Deck 20: Specialized Surgical Equipment

Question 1

What is the safest location for the placement of a dispersive electrode pad for a patient who has a total knee replacement on the left knee?

A) Left calf
B) Left thigh
C) Right thigh
D) Right knee

Answer 1

C
The dispersive electrode should not be placed on skin over a metal implant and should be placed over or under as large a muscle mass area as possible.

Question 2

What kind of current used in electrosurgery increases to produce an intense heat that sears the ends of small or moderate vessels?

A) Moderate
B) Coagulating
C) Cutting
D) Blended

Answer 2

B
The damped current that rapidly diminishes to short periods coagulates tissue.The density of current produces an intense heat that sears the ends of small to moderate-sized vessels and controls bleeding on contact.

Question 3

Surgical procedures performed under the microscope tend to be shorter in duration than traditional open procedures.

Answer 3

False
Increased time may be needed for use of the operating microscope and dissection may be slower.Adequate preparation and efficient assistance can decrease time needed for the procedure.

Question 4

It is imperative that the surgical field be stable and immobile during a surgical procedure performed using the microscope.

Question 5

Which type of laser is useful in breaking up kidney stones?

A) Excimer
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Free electron
D) Ho:YAG

Question 6

Which type of laser is most effective at coagulation?

A) CO₂ laser
B) Ho:YAG
C) KTP
D) Nd:YAG

Question 7

Which is an incorrect statement regarding laser surgery?

A) The laser beam can be precisely focused for localized tissue destruction.
B) The laser has minimal effect on surrounding tissue.
C) There is increased risk of contamination and infection.
D) Every facility that uses lasers in the operative setting shall have a laser safety officer within the surgical laser program.

Question 8

What item should be on the sterile field while an ESU is being used during a procedure?

A) Dry sponges
B) A full basin of saline to immerse the ESU between use
C) A suction evacuator device
D) Monopolar ESU

Question 9

Electrosurgery should not be used in the mouth,around the head,or in the pleural cavity when high concentrations of ____ are present.

A) air
B) water
C) oxygen
D) blood

Question 10

Instruments used in or near the laser beam should be reflective to enhance the laser's effect on the tissue.

Question 11

Which microscope lens provides the greatest magnification?

A) 100 mm
B) 200 mm
C) 250 mm
D) 400 mm

Question 12

When using electrosurgery to cut or coagulate tissue,do not use a scalpel blade to remove charred tissue from the tip of the electrode.

Question 13

Which type of electrosurgery unit is preferred when a patient has an implanted cardiac pacemaker?

A) Bipolar unit
B) Monopolar unit
C) Active electrode unit
D) No unit is to be used with a pacemaker

Question 14

Which laser medium is used to create a lasing effect when the emission is stimulated?

A) Normal saline
B) Light beam
C) Solid rods
D) UV light

Question 15

Only the operator of the laser must wear safety eyewear during the surgical procedure.

Question 16

When preparing instruments for a case in which the operating microscope will be used,it must be remembered that microscopic instruments must be handled only by their tips to prevent damage to the handles prior to passing them to the surgeon.

Question 17

If a skin knife is not available to make the initial skin incision,electrosurgery may be used for the incision.

Question 18

Which is a responsibility of the biomedical laser technician?

A) Prepare and teach the patient intraoperatively.
B) Check the laser equipment brought into the OR.
C) Cover windows and provide appropriate eyewear.
D) Provide preventive maintenance of the laser periodically.

Question 19

A dispersive pad or return electrode is needed for both monopolar and bipolar units.

Question 20

Always use the highest setting of current when beginning a procedure that uses electrosurgery so that the surgeon has the maximum available power to cut or coagulate tissue.

Question 21

Why should laser plume be suctioned and evacuated during a surgical procedure?

A) Laser plume increases the temperature in the OR.
B) The smoke may cause blindness.
C) Laser plume reduces visibility at the surgical site.
D) The electromagnetic waves created by plume may cause brain death.

Question 22

Which is an advantage of using the argon beam coagulator?

A) Increased air embolism
B) Beam weight lighter than air
C) Patent return electrode not required
D) Less plume created

Question 23

When adjusting the microscope,at what degree should the circulator set the focus of the ocular lens?

A) 0 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 90 degrees

Question 24

Which is an advantage of using lasers in the perioperative setting?

A) Low start-up cost for a facility laser program
B) Extra training or credentialing of staff not required
C) Minimal postoperative pain and scarring
D) Hospital setting required for most cases