AST Practice Exam #4
What is used to retract the spermatic cord during an inguinal herniorraphy?
Penrose drain
Why is an indwelling Foley catheter placed prior to a hysterectomy?
To avoid injury to the bladder
Which scissors is the best choice for extending an arterial incision?
Potts-Smith
What is used to stain the cervix for a Schiller's test?
Lugol's solution
What arises from the left ventricle of the heart?
Ascending aorta
What method is used to confirm that items have been exposed to the sterilization process, but sterility is not guaranteed?
Chemical
Why would the hair of a patient undergoing craniotomy be bagged, labeled and saved?
It is patient property
When preparing a double basin for sterilization, the: basins should be separated by
a porous, absorbent towel
Which structure, during a total hip arthroplasty, requires intramedullary reaming prior to placement of a prosthesis?
Femoral canal
What is the least restrictive form of credentialing?
Registration
What drug classification is Demerol?
Analgesic
What should be transported to the PACU with a patient who underwent a thyroidectomy?
Tracheotomy tray
What is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride?
NaCl
What organelle is responsible for packaging of proteins?
Golgi complex
Which procedure would utilize the instrument shown above?
Hemorrhoidectomy
What types of treatment does a patient authorize when signing a general consent form?
All routine treatments or procedures
Which medication can be used as a topical jelly during cystoscopy procedures?
Xylocaine
What is a primary postoperative complication of carotid endarterectomy?
Stroke
What procedure would you use Ferris Smith forceps for
TAH (Hysterectomy)
When is it acceptable to open surgical dressing sponges?
After the final count
What is the correct procedure to follow when a sterilized rigid instrument container is opened and condensation is observed?
Don't use, return to Sterile Processing Department
Which method of sterilization requires an aeration cycle?
EtO
Elevated IOP in a glaucoma patient is a result of excess what?
Aqueous humor
Where should the grounding pad be placed on a patient undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy who has a right hip prosthesis?
Left anterior thigh
The instrument above is used during what procedure?
Vaginal hysterectomy
The Trendelenburg position is often used for surgery for?
Vaginal hysterectomy
The large artery that arises from the left side of the aortic arch and descends into the arm is the what?
Subclavian
Lesions in which part of the brain may affect balance and coordination?
Cerebellum
What utilizes the process of cavitation?
Ultrasonic cleaner
What is the name for a dorsally angulated fracture of the distal radius?
Colles'
What is this instrument
Ferguson Gallstone scoop
During which procedure would a Ferguson Gallstone scoop be used for
Cholecystectomy
Which ligament is transected during surgery for De Quervain's disease?
Dorsal carpal
In order to minimize mucosal irritation during urinary catheterization, the tip of the catheter is dipped in what?
K-Y jelly
How often is a medication prescribed as QID to be taken per day?
4 times
What type of external dressing would be used to eliminate dead space?
Pressure
In the prone position, patients are placed on chest rolls to prevent what?
Compromised ventilation
What positions would be used for an LAVH?
Lithotomy
A left subcostal incision would be used to expose which what?
Spleen
Intraoperatively, lidocaine with epinephrine may be contraindicated in patients who are:
Hypertensive
What approach is used for the removal of a small acoustic neuroma that is located in the internal auditory canal?
Middle fossa
What must be obtained from a patient undergoing surgical procedures, fertility treatments, chemotherapy or experimental treatment?
Special written consent
What drug is used to treat hypotension and shock?
Levophed
The agent used to expand blood plasma volume is what?
Dextran
What does the term chole/ refer to?
Bile
When preparing instruments for sterilization, what is not correct?
Lining the tray with a nonwoven disposable wrapper
What is an initial incision for abdominoplasty?
Low transverse
When performing a rhinoplasty, the exostosis in the nose is removed with what instrument?
Chisel
Which type of sterilization requires the use of the Bowie-Dick test?
Prevaccum steam
What is the first federal act to establish patient privacy standards?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What should the surgical technologist wear when transporting a patient with tuberculosis from PACU to the isolation patient room?
Respirator
How is the informed consent signed if a patient is illiterate?
Patient marks an 'x'
What agents should not be used to disinfect endoscopes?
Isopropyl alcohol
What is used to expose the meatus during urethral catheterization?
Non-dominant hand
What is the second phase of wound healing?
Proliferation
What muscle is commonly used for TRAM reconstruction in a mammoplasty?
Rectus abdominis
The patient is never positioned until who gives permission?
Anesthesia provider gives permission
What term refers to cell "drinking"?
Pinocytosis
What does hypertension mean?
High blood pressure
Which type of fire extinguisher should be available when using a laser?
Halon
What is the major side effect of thrombolytics?
