OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL ASSISTANT EXAM NEWEST
2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| OPHTHALMIC
SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
WITH 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient is scheduled for cataract surgery. Which preoperative
measurement is essential for intraocular lens (IOL) power
calculation?
A) Corneal topography
B) Axial length and keratometry
C) Fluorescein angiography
D) Visual field testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IOL power calculation requires axial length (measured
by A-scan ultrasound or optical biometry) and keratometry
(corneal curvature). These values are used in formulas such as
SRK/T, Holladay, or Barrett.
1
,Question 2
The ophthalmic surgical assistant must verify which of the
following before the patient enters the operating room?
A) Correct patient identity, procedure, and laterality
B) Patient’s preferred lens material
C) Referring physician’s name
D) Insurance authorization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires verification of correct
patient, procedure, and site (laterality) before surgery to prevent
wrong-site/wrong-procedure errors. A "time out" is performed with
the entire surgical team.
Question 3
Which medication is commonly used to dilate the pupil
preoperatively for cataract surgery?
A) Pilocarpine 1%
B) Phenylephrine 2.5% and tropicamide 1%
2
, C) Timolol 0.5%
D) Latanoprost 0.005%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenylephrine (sympathomimetic) and tropicamide
(anticholinergic) are combined for maximal dilation. Pilocarpine
constricts the pupil. Timolol and latanoprost lower intraocular
pressure.
Question 4
A patient’s preoperative blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg. The
surgical assistant should:
A) Proceed with surgery as planned
B) Notify the anesthesiologist and surgeon; surgery may be
postponed
C) Administer oral antihypertensive immediately
D) Ignore the reading if the patient feels fine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypertension is a relative contraindication to
elective ophthalmic surgery due to risk of intraoperative
3
, hemorrhage, stroke, or myocardial event. The anesthesia provider
and surgeon must evaluate before proceeding.
Question 5
Which laboratory test is routinely required before routine
cataract surgery in an otherwise healthy patient?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Prothrombin time (PT/INR)
C) None, if no systemic comorbidities
D) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Routine lab testing is not indicated for low-risk patients
undergoing cataract surgery. Tests are ordered based on medical
history (e.g., INR for patients on warfarin).
Question 6
The surgical assistant is preparing a patient for pterygium
excision. Which preoperative medication is most important to
note?
4
2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| OPHTHALMIC
SURGICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
WITH 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient is scheduled for cataract surgery. Which preoperative
measurement is essential for intraocular lens (IOL) power
calculation?
A) Corneal topography
B) Axial length and keratometry
C) Fluorescein angiography
D) Visual field testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IOL power calculation requires axial length (measured
by A-scan ultrasound or optical biometry) and keratometry
(corneal curvature). These values are used in formulas such as
SRK/T, Holladay, or Barrett.
1
,Question 2
The ophthalmic surgical assistant must verify which of the
following before the patient enters the operating room?
A) Correct patient identity, procedure, and laterality
B) Patient’s preferred lens material
C) Referring physician’s name
D) Insurance authorization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires verification of correct
patient, procedure, and site (laterality) before surgery to prevent
wrong-site/wrong-procedure errors. A "time out" is performed with
the entire surgical team.
Question 3
Which medication is commonly used to dilate the pupil
preoperatively for cataract surgery?
A) Pilocarpine 1%
B) Phenylephrine 2.5% and tropicamide 1%
2
, C) Timolol 0.5%
D) Latanoprost 0.005%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenylephrine (sympathomimetic) and tropicamide
(anticholinergic) are combined for maximal dilation. Pilocarpine
constricts the pupil. Timolol and latanoprost lower intraocular
pressure.
Question 4
A patient’s preoperative blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg. The
surgical assistant should:
A) Proceed with surgery as planned
B) Notify the anesthesiologist and surgeon; surgery may be
postponed
C) Administer oral antihypertensive immediately
D) Ignore the reading if the patient feels fine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypertension is a relative contraindication to
elective ophthalmic surgery due to risk of intraoperative
3
, hemorrhage, stroke, or myocardial event. The anesthesia provider
and surgeon must evaluate before proceeding.
Question 5
Which laboratory test is routinely required before routine
cataract surgery in an otherwise healthy patient?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Prothrombin time (PT/INR)
C) None, if no systemic comorbidities
D) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Routine lab testing is not indicated for low-risk patients
undergoing cataract surgery. Tests are ordered based on medical
history (e.g., INR for patients on warfarin).
Question 6
The surgical assistant is preparing a patient for pterygium
excision. Which preoperative medication is most important to
note?
4
