Deck 44: Assisting With Minor Surgery

Question 1

The first step in preventing a nonsurgical wound from becoming infected is ____.

A) cleansing
B) irrigation
C) debridement
D) electrocauterization
E) draining

Answer 1

cleansing

Question 2

Which method uses a needle, probe, or loop heated by electric current to destroy target tissue?

A) Conventional surgery
B) Laser surgery
C) Cryosurgery
D) Electrocauterization
E) Needle biopsy

Answer 2

Electrocauterization

Question 3

How does a laser cut away tissue?

A) It vaporizes unwanted tissue.
B) Extreme cold destroys unwanted tissue.
C) A needle heated by electric current destroys the target tissue.
D) It removes all unwanted tissue with a sharp blade.
E) The bright light shrinks the tissue.

Answer 3

It vaporizes unwanted tissue.

Question 4

Debridement is ____.

A) a collection of pus that forms as a result of infection
B) the surgical removal of debris or dead tissue from a wound
C) a deep wound caused by a sharp object
D) the use of extreme cold to destroy unwanted tissue
E) the process of aspirating fluid and tissue cells through a needle

Question 5

Which of the following should you include in preparing a patient for electrocauterization?

A) Tell the patient that more than one freezing cycle may be necessary
B) Ask the patient to wear safety goggles during the procedure
C) Place a grounding pad somewhere on the patient's body
D) Tell the patient that a sterile dressing will be applied after the procedure
E) Reassure the patient that some pain, swelling, and redness is normal

Question 6

An advantage of laser surgery is that ____.

A) it promotes quick healing and prevents infection
B) a local anesthetic is never necessary, because the cold itself reduces sensation
C) no instructions on wound care are required after the procedure
D) no dressing is applied after the procedure
E) sterile instruments are not necessary

Question 7

A small amount of tissue removed from the body for examination under a microscope is a(n) ____.

A) debridement
B) incision
C) biopsy specimen
D) laceration
E) abscess

Question 8

The proliferation phase of healing is characterized by ____.

A) a constriction of blood vessels
B) the formation of scar tissue
C) a release of white blood cells
D) the development of new tissue
E) the clotting of blood

Question 9

Which of the following uses an intense beam of light to cut away tissue?

A) Cryosurgery
B) Electrocauterization
C) Conventional surgery
D) Needle biopsy
E) Laser surgery

Question 10

A medical assistant should include which of the following in preparing a patient for cryosurgery?

A) Place a grounding pad somewhere on the patient's body
B) Ask the patient to put on safety goggles
C) Inform the patient that the initial sensation of cold will be followed by a burning sensation
D) Position the patient for the administration of a general anesthetic
E) Assist with the administration of a local anesthetic

Question 11

Which of the following occurs during the inflammatory phase of healing?

A) New tissue forms
B) Blood vessels in the affected area constrict
C) Scar tissue forms
D) Skin cells at the edge of the wound move together to close off the wound
E) A scab forms over the wound

Question 12

Which of the following are characteristics of absorbable sutures?

A) They are made of gut and do not require removal after the wound has healed.
B) They are used for the outside layer.
C) They must be removed after wound healing is well under way.
D) They are made of silk, nylon, or Dacron.
E) They are inserted into the skin with a disposable staple unit.

Question 13

Which of the following would you include when preparing a room for laser surgery?

A) Open the blinds and shades to let the light in
B) Uncover any shiny or reflective surfaces
C) Make sure everyone in the room, including the patient, wears safety goggles
D) Place cotton-tipped applicators and liquid nitrogen within the physician's reach
E) Place paper items such as wrappers from instruments near the laser

Question 14

On which type of wound would staples be used?

A) A small, superficial cut on the finger
B) The area where a mole was removed on the upper arm
C) A long, deep wound across the leg
D) An area inside the mouth where the dentist accidentally scraped the tissue
E) A puncture wound in the upper arm

Question 15

Edges of an incision that are approximated ____.

