Surgical Assistant Certification Exam ABSA
AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED ANSWERS GRADED A+|
Brand New!!!
The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the operative
wrist of a 14-year old patient in supine position. The operative extremity is
positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the following most accurately
describes the movement of the operative thumb (which direction it points) as
you carry out the instructions? - ANSWER✔✔Thumb inferior, then back to
superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: - ANSWER✔✔ Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: - ANSWER✔✔ Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANSWER✔✔
Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANSWER✔✔ Into the space between the
spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
,The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee
facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is the
structure? - ANSWER✔✔Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER✔✔Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? - ANSWER✔✔ Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: - ANSWER✔✔ Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
ANSWER✔✔Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANSWER✔✔More than
about 10%
Which one of the following approaches for hip replacement spares the hip
abductors and may lead to fewer post-op dislocations, but requires a specialized
OR table (Hana) to perform? - ANSWER✔✔Anterior
, Which of the following muscle structures is primarily classified as a hip
abductor, and may be considered problematic when transected and
reapproximated, or otherwise violated during hip replacement surgery? -
ANSWER✔✔Gluteus medias
A Frazier tip suction held to the back of a Cottonoid Pattie are likely used to clear
the operative field in which of the following: - ANSWER✔✔Microsurgery
Which of the following cauterization devices would be appropriate in tight
spaces, with high risk for collateral nerve tissue nearby? - ANSWER✔✔Bipolar
cautery forceps
When passing sutures for deep ligation with a tonsil hemostat, how far from the
tip is most "optimal" for the suture to be clamped? - ANSWER✔✔The suture
should exit the jaw of the clamp at the very tip
When tying #2-0 Vicryl sutures, how many alternate throws produce a secure
knot? - ANSWER✔✔ The number your surgeon wants plus one
Which of the following features represent a disadvantage of monofilament
suture material? - ANSWER✔✔ Poor relative knot security compared with
braided material
"Eversion" of skin edges for staple closure means: - ANSWER✔✔Turn the skin
edges up, that is, line up the dermal margins
AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED ANSWERS GRADED A+|
Brand New!!!
The surgeon asks you to first gently supinate, then gently pronate the operative
wrist of a 14-year old patient in supine position. The operative extremity is
positioned at 80 degrees to the torso. Which of the following most accurately
describes the movement of the operative thumb (which direction it points) as
you carry out the instructions? - ANSWER✔✔Thumb inferior, then back to
superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: - ANSWER✔✔ Superficial to its corresponding ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: - ANSWER✔✔ Duodenum and common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: - ANSWER✔✔
Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the patellar ligament.
Epidural anesthesia is administered: - ANSWER✔✔ Into the space between the
spinal canal and the dura mater covering the nerve roots.
,The connective tissue between the patella and the tibial tuberosity in the knee
facilitates quadriceps muscle contraction across the knee joint. What is the
structure? - ANSWER✔✔Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: -
ANSWER✔✔Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? - ANSWER✔✔ Pubis, ischium, and ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: - ANSWER✔✔ Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: -
ANSWER✔✔Internal iliac artery
After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? - ANSWER✔✔More than
about 10%
Which one of the following approaches for hip replacement spares the hip
abductors and may lead to fewer post-op dislocations, but requires a specialized
OR table (Hana) to perform? - ANSWER✔✔Anterior
, Which of the following muscle structures is primarily classified as a hip
abductor, and may be considered problematic when transected and
reapproximated, or otherwise violated during hip replacement surgery? -
ANSWER✔✔Gluteus medias
A Frazier tip suction held to the back of a Cottonoid Pattie are likely used to clear
the operative field in which of the following: - ANSWER✔✔Microsurgery
Which of the following cauterization devices would be appropriate in tight
spaces, with high risk for collateral nerve tissue nearby? - ANSWER✔✔Bipolar
cautery forceps
When passing sutures for deep ligation with a tonsil hemostat, how far from the
tip is most "optimal" for the suture to be clamped? - ANSWER✔✔The suture
should exit the jaw of the clamp at the very tip
When tying #2-0 Vicryl sutures, how many alternate throws produce a secure
knot? - ANSWER✔✔ The number your surgeon wants plus one
Which of the following features represent a disadvantage of monofilament
suture material? - ANSWER✔✔ Poor relative knot security compared with
braided material
"Eversion" of skin edges for staple closure means: - ANSWER✔✔Turn the skin
edges up, that is, line up the dermal margins
