AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL
ASSISTANTS (ABSA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM 100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES 2026/2027 UPDATE | SA-C
EXAM PREP 100% PASS GUARANTEE
Core Domains
• Preoperative Assessment & Preparation: Patient assessment,
surgical safety checklist, DNR orders, medication management,
and patient positioning.
• Asepsis & Sterile Technique: Sterilization methods, sterile field
maintenance, surgical scrub, and infection control.
• Surgical Anatomy & Physiology: Major body systems,
abdominal wall layers, and anatomical considerations for surgical
procedures.
• Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment: Clamps, forceps,
retractors, electrocautery, and laparoscopic instruments.
• Operative Procedures & Techniques: General surgery,
orthopedic, gynecological, cardiothoracic, and robotic surgery.
• Suture Materials & Wound Healing: Suture types, needle
selection, wound closure techniques, and phases of healing.
• Pharmacology & Anesthesia: Anesthetic agents, malignant
hyperthermia, and perioperative medication management.
• Postoperative Care & Complications: Wound care, DVT
prophylaxis, and management of postoperative complications.
, • Professional Practice, Ethics & Legal Standards: Scope of
practice, OSHA/HIPAA compliance, and code of ethics.
Introduction
The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Surgical Assistant –
Certified (SA-C) Examination is a national certification exam that
evaluates the knowledge and competence of surgical assistants. The
exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (140 scored, 10 unscored
pretest items) with a three-hour time limit and a passing score of 70%.
The content covers perioperative care, surgical anatomy, aseptic
technique, instrumentation, operative procedures, wound healing,
pharmacology, and professional practice standards. This practice
examination reflects the official ABSA content outline with detailed
rationales grounded in surgical assisting practice standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Before the surgical incision is made, the surgical assistant's
primary responsibility is to ensure that:
A. The operative note has already been completed
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have
been verified according to the surgical safety checklist
C. The wound dressing has been applied
D. The surgical team has taken a break
Correct answer
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have
been verified according to the surgical safety checklist
RATIONALE: Verification through the surgical safety checklist is
the critical safety measure performed before incision to prevent wrong-
site, wrong-patient, and wrong-procedure surgeries. The "time out" is a
formal process in which all team members must participate just prior to
incision .
,2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order. What should the surgical team do?
A. Automatically suspend the DNR order during surgery
B. Discuss the DNR order with the patient and/or family and determine
the plan for the perioperative period
C. Ignore the DNR order
D. Proceed with surgery without addressing the DNR
Correct answer
B. Discuss the DNR order with the patient and/or family and determine
the plan for the perioperative period
RATIONALE: DNR orders should be discussed with the patient
and/or family before surgery to determine the plan for the perioperative
period. Many facilities require a "required reconsideration" of the DNR
order before proceeding with surgery .
3. The surgical "time-out" is performed primarily to:
A. Allow staff to prepare instruments
B. Confirm patient identity, procedure, operative site, and team
readiness before incision
C. Count surgical sponges
D. Prepare postoperative orders
Correct answer
B. Confirm patient identity, procedure, operative site, and team
readiness before incision
RATIONALE: The time-out is a critical patient safety measure
established by The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol. It is
performed immediately before incision to verify the correct patient,
procedure, and surgical site .
, 4. Which medication should be reviewed preoperatively due to its
effect on platelet function?
A. Metformin
B. Aspirin
C. Lisinopril
D. Levothyroxine
Correct answer
B. Aspirin
RATIONALE: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation for
the life of the platelet (7-10 days). It should be reviewed preoperatively
and typically withheld before elective surgery to reduce bleeding risk .
5. A patient has a history of malignant hyperthermia. Which
preoperative action is most important?
A. Administer dantrolene preoperatively
B. Ensure a malignant hyperthermia cart is available
C. Avoid all anesthetics
D. Use only local anesthesia
Correct answer
B. Ensure a malignant hyperthermia cart is available
RATIONALE: For patients with a history of malignant
hyperthermia, the surgical team must ensure that a malignant
hyperthermia cart (containing dantrolene) is available. Triggering agents
such as succinylcholine and volatile anesthetics should be avoided .
6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and takes metformin for
diabetes. What is the appropriate preoperative management?