A) are overgrown with unhealthy tissue and require surgical removal of the dead tissue
B) protect the area from contamination and minimize scab and scar formation
C) disrupt the tissue's blood supply by rupturing blood vessels throughout the area
D) delay the healing process because of the infection present
E) must be debrided to remove the jagged edges

Question 16

Which of the following are characteristics of nonabsorbable sutures?

A) They are made of a sterile strand of collagen fibers.
B) They are used for the deep inner layers of the wound.
C) They must be removed after substantial healing has taken place.
D) They do not have to be removed after the wound has healed.
E) They are used when there is considerable stress on the incision.

Question 17

A jagged, open wound in the skin that extends down into the underlying tissue is a(n) ____.

A) puncture
B) incision
C) laceration
D) abscess
E) lesion

Question 18

A wound will heal better if the edges are brought close together or ____.

A) minimized
B) infected
C) approximated
D) abscessed
E) debrided

Question 19

Which method uses extreme cold to destroy unwanted tissue?

A) Laser surgery
B) Cryosurgery
C) Conventional surgery
D) Electrocauterization
E) Needle biopsy

Question 20

Which of the following occurs in the maturation phase of healing?

A) The blood clots and seals off the wound.
B) Skin cells at the edges of the wound begin to move together to close off the wound.
C) A continuous layer of skin cells thickens and pushes off the scab, leaving a scar.
D) White blood cells are released.
E) The wound contracts under the scab.

Question 21

Allergic reactions to latex gloves are ____.

A) minor and never cause serious reactions
B) generally caused by the latex protein that mixes with the powder
C) very rare among healthcare professionals
D) only temporary, until the patient develops a tolerance to the latex
E) avoidable by undergoing desensitization

Question 22

Which of the following is a problem related to latex gloves?

A) Latex gloves leak more than vinyl gloves.
B) Latex gloves do not prevent contamination as well as vinyl gloves.
C) There is an increased incidence of latex allergy with latex gloves among healthcare workers.
D) Latex gloves cannot be sterilized.
E) Latex gloves do not fit as snugly as vinyl or nitrile gloves.

Question 23

Which type of scissors is used to remove dressings?

A) Tissue scissors
B) Suture scissors
C) Bandage scissors
D) Clippers
E) Scalpel

Question 24

The primary method for sterilizing instruments is ____.

A) chemical processes
B) autoclaving
C) gas processes
D) dry heat processes
E) washing with bleach

Question 25

An onychectomy tray is a ____.

A) nail removal tray
B) laceration tray
C) foreign body or growth removal tray
D) male sterilization tray
E) incision and drainage tray

Question 26

Which surgical instruments are used to close off blood vessels?

A) Retractors
B) Hemostats
C) Scissors
D) Curettes
E) Forceps

Question 27

Which of the following is necessary when sterilizing items using an autoclave?

A) Placing the instruments in the closed position
B) Preheating the instruments before placing them in the unit
C) Using distilled water in the unit
D) Taking each instrument out of the unit by hand
E) Drying the instruments with a towel after sterilization

Question 28

Which step helps prevent a latex glove allergy?

A) Select gloves with more powder on the inside
B) Put on gloves with slightly wet hands
C) Avoid the use of hand lotion
D) Clean areas contaminated with latex-containing dust frequently
E) Wear gloves as often as possible to desensitize your skin

Question 29

Which of the following is used for scraping tissue?

A) Scalpel
B) Curette
C) Scissors
D) hemostat
E) Dilator

Question 30

Instruments that are most often used to grasp or hold objects are ____.

A) scalpels
B) curettes
C) forceps
D) scissors
E) probes

Question 31

Which condition puts a patient at risk for wound-healing problems?

A) A diet rich in vitamin C
B) Low levels of stress
C) Being young
D) Being underweight
E) Diabetes mellitus

Question 32

Surgical instruments used to hold back the sides of a wound or incision for greater access are ____.

A) retractors
B) forceps
C) curettes
D) scalpels
E) probes

Question 33

Which of the following would you include in the care of a patient who has had electrocauterization?

A) Cleanse the wound with an antiseptic and apply a sterile dressing
B) Tell the patient to call the doctor if the blister becomes too painful
C) Encourage the patient to apply ice to the surgical site
D) Explain to the patient that a scab or crust generally forms over the area
E) Tell the patient to protect the site from sun exposure

Question 34

The scissor-like instruments used for cutting nails or thick materials are ____.

