery until a family member can be contacted
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
B) Obtain verbal consent from the patient's primary care physician
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
,C) Proceed with surgery under the doctrine of implied consent gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
D) Obtain consent from the hospital administrator gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: C) Proceed with surgery under the doctrine of implied consent
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: In emergency situations where the patient is unable to consent and no sur
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
rogate decision-maker is available, the doctrine of implied consent permits life-
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
saving treatment under the legal principle that a reasonable person would consent to
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
emergency care if they were able. gn gn gn gn gn
3. Which of the following is a Class A recommendation for surgical antibiotic pr
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
ophylaxis?
A) Cefazolin 1 g IV within 60 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
B) Vancomycin 1 g IV within 120 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
C) Gentamicin 5 mg/kg IV immediately after incision gn gn gn gn gn gn
D) Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV 30 minutes before incision gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: A) Cefazolin 1 g IV within 60 minutes before incision
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: Cefazolin (1- gn gn
2 g IV) is the standard prophylactic antibiotic for most clean and clean-
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
contaminated procedures. It should be administered within 60 minutes before surgic gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
al incision to achieve adequate tissue concentrations at the time of
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
incision.
4. A 62-year- gn
old patient is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. Preoperative laboratory resu
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
lts show a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL, hematocrit of 30%, and
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
platelet count of 350,000/µL. Which additional preoperative test is most important
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
for this patient?
gn gn
A) Type and screen only gn gn gn
B) Type and crossmatch gn gn
C) Coagulation studies gn
D) Serum electrolytes gn
Answer: B) Type and crossmatch gn gn gn gn
,|
, Rationale: Total knee arthroplasty is associated with significant potential blood loss (
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
500–
1500 mL). With a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL, this patient has limited reserve for blood
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn g
loss, making type and crossmatch preparation essential for
n gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
possible transfusion. gn
Part B: Operative – General Surgery (11%)
gn gn gn gn gn gn
5. Duringa laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgical assistant observes the
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
surgeon dissecting near the hepatocystic triangle. Which two structures must be cle
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
arly identified before clipping to achieve the "Critical View of Safety"?
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
A) Cystic duct and common bile duct gn gn gn gn gn
B) Cystic duct and cystic artery gn gn gn gn
C) Cystic artery and hepatic artery gn gn gn gn
D) Common bile duct and hepatic duct gn gn gn gn gn
Answer: B) Cystic duct and cystic artery gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: The Critical View of Safety requires clearing the hepatocystic triangle of all
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
fat and tissue so that only the cystic duct and cystic artery are seen entering the gallbl
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
adder. This is essential to prevent iatrogenic bile duct injury, one of the most serious c
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
omplications of cholecystectomy. gn gn
6. A 55-year- gn
old patient undergoes a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. During the pro
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
cedure, the assistant notes that the ileocolic artery has been ligated. What is t
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
he primary anatomical function of this vessel?
gn gn gn gn gn gn
A) Supplies the transverse colon gn gn gn
B) Supplies the terminal ileum and cecum gn gn gn gn gn
C) Supplies the sigmoid colon gn gn gn
D) Supplies the ascending colon only gn gn gn gn
Answer: B) Supplies the terminal ileum and cecum gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
Rationale: The ileocolic artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery and
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
provides blood supply to the terminal ileum, cecum, and proximal ascending colon. Lig
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
ation is necessary during right hemicolectomy but requires careful attention to ensur
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
e adequate remaining blood supply to the ileum.
gn gn gn gn gn gn gn