Hemorrhage
If a sterile glove becomes contaminated during a procedure, what action should the surgical technologist take?
Circulator pulls off glove; surgical technologist is regloved by another sterile team member
What type of suture technique is used to invert the stump of the appendix during an appendectomy?
Purse-string
What is the proper procedure for removing a laparotomy drape?
ST holds dressing in place; rolls drape head to feet
Gerota's fascia is located where?
Around the kidney
What activity can aggravate the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
Chewing
What is the purpose of maintaining 20% to 60% relative humidity in the OR?
Decrease static electricity
What surgical instrument is used to thread the drilled hole for the screw during an ORIF?
Tap
What pathology would be treated by transphenoidal hypophysectomy procedure
Pituitary neoplasm
The muscle that causes strabismus is the what?
medial rectus
What is the minimum required number of people to transfer a patient from the OR table to the stretcher?
4
When used as a skin prep, what should be allowed to thoroughly dry if electrocautery will be used?
Alcohol and tinctures
Healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) are most commonly associated with
Use of urinary catheters
What is the technical term for robotic arms?
Manipulator
Which procedures would the surgeon check for anastomatic leaks by injecting air into the rectum, looking for bubbles in the fluid-filled peritoneal cavity?
Low anterior resection
What are varicosities of the rectum and anus?
Hemorrhoids
Vitamins A, D, E and K are absorbed in the what?
Intestine
The preoperative exsanguination of an extremity prior to inflating a tourniquet is accomplished with what?
Esmarch
Which vessel is harvested for use during a CABG?
Internal mammary artery
What retractor would be used to retract the muscles during a hip pinning?
Bennett
The surgical reanastomosis of the vas deferens is called a what?
Vasovasostomy
Which type of laser is used to remove polymethyl methacrylate from a cemented joint implant during a revision arthroplasty?
Carbon dioxide
Sound waves travel through the external auditory canal and strike the what?
Tympanic membrane
In large abdominal wounds that require frequent dressing changes, which will minimize the skin break-down?
Montgomery straps
Which positioning devices would be used for an LAVH?
Allen stirrups
The term mentoplasty refers to surgery of the what?
Chin
What situation could cause a patient's signature on a surgical informed consent to be challenged in court?
Patient received preoperative medications
What is the importance of humidity when using EtO sterilization?
Hydrate spores and bacteria
What is the purpose of polymethyl methacrylate during a cranioplasty?
Filling cranial defects
The appropriate location when placing the grounding pad is over a what?
Fleshy area
Which catheter is used for an angioplasty?
Fogarty
A hernia that presents through Hesselbach's triangle is a/an what?
Direct
The medial malleleolus is part of which bone?
Tibia
What is performed prior to implantation of a Dacron knit polyester graft?
Preclotting
Which structure articulates with the head of the femur?
Acetabulum
An abnormal bending backward of the uterus is called what?
Retroflexion
What type of clip is a Raney?
Scalp
The ciliary body is part of which layer of the eye?
Vascular
Which of these drugs is a miotic?
Pilocarpine
What is a violation of Standard Precautions during postoperative case management?
Retrieve reusable trocar from sharps container
Which type of monitoring equipment is a noninvasive assessment of oxygen saturation of arterial blood?
Pulse oximetry
How are femoral shaft fractures in an adult repaired?
Intramedullary nailing
What instrument would be used to dilate the male urethra?
Van Buren
To determine the process for preparing surgical instruments for use on tissue and within a body cavity, they are classified as what?
Critical
The Harrington retractor allows for gentle elevation of which anatomical structure?
Liver
What is the term for the division of a reproductive cell into two cells with chromosome cells?
Meiosis
What does the term dys- mean?
Difficult
After the patient is extubated, which device is often used to maintain the airway around the relaxed tongue?
Oropharyngeal airway
What accelerates the coagulation cascade?
Topical thrombin
Which breast procedure describes a mastectomy?
Surgical removal
What is done to the common bile duct during a choledochojejunostomy?
Anastomosed
What procedures would a tourniquet be unnecessary?
Hip arthroplasty
What anatomical sites would be prepped last when performing a skin prep for a colostomy reversal procedure?
Stoma
What surgical procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the median nerve?
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release
What is the proper procedure for turning the sterile gown?
Hand tag to circulator; circulator moves around gown
What does the term 'os' mean?
Opening
What is not a function of the trachea
Amplify speech
Which condition is characterized by the sudden onset of floating spots before the eyes?
Retina detachment
One of the most effective germicidals for cold sterilization is what?
2% glutaraldehyde
From which laminectomy instrument would intervertebral disc fragments be cleaned?