A) clippers
B) curettes
C) scalpels
D) forceps
E) retractors

Question 35

Which instruments and equipment must be sterilized?

A) Vaginal specula and curettes
B) Stethoscopes and tuning forks
C) Endotracheal tubes
D) Nasal specula
E) Blood pressure cuffs

Question 36

Which of the following would you include in teaching a patient who has had cryosurgery?

A) Tell the patient to protect the site from exposure to the sun
B) Encourage the patient to apply a heating pad to the surgical site
C) Inform the patient that a large, painful, bloody blister may form
D) Tell the patient that a dressing is never necessary
E) Tell the patient to call the doctor if swelling or redness occurs.

Question 37

A slender, pointed surgical instrument used to enlarge a body opening, such as a tear duct, is a ____.

A) hemostat
B) forceps
C) retractor
D) probe
E) dilator

Question 38

The cleaning process that is required for all instruments that penetrate the skin or that come in contact with normally sterile areas of the tissues and internal organs is ____.

A) sterilization
B) sanitization
C) purification
D) disinfection
E) ultrasonic cleaning

Question 39

Which surgical instruments are used to explore wounds or body cavities and to locate or clear blockages?

A) Dilators
B) Curettes
C) Probes
D) Hemostats
E) Forceps

Question 40

A Mayo stand is a(n) ____.

A) movable, stainless steel instrument tray on a stand
B) suture removal tray
C) incision and drainage tray
D) nail removal tray
E) male sterilization tray

Question 41

The maximum shelf life for a sterile pack is ____.

A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 1 year
E) 2 years

Question 42

Which of the following should you do when assisting a physician during a surgical procedure?

A) Cover the open items that are not being used with a paper towel
B) Hand the physician items outside the sterile field with the tips of the transfer forceps
C) Hand the items to the physician before putting gloves on
D) Avoid reaching over the sterile field
E) Place unsterile items on the outer 1 inch of the sterile field

Question 43

When assisting a physician in closing a wound, you accidentally touch the inside of the sterile dressing package with no gloves on. The appropriate step now is to ____.

A) avoid further touching of the inside of the package
B) obtain another unopened sterile dressing
C) hand the dressing to the physician
D) continue to assist the physician without saying anything
E) pour alcohol over the dressing to resterilize it

Question 44

Which numbered item in the diagram is the third step in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 5
B) 1
C) 7
D) 4
E) 2

Question 45

Which numbered item in the diagram is the first step in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 5
B) 1
C) 7
D) 4
E) 2

Question 46

Which numbered items in the diagram are the sixth and seventh steps in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 5, 6
B) 1, 4
C) 2, 3
D) 4, 5
E) 2, 7

Question 47

In this diagram, which of the following indicates the correct sequence for wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 6, 2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 7
B) 5, 7, 4, 1, 6, 3, 2
C) 7, 4, 6, 1, 5, 2, 3
D) 4, 3, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5
E) 1, 5, 7, 3, 4, 6, 2

Question 48

What is the appropriate way to pour a sterile solution into a sterile bowl in the sterile field?

A) Cover the label on the bottle with the palm of your hand to keep the label dry
B) Pour the liquid directly into the bowl and avoid discarding any
C) Pour the liquid quickly into the bowl
D) Place the cap of the bottle facing down
E) Hold the bottle at an angle that allows you to reach over the sterile area

Question 49

What is the correct way to clean and preheat the autoclave?

A) Fill the water reservoir with tap water
B) Check the discharge lines and valves for obstruction
C) Overheat the chamber to warm it
D) Clean the autoclave after several uses
E) Load cold instruments into an overheated chamber

Question 50

Which of the following would cause incomplete sterilization of an autoclaved load?

A) Temperature of 250 $\degree$ to 270 $\degree$ F
B) 15 to 30 pounds of pressure in the chamber
C) Steam temperature of 212 $\degree$ F
D) Allowing the autoclave to cool before emptying
E) Too short a time period

Question 51

What part of the sterile field is considered contaminated?

