AST Practice Study Guide Questions with A level solution
version 2025/2026
What type of dressing would usually be used for a laparotomy procedure?
a. Wet-to-wet
b. One-layer
c. Pressure
d. Retroperitoneum - correct answer c. pressure
To prevent deep-vein thrombosis in the bariatric patient, what preoperative
drug is given?
a. Nitroglycerine
b. Heparin
c. Mannitol
d. Vitamin K - correct answer b. Heparin
Which space is entered during a thymectomy?
a. Mediastinum
b. Interstitial
c. Pleural cavity
d. Retroperitoneum - correct answer a. Mediastinum
Femoral rasps are used for which of the following reasons:
a. Expose the operative site
b. File the cortical bone
c. Prepare the intramedullary space for a prosthesis
,d. Inject bone cement into the intramedullary space - correct answer c.
Prepare the intramedullary space for a prosthesis
Which of the following is part of the immune system?
a. Liver
b. Spleen
c. Pancreas
d. Thryoid - correct answer b. spleen
What incision is frequently used for pediatric aortic coarctation repair?
a. Thoracoabdominal
b. Median sternotomy
c. Posterolateral thoracotomy
d. Anterolateral thoracotomy - correct answer c. Posterolateral thoracotomy
Type and cross match for blood is completed:
a. On all hospital patients
b. In the OR, just before the incision is made
c. If blood loss with replacement is anticipated
d. On all surgical patients - correct answer c. If blood loss with replacement
is anticipated
The purpose of the kidney elevator is to:
a. Increase the intercostal spaces
b. Stabilize the patient
c. Facilitate respiration of the dependent lung
, d. Increase the space between the lower rib and iliac crest - correct answer
d. Increase the space between the lower rib and iliac crest
When storing information on the hard drive of a computer, what is clicked?
a. Open
b. Delete
c. Save
d. Enter - correct answer c. save
Which of the following is the proper method for handling disposable suction
containers when turning over an OR?
a. Empty contents in hopper and place in waste container
b. Place container in waste disposal
c. Wipe down outside of the container and place in biohazard bag for disposal
d. Transport with instruments in case cart to decontamination room - correct
answer c. Wipe down outside of the container and place in biohazard bag
for disposal
Which of the following can cause lumbosacral strain in the lithotomy position?
a. Stirrups not properly padded
b. Arm boards placed beyond 90 degrees
c. Safety strap is placed too tightly
d. Buttocks extend past table break - correct answer d. Buttocks extend
past table break
A midline xiphoid to pubis incision is commonly made for a/an:
a. Abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy
b. Transverse colectomy
version 2025/2026
What type of dressing would usually be used for a laparotomy procedure?
a. Wet-to-wet
b. One-layer
c. Pressure
d. Retroperitoneum - correct answer c. pressure
To prevent deep-vein thrombosis in the bariatric patient, what preoperative
drug is given?
a. Nitroglycerine
b. Heparin
c. Mannitol
d. Vitamin K - correct answer b. Heparin
Which space is entered during a thymectomy?
a. Mediastinum
b. Interstitial
c. Pleural cavity
d. Retroperitoneum - correct answer a. Mediastinum
Femoral rasps are used for which of the following reasons:
a. Expose the operative site
b. File the cortical bone
c. Prepare the intramedullary space for a prosthesis
,d. Inject bone cement into the intramedullary space - correct answer c.
Prepare the intramedullary space for a prosthesis
Which of the following is part of the immune system?
a. Liver
b. Spleen
c. Pancreas
d. Thryoid - correct answer b. spleen
What incision is frequently used for pediatric aortic coarctation repair?
a. Thoracoabdominal
b. Median sternotomy
c. Posterolateral thoracotomy
d. Anterolateral thoracotomy - correct answer c. Posterolateral thoracotomy
Type and cross match for blood is completed:
a. On all hospital patients
b. In the OR, just before the incision is made
c. If blood loss with replacement is anticipated
d. On all surgical patients - correct answer c. If blood loss with replacement
is anticipated
The purpose of the kidney elevator is to:
a. Increase the intercostal spaces
b. Stabilize the patient
c. Facilitate respiration of the dependent lung
, d. Increase the space between the lower rib and iliac crest - correct answer
d. Increase the space between the lower rib and iliac crest
When storing information on the hard drive of a computer, what is clicked?
a. Open
b. Delete
c. Save
d. Enter - correct answer c. save
Which of the following is the proper method for handling disposable suction
containers when turning over an OR?
a. Empty contents in hopper and place in waste container
b. Place container in waste disposal
c. Wipe down outside of the container and place in biohazard bag for disposal
d. Transport with instruments in case cart to decontamination room - correct
answer c. Wipe down outside of the container and place in biohazard bag
for disposal
Which of the following can cause lumbosacral strain in the lithotomy position?
a. Stirrups not properly padded
b. Arm boards placed beyond 90 degrees
c. Safety strap is placed too tightly
d. Buttocks extend past table break - correct answer d. Buttocks extend
past table break
A midline xiphoid to pubis incision is commonly made for a/an:
a. Abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy
b. Transverse colectomy