A. Continue metformin as usual
B. Hold metformin 24-48 hours before surgery
ASSISTANTS (ABSA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM 100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES 2026/2027 UPDATE | SA-C
EXAM PREP 100% PASS GUARANTEE
Core Domains
• Preoperative Assessment & Preparation: Patient assessment,
surgical safety checklist, DNR orders, medication management,
and patient positioning.
• Asepsis & Sterile Technique: Sterilization methods, sterile field
maintenance, surgical scrub, and infection control.
• Surgical Anatomy & Physiology: Major body systems,
abdominal wall layers, and anatomical considerations for surgical
procedures.
• Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment: Clamps, forceps,
retractors, electrocautery, and laparoscopic instruments.
• Operative Procedures & Techniques: General surgery,
orthopedic, gynecological, cardiothoracic, and robotic surgery.
• Suture Materials & Wound Healing: Suture types, needle
selection, wound closure techniques, and phases of healing.
• Pharmacology & Anesthesia: Anesthetic agents, malignant
hyperthermia, and perioperative medication management.
• Postoperative Care & Complications: Wound care, DVT
prophylaxis, and management of postoperative complications.
, • Professional Practice, Ethics & Legal Standards: Scope of
practice, OSHA/HIPAA compliance, and code of ethics.
Introduction
The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Surgical Assistant –
Certified (SA-C) Examination is a national certification exam that
evaluates the knowledge and competence of surgical assistants. The
exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (140 scored, 10 unscored
pretest items) with a three-hour time limit and a passing score of 70%.
The content covers perioperative care, surgical anatomy, aseptic
technique, instrumentation, operative procedures, wound healing,
pharmacology, and professional practice standards. This practice
examination reflects the official ABSA content outline with detailed
rationales grounded in surgical assisting practice standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Before the surgical incision is made, the surgical assistant's
primary responsibility is to ensure that:
A. The operative note has already been completed
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have
been verified according to the surgical safety checklist
C. The wound dressing has been applied
D. The surgical team has taken a break
Correct answer
B. The correct patient, procedure, site, and required equipment have
been verified according to the surgical safety checklist
RATIONALE: Verification through the surgical safety checklist is
the critical safety measure performed before incision to prevent wrong-
site, wrong-patient, and wrong-procedure surgeries. The "time out" is a
formal process in which all team members must participate just prior to
incision .
,2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order. What should the surgical team do?
A. Automatically suspend the DNR order during surgery
B. Discuss the DNR order with the patient and/or family and determine
the plan for the perioperative period
C. Ignore the DNR order
D. Proceed with surgery without addressing the DNR
Correct answer
B. Discuss the DNR order with the patient and/or family and determine
the plan for the perioperative period
RATIONALE: DNR orders should be discussed with the patient
and/or family before surgery to determine the plan for the perioperative
period. Many facilities require a "required reconsideration" of the DNR
order before proceeding with surgery .
3. The surgical "time-out" is performed primarily to:
A. Allow staff to prepare instruments
B. Confirm patient identity, procedure, operative site, and team
readiness before incision
C. Count surgical sponges
D. Prepare postoperative orders
Correct answer
B. Confirm patient identity, procedure, operative site, and team
readiness before incision
RATIONALE: The time-out is a critical patient safety measure
established by The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol. It is
performed immediately before incision to verify the correct patient,
procedure, and surgical site .
, 4. Which medication should be reviewed preoperatively due to its
effect on platelet function?
A. Metformin
B. Aspirin
C. Lisinopril
D. Levothyroxine
Correct answer
B. Aspirin
RATIONALE: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation for
the life of the platelet (7-10 days). It should be reviewed preoperatively
and typically withheld before elective surgery to reduce bleeding risk .
5. A patient has a history of malignant hyperthermia. Which
preoperative action is most important?
A. Administer dantrolene preoperatively
B. Ensure a malignant hyperthermia cart is available
C. Avoid all anesthetics
D. Use only local anesthesia
Correct answer
B. Ensure a malignant hyperthermia cart is available
RATIONALE: For patients with a history of malignant
hyperthermia, the surgical team must ensure that a malignant
hyperthermia cart (containing dantrolene) is available. Triggering agents
such as succinylcholine and volatile anesthetics should be avoided .
6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and takes metformin for
diabetes. What is the appropriate preoperative management?
A. Continue metformin as usual
B. Hold metformin 24-48 hours before surgery
