ABSA SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE SURGICAL ASSISTING PRINCIPLES
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
◉ 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%
◉ Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of:
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? Answer:
Cardiac Tamponade
◉ Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a
patient undergoing a surgical procedure: Answer: Lower than
normal hemoglobin
◉ Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects:
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 spine), or damage to/compression of the
_______ nerve as it courses superficial to the fibular head. Answer:
Peroneal
◉ The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: Answer: Vagus
Nerve
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE SURGICAL ASSISTING PRINCIPLES
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
◉ 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%
◉ Putting a patient into Trendelenberg position has the effect of:
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? Answer:
Cardiac Tamponade
◉ Which of the following may be a cause of acute cyanosis in a
patient undergoing a surgical procedure: Answer: Lower than
normal hemoglobin
◉ Direct inadvertent stimulation of the Vagus nerve during carotid
endarterectomy may have which of the following transient affects:
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 spine), or damage to/compression of the
_______ nerve as it courses superficial to the fibular head. Answer:
Peroneal
◉ The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the: Answer: Vagus
Nerve
