SURG120 Surgical Instrumentation Updated 2026 | Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Exam Questions and Answers, Exam Prep Test Bank,
Surgical Instruments Identification, Sterilization and Infection Control
Procedures, Operating Room Techniques, Instrument Handling and Safety
Standards, Surgical Setups and Tray Organization, and Detailed Revision
Material for Exam Success
Question 1: Which of the following instruments is specifically designed with a
ratcheted handle and a box lock joint to clamp blood vessels without crushing the
surrounding tissue?
A. Rochester-Pean forceps
B. Halsted mosquito forceps
C. DeBakey forceps
D. Allis tissue forceps
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Halsted mosquito forceps
Rationale: The Halsted mosquito forceps is a small, hemostatic clamp with a ratcheted
handle and a box lock. Its fine, serrated jaws are specifically designed to occlude small
blood vessels with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissue. Rochester-Pean forceps
are larger and have transverse serrations, often used for clamping larger vessels or
tissue pedicles. DeBakey forceps are atraumatic vascular tissue forceps, and Allis
forceps are traumatic grasping instruments used to hold heavy tissue.
Question 2: A surgeon is performing a bowel resection and requests an instrument
to grasp the intestinal wall securely without causing perforation. Which of the
following is the most appropriate choice?
A. Kocher forceps
B. Babcock forceps
C. Allis forceps
D. Towel clip
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Babcock forceps
Rationale: Babcock forceps have broad, rounded, fenestrated jaws that are designed to
grasp delicate tissues such as the intestine, fallopian tubes, or appendix with minimal
trauma. The design reduces the risk of crushing or perforating the lumen. Kocher and
Allis forceps are more traumatic due to their serrated or toothed jaws, and towel clips
are used to secure drapes, not for tissue handling.
Question 3: In preparation for a thyroidectomy, the surgeon uses a curved hemostat
to dissect and clamp the inferior thyroid artery. Which instrument is best suited for
this deep, delicate dissection?
,A. Kelly forceps
B. Crile forceps
C. Mixter forceps
D. Schnidt forceps
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Mixter forceps
Rationale: Mixter forceps, also known as right-angle forceps, have a curved, angled tip
that allows for dissection and clamping of deep structures around vessels like the
inferior thyroid artery. The right-angle design facilitates passage around vessels for
ligation. While Kelly and Crile are curved hemostats, they lack the specific angled tip for
this maneuver. Schnidt forceps are used for blunt dissection but are not ideal for
clamping deep, angled vessels.
Question 4: During a total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon needs to make precise
bone cuts. Which instrument is specifically designed to guide the saw blade during
these osteotomies?
A. Mallet
B. Osteotome
C. Cutting guide
D. Rongeur
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cutting guide
Rationale: Cutting guides are precision instruments used in arthroplasty to align and
direct the oscillating saw blade for accurate bone resection. They are crucial for
ensuring proper implant fit and alignment. A mallet is used to strike instruments like
osteotomes or chisels. An osteotome is a chisel-like instrument for cutting bone, and a
rongeur is used to nibble away small pieces of bone.
Question 5: Which of the following retractors is self-retaining and features two or
more blunt, curved blades, commonly used to retract the edges of an abdominal
incision?
A. Army-Navy retractor
B. Richardson retractor
C. Bookwalter retractor
D. Senn retractor
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Bookwalter retractor
Rationale: The Bookwalter retractor is a self-retaining retractor system with an
adjustable ring and multiple interchangeable blades, including blunt, curved ones. It is
commonly used in abdominal surgeries to maintain exposure of the incision. Army-
Navy and Senn retractors are hand-held. Richardson retractors have deep, curved,
,single blades used for retracting the edges of an abdominal wall or viscera but are not
self-retaining on their own.
Question 6: A patient requires a dilation and curettage (D&C). Which instrument is
used to dilate the cervix before the curettage procedure?
A. Sims uterine curette
B. Tenaculum
C. Hegar dilator
D. Auvard speculum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Hegar dilator
Rationale: Hegar dilators are a set of graduated, double-ended, blunt metal rods used
to progressively dilate the cervical canal in gynecological procedures like D&C. The
Sims curette is used for scraping the uterine lining. A tenaculum is a sharp, hook-like
instrument used to grasp and stabilize the cervix. The Auvard speculum is a weighted
vaginal speculum used for exposure.
Question 7: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon needs to
coagulate and cut the cystic duct and artery. Which specialized instrument is used
for this purpose?
A. LigaSure device
B. Harmonic scalpel
C. Endoscopic clip applier
D. Laparoscopic scissors
CORRECT ANSWER: A. LigaSure device
Rationale: The LigaSure device is a bipolar electrosurgical instrument that uses
advanced energy to seal and divide vessels and tissue bundles, such as the cystic duct
and artery, with minimal thermal spread. The Harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic energy.
