Deck 20: Specialized Surgical Equipment

Question 1

Which part of the body must be protected when using lasers?

A)The patient's eyes
B)The laser has minimal effect on tissue.
C)The caregiver's eyes
D)The caregiver's eyes and the patient's eyes, skin, and respiratory tract

Answer 1

D
Appropriate precautions must be taken when using all lasers.The caregiver must protect their eyes with special goggles.The patient's skin,eyes,respiratory tract,and tissue must be protected from thermal burns.

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

False
A safe general rule for the circulating nurse is to start with the lowest setting of current that accomplishes the desired degree of coagulating or cutting and then increase the current at the surgeon's request.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

False
The initial incision is made by a scalpel to prevent charring and scarring of the skin.Electric current is used to cut or coagulate most tissue.Electrosurgery can be used on fat,fascia,muscle,internal organs,and vessels.

Question 4

Which microscope lens provides the greatest magnification?

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

Question 5

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 6

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

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

Question 7

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 8

Which type of laser is most effective at coagulation?

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

Question 9

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 10

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

Question 11

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

Question 12

Harmonic scalpel is a common bipolar electrical energy handpiece used in the OR.What does the working end accommodate?

A)Scissors only
B)Light beam
C)Blade tip or scissors
D)Laser

Question 13

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)The argon beam spares surrounding tissue

Question 14

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 15

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 uses
C)A suction evacuator device
D)Monopolar ESU

Question 16

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 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

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 20

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

Question 21

There is a difference between electrosurgery and electrocautery.

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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