Pituitary
What type of suture is used for vascular reanastomosis?
Nonabsorbable monofilament
What is the name of the suction tip shown above?
Frazier
What molecule is broken down when body cells require energy?
ATP
What represents a saddle joint?
Thumb and trapezium
During an EtO sterilization cycle, humidity is maintained at what?
20-80%
An emergency drug given to stabilize ventricular fibrillation is what?
Isoproterenol
Creating a positive-pressure air supply for ear OR will do what?
Minimize airborne bacteria entering the room
Which is an acceptable antiseptic solution for a skin prep?
Povidine-Iodine
During a total hip arthroplasty, which instrument is used after intramedullary reaming to reshape the proximal femoral canal?
Rasp
What assesses the electrical activity of the nervous system?
Electroencephalogram
The functional unit of the kidney responsible for removing waste and regulating fluid is the what?
Nephron
What is an intermediate-level disinfectant?
Isopropryl alcohol
Which vein of an infant patient is a central venous catheter inserted?
External jugular
After the patient leaves the OR, the reusable items should be taken to the decontamination room how?
Inside a closed case cart
A clamp used for occluding a peripheral vessel called a
DeBakey
During a total hip arthroplasty, which type of device prevents polymethyl methacrylate from filling the medullary canal distal to the prosthesis?
Restrictor
What is the proper technique when applying a grounding pad?
Avoid placing pad on buttocks
Which sutures are packaged in alcohol to maintain pliability
Natural absorbable
What procedure should be followed for securing consent for surgery for an unconscious patient requiring emergency surgery whose family members or guardian cannot be contacted?
Two consulting physicians agree
What gynecologic procedure includes removal of the reproductive organs, bladder and rectum?
Pelvic exenteration
Isopropyl alcohol is bactericidal, which means it:
Kills bacteria
Use of a one-step applicator with little or no pressure on skin would be indicated in which conditions?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
A postoperative anesthesia complication when extubating a patient is what?
Laryngospasm
The process by which glucose is stored as glycogen is what?
Glycogenesis
The large, leaf-shaped laryngeal cartilage that acts as a "trap door" over the larynx is the what?
Epiglottis
Use of Van Buren sounds might be necessary for urethral catheterization in patients with
Urethral stricture
The four fluid-filled spaces of the brain are called what?
Ventricles
For which surgical procedure would bupivacaine with epinephrine be contraindicated?
Trigger finger release
What term describes an individual who harbors a pathogen but displays no signs or symptoms?
Carrier
Which procedures is performed before completing an ileal conduit?
Cystectomy
Which is the recommended postoperative handling of reusable instruments used on a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Place in biohazard bag and destroy
What type of procedure is performed to treat tumors of the pituitary gland?
Transphenoidal hypophysectomy
What would be an inappropriate manner for the handling of surgical specimens?
Frozen sections are sent to pathology on a Raytec sponge
What instruments would be used during a suprapubic prostatectomy
Bladder retractor
A tumescent solution is used in what procedures
Suction lipectomy
What is a type of non-retaining catheter?
Whistle
The walls of the vagina are lined with what?
Mucosa
Which drug counteracts metabolic acidosis?
Sodium bicarbonate
What wound classification would be assigned to a compound fracture?
Contaminated
What type of dye is used intravenously to verify patency of the fallopian tubes during a pelvic procedure?
Methylene blue
Pneumoperitoneum is utilized during a laparoscopy to do what?
Create a safe working space
What is the required pressure for a steam sterilizer set at a temperature of 250degrees Fahrenheit?
15-17
What is the most commonly used thermal method of hemostasis in cranial neurosurgery?
Bipolar electrosurgery
A wrapped instrument set that will be run in the steam prevacuum sterilizer at 270 degrees must be sterilized for a minimum of how long?
4 minutes
A patient that has sudden onset of shortness of breath in the PACU may indicate what?
Pulmonary embolism
What sutures is a nonabsorbable monofilament frequently used in vascular procedures?
Polypropylene
What defines anaerobic?
Without oxygen
What nerve in the lower leg must be protected from pressure when placing the patient in the lithotomy position?
Peroneal
Exophthalmos due to Grave's disease is associated with which gland?
Thyroid
Where should the Foley indwelling catheter drainage bag be positioned after insertion of the catheter?
Lower than the level of the bladder
The sutures of the adult skull are examples of what?
Synarthrosis
A ventilation system that provides a unidirectional positive-pressure air flow at a high air exchange rate in the OR is what?
Laminar air flow
Catabolism of fats produces what?
Ketone bodies
What is the principle reason for performing a preoperative skin prep?
To remove transient flora and reduce resident flora
What is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling the body temperature?
Hypothalamus