An endoscopic clip applier is used to place titanium clips for occlusion, but the
LigaSure simultaneously seals and cuts. Laparoscopic scissors are used for cutting
after structures are secured.
Question 8: Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of a Rochester-Pean
hemostatic forceps compared to a Kelly forceps?
A. It has a longer jaw length
B. It has smooth jaws without serrations
C. It has a heavier, more traumatic jaw with horizontal serrations across the entire jaw
D. It is always curved
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. It has a heavier, more traumatic jaw with horizontal
serrations across the entire jaw
Rationale: Rochester-Pean forceps are larger, heavier hemostats with jaws that have
horizontal serrations that run the full length of the jaw, making them more traumatic.
Kelly forceps are lighter and have partial transverse serrations that are only present at
the tip, making them less traumatic. Both can be straight or curved, and their jaw length
is generally similar for corresponding sizes.
Question 9: For a craniotomy, the surgeon needs to remove a section of the skull to
access the brain. Which instrument is used to cut the bone flap?
A. Decompression laminectomy rongeur
B. Kerrison rongeur
C. Gigli saw
D. Midas Rex drill
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Gigli saw
Rationale: The Gigli saw is a flexible, wire-like saw used in cranial surgery to cut a bone
flap. Its design allows for precise bone cuts with minimal damage to the underlying
dura. A Kerrison rongeur is used to nibble bone in a laminectomy. A decompression
laminectomy rongeur is a heavier rongeur. The Midas Rex drill is a high-speed drill used
for burr holes and shaping bone, but the Gigli saw is specifically used for the craniotomy
cut.
Question 10: Which suction tip is designed with a side vent to prevent tissue from
being aspirated and damaged during delicate surgical procedures, such as a
cholecystectomy?
A. Yankauer suction tip
B. Poole suction tip
C. Frazier suction tip
D. Andrews suction tip
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frazier suction tip
Rationale: The Frazier suction tip is a fine, flexible tip with a side vent (or thumb control)
that allows the surgeon to control the suction pressure and prevents delicate tissues
from being inadvertently aspirated into the tip, reducing the risk of trauma. The
Yankauer has a large bore for gross suctioning. The Poole has multiple holes for
suctioning large volumes of fluid without clogging. Andrews suction tips are typically
used for tonsillectomies.
Guide, Practice Exam Questions and Answers, Exam Prep Test Bank,
Surgical Instruments Identification, Sterilization and Infection Control
Procedures, Operating Room Techniques, Instrument Handling and Safety
Standards, Surgical Setups and Tray Organization, and Detailed Revision
Material for Exam Success
Question 1: Which of the following instruments is specifically designed with a
ratcheted handle and a box lock joint to clamp blood vessels without crushing the
surrounding tissue?
A. Rochester-Pean forceps
B. Halsted mosquito forceps
C. DeBakey forceps
D. Allis tissue forceps
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Halsted mosquito forceps
Rationale: The Halsted mosquito forceps is a small, hemostatic clamp with a ratcheted
handle and a box lock. Its fine, serrated jaws are specifically designed to occlude small
blood vessels with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissue. Rochester-Pean forceps
are larger and have transverse serrations, often used for clamping larger vessels or
tissue pedicles. DeBakey forceps are atraumatic vascular tissue forceps, and Allis
forceps are traumatic grasping instruments used to hold heavy tissue.
Question 2: A surgeon is performing a bowel resection and requests an instrument
to grasp the intestinal wall securely without causing perforation. Which of the
following is the most appropriate choice?
A. Kocher forceps
B. Babcock forceps
C. Allis forceps
D. Towel clip
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Babcock forceps
Rationale: Babcock forceps have broad, rounded, fenestrated jaws that are designed to
grasp delicate tissues such as the intestine, fallopian tubes, or appendix with minimal
trauma. The design reduces the risk of crushing or perforating the lumen. Kocher and
Allis forceps are more traumatic due to their serrated or toothed jaws, and towel clips
are used to secure drapes, not for tissue handling.
Question 3: In preparation for a thyroidectomy, the surgeon uses a curved hemostat
to dissect and clamp the inferior thyroid artery. Which instrument is best suited for
this deep, delicate dissection?
,A. Kelly forceps
B. Crile forceps
C. Mixter forceps
D. Schnidt forceps
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Mixter forceps
Rationale: Mixter forceps, also known as right-angle forceps, have a curved, angled tip
that allows for dissection and clamping of deep structures around vessels like the
inferior thyroid artery. The right-angle design facilitates passage around vessels for
ligation. While Kelly and Crile are curved hemostats, they lack the specific angled tip for
this maneuver. Schnidt forceps are used for blunt dissection but are not ideal for
clamping deep, angled vessels.
