Surgical Assistant Certification Actual Exam
2026 | ABSA American Board of Surgical
Assistant Exam | All Questions and Correct
Answers | Verified Answers
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? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Thumb inferior,
then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Superficial to its corresponding
ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Duodenum and
common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the
patellar ligament.
,Epidural anesthesia is administered: ---------CORRECT 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? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Pubis, ischium, and
ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Internal iliac artery
, After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? ---------CORRECT ANSWER---
--------------More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Increasing blood flow to the brain
A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following
symptoms: low blood pressure; chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and
back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow breathing. Which of the
following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Lower than normal
hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy
may have which of the following transient affects: ---------CORRECT ANSWER--------
---------Bradycardia
A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot, and
may be caused by lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the lumbar
2026 | ABSA American Board of Surgical
Assistant Exam | All Questions and Correct
Answers | Verified Answers
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? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Thumb inferior,
then back to superior
With patient in the prone position, the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are
oriented: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Superficial to its corresponding
ventral roots
A choledoco-duodenostomy refers to the surgical anastomosis of which of the
following two structures: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Duodenum and
common bile duct
In knee arthroscopy, the antero-medial portal is placed: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Proximal and anterior to the pet anserinus, medial to the
patellar ligament.
,Epidural anesthesia is administered: ---------CORRECT 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? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Patellar Ligament
The talus forms an articulation with which of the following lists of bones: ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Calcaneus, navicular, tibia, and calcaneus
The acetabulum, or hip socket, is comprised of the fusion of which of the three
bone chokes below? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Pubis, ischium, and
ilium
The superior mesenteric artery provides primary blood supply for which of the
following structures: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Pancreas
The uterine artery is a most commonly a direct branch of the: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Internal iliac artery
, After what percent of total blood volume may arterial pressure AND cardiac
output begin to significantly (and precipitously) drop? ---------CORRECT ANSWER---
--------------More than about 10%
Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of: ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Increasing blood flow to the brain
A history of crushing would to the chest, a patient exhibits the following
symptoms: low blood pressure; chest pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and
back; trouble taking deep breaths and rapid shallow breathing. Which of the
following cardio-pulmonary conditions may be responsible and require urgent
surgery? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Cardiac Tamponade
Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a patient undergoing a
surgical procedure: ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Lower than normal
hemoglobin
Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid endarterectomy
may have which of the following transient affects: ---------CORRECT ANSWER--------
---------Bradycardia
A "foot drop" results from insufficiency of the extensor muscles in the foot, and
may be caused by lumbar disc herniation (damage to a nerve root in the lumbar
