Surgical Assistant Certification Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
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
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented:
- Answer -Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: - Answer -Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - Answer -Proximal and
anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - Answer -Into the space between the spinal
canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
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,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
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - Answer
-Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? - Answer -Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: - Answer -Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - Answer -Internal
iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output
begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - Answer -More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - Answer -Increasing
blood flow to the brain
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
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, following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? - Answer -Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: - Answer -Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy
may have which of the following transient affects: - Answer -Bradycardia
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
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - Answer -Vagus Nerve
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
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the
following structures: - Answer -The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - Answer -
Splenic Artery
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2026 Questions and Answers
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
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are oriented:
- Answer -Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: - Answer -Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - Answer -Proximal and
anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - Answer -Into the space between the spinal
canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,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
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: - Answer
-Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? - Answer -Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: - Answer -Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: - Answer -Internal
iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac output
begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - Answer -More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: - Answer -Increasing
blood flow to the brain
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
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? - Answer -Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: - Answer -Lower than normal hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy
may have which of the following transient affects: - Answer -Bradycardia
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
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: - Answer -Vagus Nerve
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
The inferior mesenteric artery serves as principal blood supply to which of the
following structures: - Answer -The Splenic Flexure of the colon
The short gastric arteries are direct branches of which of the following: - Answer -
Splenic Artery
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