Question 4: During a total knee arthroplasty, the surgeon needs to make precise
bone cuts. Which instrument is specifically designed to guide the saw blade during
these osteotomies?
A. Mallet
B. Osteotome
C. Cutting guide
D. Rongeur
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cutting guide
Rationale: Cutting guides are precision instruments used in arthroplasty to align and
direct the oscillating saw blade for accurate bone resection. They are crucial for
ensuring proper implant fit and alignment. A mallet is used to strike instruments like
osteotomes or chisels. An osteotome is a chisel-like instrument for cutting bone, and a
rongeur is used to nibble away small pieces of bone.
Question 5: Which of the following retractors is self-retaining and features two or
more blunt, curved blades, commonly used to retract the edges of an abdominal
incision?
A. Army-Navy retractor
B. Richardson retractor
C. Bookwalter retractor
D. Senn retractor
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Bookwalter retractor
Rationale: The Bookwalter retractor is a self-retaining retractor system with an
adjustable ring and multiple interchangeable blades, including blunt, curved ones. It is
commonly used in abdominal surgeries to maintain exposure of the incision. Army-
Navy and Senn retractors are hand-held. Richardson retractors have deep, curved,
,single blades used for retracting the edges of an abdominal wall or viscera but are not
self-retaining on their own.
Question 6: A patient requires a dilation and curettage (D&C). Which instrument is
used to dilate the cervix before the curettage procedure?
A. Sims uterine curette
B. Tenaculum
C. Hegar dilator
D. Auvard speculum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Hegar dilator
Rationale: Hegar dilators are a set of graduated, double-ended, blunt metal rods used
to progressively dilate the cervical canal in gynecological procedures like D&C. The
Sims curette is used for scraping the uterine lining. A tenaculum is a sharp, hook-like
instrument used to grasp and stabilize the cervix. The Auvard speculum is a weighted
vaginal speculum used for exposure.
Question 7: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon needs to
coagulate and cut the cystic duct and artery. Which specialized instrument is used
for this purpose?
A. LigaSure device
B. Harmonic scalpel
C. Endoscopic clip applier
D. Laparoscopic scissors
CORRECT ANSWER: A. LigaSure device
Rationale: The LigaSure device is a bipolar electrosurgical instrument that uses
advanced energy to seal and divide vessels and tissue bundles, such as the cystic duct
and artery, with minimal thermal spread. The Harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic energy.
An endoscopic clip applier is used to place titanium clips for occlusion, but the
LigaSure simultaneously seals and cuts. Laparoscopic scissors are used for cutting
after structures are secured.
Question 8: Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of a Rochester-Pean
hemostatic forceps compared to a Kelly forceps?
A. It has a longer jaw length
B. It has smooth jaws without serrations
C. It has a heavier, more traumatic jaw with horizontal serrations across the entire jaw
D. It is always curved
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. It has a heavier, more traumatic jaw with horizontal
serrations across the entire jaw
Rationale: Rochester-Pean forceps are larger, heavier hemostats with jaws that have
horizontal serrations that run the full length of the jaw, making them more traumatic.
Kelly forceps are lighter and have partial transverse serrations that are only present at
the tip, making them less traumatic. Both can be straight or curved, and their jaw length
is generally similar for corresponding sizes.
Question 9: For a craniotomy, the surgeon needs to remove a section of the skull to
access the brain. Which instrument is used to cut the bone flap?
A. Decompression laminectomy rongeur
B. Kerrison rongeur
C. Gigli saw
D. Midas Rex drill
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Gigli saw
Rationale: The Gigli saw is a flexible, wire-like saw used in cranial surgery to cut a bone
flap. Its design allows for precise bone cuts with minimal damage to the underlying
dura. A Kerrison rongeur is used to nibble bone in a laminectomy. A decompression
laminectomy rongeur is a heavier rongeur. The Midas Rex drill is a high-speed drill used
for burr holes and shaping bone, but the Gigli saw is specifically used for the craniotomy
cut.
Question 10: Which suction tip is designed with a side vent to prevent tissue from
being aspirated and damaged during delicate surgical procedures, such as a
cholecystectomy?
A. Yankauer suction tip
B. Poole suction tip
C. Frazier suction tip
D. Andrews suction tip
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frazier suction tip
Rationale: The Frazier suction tip is a fine, flexible tip with a side vent (or thumb control)
that allows the surgeon to control the suction pressure and prevents delicate tissues
from being inadvertently aspirated into the tip, reducing the risk of trauma. The
Yankauer has a large bore for gross suctioning. The Poole has multiple holes for
suctioning large volumes of fluid without clogging. Andrews suction tips are typically
used for tonsillectomies.