A) The outer 2 inches
B) All of the sterile field is sterile
C) The outer ¹/₂ inch
D) The outer 1 inch
E) The edge of the field closest to the patient

Question 52

The appropriate way to wrap instruments for sterilization in the autoclave includes ____.

A) placing the instruments together with surfaces touching
B) using double-thickness muslin to wrap instruments
C) placing all hinged instruments in the closed position
D) wrapping each instrument in the fabric as loosely as possible with the ends open
E) using electrical tape to close the wrapping

Question 53

Which numbered item in the diagram is the fourth step in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 5
B) 1
C) 7
D) 4
E) 2

Question 54

Which of the following is important when running a load through the autoclave?

A) If the load contains both wrapped packs and individual instruments, place the instruments above the wrapped packs.
B) After the steam cycle and before the drying cycle, open the door to the autoclave 1 inch.
C) Do not unload any packs or instruments with wet wrappings.
D) Place each item immediately in a cold location when unloading.
E) Do not touch the outside of the wrapped packs.

Question 55

Which numbered item in the diagram is the second step in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 5
B) 1
C) 7
D) 4
E) 2

Question 56

Which of the following would render an autoclaved load unsterile?

A) Steam temperature of 212 $\degree$ F or 100 $\degree$ C
B) Wrapping the instruments in muslin
C) Air trapped inside the chamber because of blocked discharge lines
D) Placing hinged instruments in the open position
E) Refilling the water reservoir before operating

Question 57

In which of the following methods of sterilization does moisture cause coagulation of proteins within microorganisms at a much lower temperature than is possible with dry heat?

A) Microwave processing
B) Gas processing
C) Autoclaving
D) Chemical processing
E) Ultrasonic processing

Question 58

Which is a correct preoperative instruction for a patient who is scheduled for a minor surgical procedure in the doctor's office?

A) Tell the patient to eat a light breakfast right before surgery
B) Tell the patient to bring someone to drive him or her home
C) Tell the patient to take all regular medications before surgery
D) Avoid telling the patient of the possible risks
E) Tell the patient it does not matter what she wears because she will change into a gown anyway

Question 59

The appropriate way to add instruments to a sterile field is to ____.

A) hand-place the sterile instruments on the sterile field
B) stand close to the sterile field and open the instruments pack
C) reach across the sterile field with the instruments to be added
D) place the instruments using sterile transfer forceps
E) place the instruments within the outer 1 inch of the sterile field

Question 60

Which numbered item in the diagram is the fifth step in wrapping instruments for sterilization?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 7
D) 5
E) 6

Question 61

Which of the following are characteristics of epinephrine?

A) It constricts blood vessels and prolongs the action of the local anesthetic.
B) It is useful in patients with heart or respiratory disease.
C) It is used in areas of the fingers, toes, nose, and ears.
D) It decreases wound infection rates.
E) It increases the rate at which the anesthetic spreads into the tissue.

Question 62

Which of the following is used in processing biopsy specimens for laboratory examination?

A) 10% formalin solution
B) 70% isopropyl alcohol
C) 3% hydrogen peroxide
D) 10% chlorine bleach solution
E) Normal saline solution

Question 63

What are these surgical instruments?

A) Retractors
B) Probes
C) Dilators
D) Scalpels
E) Forceps

Question 64

Duties of the sterile scrub assistant include

A) passing instruments to the doctor during surgery.
B) measuring vital signs regularly throughout surgery.
C) observing the patient for a reaction to the anesthetic.
D) keeping a record of when surgery began and when it was completed.
E) adjusting lighting as needed.

Question 65

These surgical instruments are ____.

A) retractors
B) probes
C) dilators
D) forceps
E) hemostats

Question 66

Carrie is a new medical assistant who is assisting for the first time as a floater for a minor surgical procedure. The physician removes tissue from the incision and asks Carrie for the container in which to place the specimen for laboratory examination. Carrie grasps the specimen container and reaches across the tray so the physician can place the specimen in the container. What did Carrie do wrong?

