Question 1

Which of the following is NOT part of the medical asepsis handwashing procedure?

Accepted Answer

Holding hands up while rinsing is not part of the medical asepsis handwashing procedure; it's recommended to keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow from the cleanest area (forearms) to the least clean (fingertips).

Question 2

Which of the following instruments is commonly used to clamp blood vessels?

Accepted Answer

Hemostats, also known as arterial forceps, are commonly used to clamp blood vessels during surgical procedures. The jaws of the hemostat are designed to be locked in place to provide a firm grip on the blood vessel and prevent bleeding. Towel clamps and splinter forceps are not typically used for this purpose, and an obturator is used to assist in the insertion of catheters or other medical devices.

Question 3

Which of the following terms best describes a procedure that creates an opening in the skin, such as a surgical incision, or inserting a urinary catheter?

Accepted Answer

The term "invasive" describes a procedure that involves making an incision or opening in the skin or body to access a bodily structure or cavity. This can include surgical incisions or the insertion of medical devices like catheters. "Injecting" refers to the administration of a liquid or medication directly into the body through a needle or other device, "cautery" refers to the use of heat or chemicals to remove or destroy tissue, and "ligature" refers to tying off blood vessels to stop bleeding during surgery.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes practices known as sterile technique?

Accepted Answer

Sterile technique refers to the practices used to achieve and maintain a sterile, or germ-free, environment during surgical procedures. This is also known as surgical asepsis. Antibacterial asepsis refers to the use of agents such as disinfectants to reduce the number of bacteria present. Medical asepsis refers to practices used to prevent the spread of disease between patients and healthcare workers. Anesthesia and dressings are specific components of surgical procedures, but do not encompass all aspects of sterile technique.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an effective skin cleanser or antiseptic?

Accepted Answer

Benzoine tincture is not an effective skin cleanser or antiseptic; it is primarily used as a skin protectant and to improve the adhesion of bandages, rather than for its antiseptic properties.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT considered a way anesthesia can be used?

Accepted Answer

Anesthesia can be administered through different routes such as injection, inhalation, topical application, and sometimes even orally. However, chewing is not a valid way of administering anesthesia.

Question 7

Which of the following instruments is a long, slender instrument used to determine the size and shape of a hidden area or to detect the presence of a foreign body?

Accepted Answer

A sound is a long, slender instrument commonly used in urology to explore passages, such as the urethra, or to detect the presence of foreign bodies. Obturators and dilators are also long, slender instruments, but they serve different purposes. A retractor, on the other hand, is a surgical instrument used to hold open incisions or other tissue during surgery.

Question 8

Which of the following sterilization techniques cleans but does not sterilize?

Accepted Answer

Disinfectant cleans but does not sterilize. Sterilization techniques aim to completely eliminate all forms of microbial life, while disinfectants only reduce the number of microorganisms to a level that is not harmful for humans.

Question 9

Which of the following is the most appropriate action when setting up a surgical tray?

Accepted Answer

Setting up the surgical tray just prior to surgery ensures that the instruments and supplies remain sterile for the procedure. Leaving the tray uncovered in the exam room or in a common area increases the risk of contamination, and setting up the tray after the patient is prepped and draped wastes time and increases the risk of breaking sterile technique.

Question 10

Which of the following best sterilizes equipment that is delicate or sensitive to heat?

Accepted Answer

Cold sterilization, also known as cold disinfection, is a method of sterilization that does not use heat but utilizes chemicals that can effectively kill microorganisms. It is suitable for delicate or sensitive equipment that may be damaged by heat sterilization methods such as an autoclave. Bleach solution and chemical disinfectants may also be effective but may cause damage to delicate equipment.

Question 11

Which of the following terms best describes the result when a non-sterile item or surface comes in contact with a sterile area?

Accepted Answer

Contamination refers to the introduction of microorganisms or foreign substances into a sterile area, which can compromise the sterility and increase the risk of infection. In contrast, infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in host tissues, which may or may not be related to contamination. Stricture refers to a narrowing or constriction of a body passage, while cautery refers to the use of heat or chemical agents to destroy or coagulate tissues.

Question 12

Which of the following instruments is inserted into narrowed or constricted ducts and tubes for the purpose of gradually enlarging the opening?

Accepted Answer

A dilator is a tool used to gradually increase the size of a narrow or constricted opening, such as a duct or tube. Forceps are used for grasping and holding, a scalpel is used for making incisions, and a clamp is used for holding or immobilizing tissue. None of these instruments specifically serve the purpose of dilating a constricted opening.

Question 13

Which of the following is the primary purpose of surgical asepsis?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of surgical asepsis is to prevent microorganisms from entering the body during invasive procedures. The other choices are either not the primary purpose (A, C) or not accurate (D - the skin cannot be sterilized).

Question 14

Which of the following would be used when an infected wound needs to remain open for drainage?

Accepted Answer

A wick is typically used for wounds that need to remain open for drainage, as it allows the wound to continue draining while also preventing the edges from closing up. This can be helpful for preventing infection and promoting healing. Sponge and gauze can also be used for dressings, but they are typically used in situations where the wound needs to be covered and protected. Dressings are a general term that can refer to any type of material used to cover a wound.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the use of ultrasound sanitization?

Accepted Answer

The use of ultrasound sanitization is intended to clean instruments before they are sterilized, not to replace the need for manual scrubbing by a medical assistant.

Question 16

Which of the following instruments is NOT a grasping and clamping instrument?

Accepted Answer

A retractor is used to hold tissues or organs aside during surgical procedures, but it does not grasp or clamp onto anything. The other instruments listed (hemostat, forceps, and needle holder) all involve grasping and clamping.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes sutures made from materials that dissolve when they encounter the tissue enzymes in the body?

Accepted Answer

Sutures made from materials that dissolve when they encounter tissue enzymes in the body are called absorbable sutures. These sutures break down naturally over time and are eventually absorbed by the body, which eliminates the need for removal. Examples of absorbable sutures include gut sutures and synthetic materials like polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and caprolactone.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a basic rule for the care of instruments?

Accepted Answer

Using hard wire brushes can damage the instruments' surface and potentially cause them to become dull or warped. Instead, soft bristle brushes should be used to clean hinges, ratchets, and serrations.

Question 19

Which of the following is the preferred length for atraumatic sutures?

Accepted Answer

18 inches is the preferred length for atraumatic sutures as it provides a balance between manageability and minimizing waste.

Question 20

Which of the following wound terms best describes an example of a closed wound?

Accepted Answer

A contusion is a closed wound, also known as a bruise, where the skin is not broken but damaged due to blunt force trauma. Puncture (A), incision (B), and avulsion (C) are all open wounds where the skin is broken.

Quiz 30: Assisting With Minor Surgery