ABSA Study Guide Questions With Correct Answers.
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive study guide provides practice questions for the ABSA
(American Board of Surgical Assistants) exam, covering sterile technique,
surgical pharmacology, anesthesia, and patient care. It includes verified
answers and detailed rationales for critical surgical concepts. This
resource ensures thorough preparation for certification success.
Question 1
Which is not considered part of a sterile field?
A. Gloves of sterile person who has folded their arms
B. The top of a sterile table
C. The inside of a sterile package
D. The area above the sterile field
Correct Answer: A. Gloves of sterile person who has folded their
arms
Rationale: When a sterile person folds their arms, their hands are
considered contaminated because they are not visible and are not within
the sterile field.
Question 2
The presence of only one living microorganism means an object is:
,A. Sterile
B. Contaminated
C. Disinfected
D. Sanitized
Correct Answer: B. Contaminated
Rationale: Any object that harbors even one living microorganism is
considered contaminated. Sterility requires the complete absence of all
living microorganisms.
Question 3
Which statement concerning masks is not true?
A. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of head
B. Masks should cover the nose and mouth
C. Masks should be changed when soiled
D. Masks provide protection against airborne pathogens
Correct Answer: A. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of head
Rationale: Masks should be tied securely at the back of the head and
neck, not crisscrossed on top of the head. Proper placement ensures a
snug fit over the nose and mouth.
Question 4
In draping a table, the scrub nurse drapes from _____ to _____,
protecting her gloves _____.
A. Front, back, by cuffing drape edge
B. Back, front, by touching only the sterile side
,C. Top, bottom, by holding edges with forceps
D. Side, side, by wearing two pairs of gloves
Correct Answer: A. Front, back, by cuffing drape edge
Rationale: The scrub nurse drapes from front to back, protecting her
gloves by cuffing the drape edge over her hands.
Question 5
The purpose of the hand scrub by the team is to render their skin:
A. Sterile
B. Surgically clean
C. Disinfected
D. Sanitized
Correct Answer: B. Surgically clean
Rationale: The purpose of the surgical hand scrub is to render the skin
surgically clean, reducing the microbial count to a safe level. It does not
sterilize the skin.
Question 6
After steam sterilization, which items should not be considered
sterile?
A. Suction tips attached to tubing
B. Asepto syringes with bulbs attached
C. Cautery tips bound with rubber bands
D. All of the above
, Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Suction tips attached to tubing, Asepto syringes with bulbs
attached, and cautery tips bound with rubber bands should not be
considered sterile after steam sterilization because steam cannot
penetrate these areas effectively.
Question 7
Because there is less chance contamination, the preferred method
of gloving is _____. For changing only a glove during a case, this
method _____ be used.
A. Closed, cannot
B. Open, can
C. Closed, can
D. Open, cannot
Correct Answer: A. Closed, cannot
Rationale: The closed gloving method is preferred because there is less
chance of contamination. However, for changing only a glove during a
case, the open method must be used.
Question 8
Which directive for loading a pressure steam sterilizer is incorrect?
A. Loading liquids first to prevent spillage on packs
B. Placing packs on their edge to allow steam penetration
C. Leaving space between items for steam circulation
D. Loading items of similar weight together
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive study guide provides practice questions for the ABSA
(American Board of Surgical Assistants) exam, covering sterile technique,
surgical pharmacology, anesthesia, and patient care. It includes verified
answers and detailed rationales for critical surgical concepts. This
resource ensures thorough preparation for certification success.
Question 1
Which is not considered part of a sterile field?
A. Gloves of sterile person who has folded their arms
B. The top of a sterile table
C. The inside of a sterile package
D. The area above the sterile field
Correct Answer: A. Gloves of sterile person who has folded their
arms
Rationale: When a sterile person folds their arms, their hands are
considered contaminated because they are not visible and are not within
the sterile field.
Question 2
The presence of only one living microorganism means an object is:
,A. Sterile
B. Contaminated
C. Disinfected
D. Sanitized
Correct Answer: B. Contaminated
Rationale: Any object that harbors even one living microorganism is
considered contaminated. Sterility requires the complete absence of all
living microorganisms.
Question 3
Which statement concerning masks is not true?
A. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of head
B. Masks should cover the nose and mouth
C. Masks should be changed when soiled
D. Masks provide protection against airborne pathogens
Correct Answer: A. Ties may be tied crisscross on top of head
Rationale: Masks should be tied securely at the back of the head and
neck, not crisscrossed on top of the head. Proper placement ensures a
snug fit over the nose and mouth.
Question 4
In draping a table, the scrub nurse drapes from _____ to _____,
protecting her gloves _____.
A. Front, back, by cuffing drape edge
B. Back, front, by touching only the sterile side
,C. Top, bottom, by holding edges with forceps
D. Side, side, by wearing two pairs of gloves
Correct Answer: A. Front, back, by cuffing drape edge
Rationale: The scrub nurse drapes from front to back, protecting her
gloves by cuffing the drape edge over her hands.
Question 5
The purpose of the hand scrub by the team is to render their skin:
A. Sterile
B. Surgically clean
C. Disinfected
D. Sanitized
Correct Answer: B. Surgically clean
Rationale: The purpose of the surgical hand scrub is to render the skin
surgically clean, reducing the microbial count to a safe level. It does not
sterilize the skin.
Question 6
After steam sterilization, which items should not be considered
sterile?
A. Suction tips attached to tubing
B. Asepto syringes with bulbs attached
C. Cautery tips bound with rubber bands
D. All of the above
, Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Suction tips attached to tubing, Asepto syringes with bulbs
attached, and cautery tips bound with rubber bands should not be
considered sterile after steam sterilization because steam cannot
penetrate these areas effectively.
Question 7
Because there is less chance contamination, the preferred method
of gloving is _____. For changing only a glove during a case, this
method _____ be used.
A. Closed, cannot
B. Open, can
C. Closed, can
D. Open, cannot
Correct Answer: A. Closed, cannot
Rationale: The closed gloving method is preferred because there is less
chance of contamination. However, for changing only a glove during a
case, the open method must be used.
Question 8
Which directive for loading a pressure steam sterilizer is incorrect?
A. Loading liquids first to prevent spillage on packs
B. Placing packs on their edge to allow steam penetration
C. Leaving space between items for steam circulation
D. Loading items of similar weight together
