1|Page
NBSTSA CSFA Exam Mastery – Surgical First
Assistant Certification Prep latest Update
2026/2027
Primary purpose of a robotic device designed to hold and maneuver a
laparoscope ......ANSWER......Eliminate tremor associated with
operating an endoscope
Most important considerations when preventing wound infection
......ANSWER......Pathogen transmission, portal of entry, invasion of
host
Tendon autograft most commonly used for ACL reconstruction
......ANSWER......Patellar tendon
Normal RBC range in adult male CBC ......ANSWER......4.6-6.2 × 10⁶/nL
Skin organism that commonly causes wound infections
......ANSWER......Staphylococcus aureus
Desired effect of partially threaded cancellous screw
......ANSWER......Compression
Position of chest drainage system during transfer
......ANSWER......Maintained below the patient's chest level
pg. 1
,2|Page
Bones that make up pelvic girdle ......ANSWER......Coccyx, sacrum, os
coxae
Reason arteries are unclamped/reclamped during carotid
endarterectomy ......ANSWER......Flush free debris from the carotid
Artery commonly injured causing epidural hematoma
......ANSWER......Middle meningeal artery
Artery cannula tip directed into during CPB ......ANSWER......Aorta
Example of a high-level disinfectant ......ANSWER......Glutaraldehyde
Infected wound left open and closed later ......ANSWER......Delayed
primary closure
Long-term complication of cemented total hip arthroplasty
......ANSWER......Loosening of the prosthesis
Lag screw placement during compression hip screw fixation
......ANSWER......Within 1 cm of the femoral articular surface
pg. 2
, 3|Page
Cause of hypotension and respiratory failure after epidural bolus
......ANSWER......Migration of epidural catheter through the dura
Main consideration in surgical needle selection
......ANSWER......Minimize trauma
Structure to identify/protect in posterolateral hip approach
......ANSWER......Sciatic nerve
Defects in Tetralogy of Fallot ......ANSWER......Ventricular Septal Defect,
pulmonary stenosis, Right Ventricular hypertrophy
Principle used when pulling on wrist to reduce radius fracture
......ANSWER......Traction-countertraction
Legal doctrine if instrument left in patient ......ANSWER......Res ipsa
loquitur
Muscle released with short external rotators during hip approach
......ANSWER......Piriformis
Structures identified during open appendectomy
......ANSWER......Cecum and ileocecal valve
pg. 3
NBSTSA CSFA Exam Mastery – Surgical First
Assistant Certification Prep latest Update
2026/2027
Primary purpose of a robotic device designed to hold and maneuver a
laparoscope ......ANSWER......Eliminate tremor associated with
operating an endoscope
Most important considerations when preventing wound infection
......ANSWER......Pathogen transmission, portal of entry, invasion of
host
Tendon autograft most commonly used for ACL reconstruction
......ANSWER......Patellar tendon
Normal RBC range in adult male CBC ......ANSWER......4.6-6.2 × 10⁶/nL
Skin organism that commonly causes wound infections
......ANSWER......Staphylococcus aureus
Desired effect of partially threaded cancellous screw
......ANSWER......Compression
Position of chest drainage system during transfer
......ANSWER......Maintained below the patient's chest level
pg. 1
,2|Page
Bones that make up pelvic girdle ......ANSWER......Coccyx, sacrum, os
coxae
Reason arteries are unclamped/reclamped during carotid
endarterectomy ......ANSWER......Flush free debris from the carotid
Artery commonly injured causing epidural hematoma
......ANSWER......Middle meningeal artery
Artery cannula tip directed into during CPB ......ANSWER......Aorta
Example of a high-level disinfectant ......ANSWER......Glutaraldehyde
Infected wound left open and closed later ......ANSWER......Delayed
primary closure
Long-term complication of cemented total hip arthroplasty
......ANSWER......Loosening of the prosthesis
Lag screw placement during compression hip screw fixation
......ANSWER......Within 1 cm of the femoral articular surface
pg. 2
, 3|Page
Cause of hypotension and respiratory failure after epidural bolus
......ANSWER......Migration of epidural catheter through the dura
Main consideration in surgical needle selection
......ANSWER......Minimize trauma
Structure to identify/protect in posterolateral hip approach
......ANSWER......Sciatic nerve
Defects in Tetralogy of Fallot ......ANSWER......Ventricular Septal Defect,
pulmonary stenosis, Right Ventricular hypertrophy
Principle used when pulling on wrist to reduce radius fracture
......ANSWER......Traction-countertraction
Legal doctrine if instrument left in patient ......ANSWER......Res ipsa
loquitur
Muscle released with short external rotators during hip approach
......ANSWER......Piriformis
Structures identified during open appendectomy
......ANSWER......Cecum and ileocecal valve
pg. 3