A) She should not have touched the sterile specimen container.
B) She should not have reached across the tray.
C) She should have asked the sterile scrub assistant to offer the container.
D) She should have used transfer forceps to grasp the tissue.
E) She should have placed the specimen container on the tray.

Question 67

Part of Josie's responsibility as a medical assistant is to run the autoclave as needed to sterilize instruments. Once a week, she includes a biological sterilization indicator with a load as a general quality control measure. Today, she notices that the biological indicator from yesterday's load is positive. What does this result mean?

A) The proper temperature was not reached
B) The pressure in the autoclave was not high enough
C) There was not enough steam in the autoclave
D) The water reservoir on the autoclave is running low
E) The items in that load are not sterile

Question 68

The most commonly used antiseptic for minor surgery is ____.

A) Betadine
B) Xylocaine
C) epinephrine
D) hydrogen peroxide
E) isopropyl alcohol

Question 69

What are the instruments pictured here?

A) Scalpels
B) Curettes
C) Dilators
D) Retractors
E) Probes

Question 70

What is the surgical instrument pictured here?

A) Hemostat
B) Forceps
C) Curette
D) Dilator
E) Retractor

Question 71

The instruments in the figure are ____.

A) forceps
B) hemostats
C) dilators
D) scissors
E) retractors

Question 72

The instruments pictured here are ____.

A) dilators
B) scalpels
C) curettes
D) forceps
E) retractors

Question 73

Which is the appropriate way to cleanse an area before surgery?

A) Place a sterile towel around the surgical site
B) Cleanse the surgical site with alcohol
C) Begin at the outer edges of the surgical site and work inward
D) Clean an area at least 2 inches larger than the surgical site
E) Clean in a zigzag path across the preparation area

Question 74

Which of the following would you include in a patient's postoperative wound care instructions?

A) Clean the wound every other day
B) Clean the wound with isopropyl alcohol
C) Change the dressing if it becomes wet, dirty, or soaked with blood
D) Cover the wound with a wet dressing
E) Remove the dressing after 12 hours

Question 75

Why do you need to check the date and sterilization indicator on an instrument pack prior to opening?

A) To be sure items inside will work
B) To avoid putting the patient at risk for postoperative infection
C) To be sure the package was stored properly
D) To make sure all the proper instruments are in the pack
E) To be sure the items inside have not been exposed to moisture

Question 76

Mr. Benson is back in the office for his follow-up appointment after having a laceration on his right arm sutured eight days ago. The physician examines the wound, tells Mr. Benson that it is healing nicely, and asks you to remove the sutures. You remove 14 sutures from Mr. Benson's arm and compare this to the number of sutures recorded in Mr. Benson's chart. The chart says Mr. Benson has 15 sutures. What should you do next?

A) Nothing; the other suture probably came out by itself sometime in the last eight days
B) Correct the medical record to show that only 14 sutures were placed in Mr. Benson's arm
C) Notify the physician that the number of sutures removed does not match the record
D) Document your removal of 14 sutures on today's date
E) Document your removal of 15 sutures on today's date

Question 77

Which of the following is characteristic of a topical anesthetic?

A) It is injected under the skin.
B) It is used when the pain is severe.
C) It is applied directly to the skin.
D) It takes only 30 seconds for the area to become sufficiently anesthetized.
E) It provides general anesthesia.

Question 78

What are the instruments pictured here?

A) Dilators
B) Forceps
C) Hemostats
D) Retractors
E) Probes

Question 79

Which of the following is a duty of the floater in surgery?

A) Close the instruments on the sterile tray because they are left open during sterilization
B) Measure the patient's vital signs during surgery and observe for a reaction to the anesthetic
C) Pass instruments to the doctor during surgery
D) Retract the edges of the wound during surgery to assist the doctors in viewing the area
E) Swab fluids from the incision or wound

Question 80

When preparing a patient for surgery, what should you do after you have applied the antiseptic?

A) Swab only the surgical site with the antiseptic
B) Pat the antiseptic dry
C) Cover the area with a sterile, fenestrated drape, from front to back
D) Reach over the area to position the patient correctly for the procedure
E) Trim the hair from around the surgical site