CET Endoscopic Equipment & Instrumentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which endoscopic accessory is used to retrieve polyps or foreign bodies from the GI tract?
- Injection needle
- Polypectomy snare
- Retrieval net/basket (Correct answer)
- Hot biopsy forceps
Correct answer: Retrieval net/basket
Retrieval nets and baskets are designed to capture and remove polyps, stones, or foreign objects from the GI lumen.
Question 2: What is the primary function of an electrosurgical unit (ESU/generator) during endoscopic procedures?
- Powers the video processor
- Delivers electrical current for cutting and coagulation of tissue (Correct answer)
- Controls scope deflection
- Provides suction pressure
Correct answer: Delivers electrical current for cutting and coagulation of tissue
The ESU delivers high-frequency electrical current through accessories like snares or probes to cut tissue or achieve hemostasis.
Question 3: During colonoscopy, carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation is preferred over room air primarily because:
- CO2 provides better visualization
- CO2 is absorbed more rapidly, reducing post-procedure discomfort (Correct answer)
- CO2 is less expensive
- CO2 prevents perforation
Correct answer: CO2 is absorbed more rapidly, reducing post-procedure discomfort
CO2 is absorbed across the bowel mucosa approximately 150 times faster than nitrogen in room air, significantly reducing post-procedure bloating and pain.
Question 4: What is the role of an overtube in endoscopic procedures?
- Provides a conduit for the endoscope, stabilizes scope position, and prevents looping (Correct answer)
- Delivers irrigation fluid
- Contains the light source cable
- Measures intraluminal pressure
Correct answer: Provides a conduit for the endoscope, stabilizes scope position, and prevents looping
An overtube is placed over the endoscope to straighten and stabilize it, prevent loop formation, and allow repeated scope passes.
Question 5: Which type of biopsy forceps is used to simultaneously obtain a tissue sample and coagulate the site?
- Cold biopsy forceps
- Hot biopsy forceps (Correct answer)
- Jumbo forceps
- Alligator forceps
Correct answer: Hot biopsy forceps
Hot biopsy forceps are connected to an electrosurgical unit and coagulate the tissue base while obtaining the biopsy specimen.
Question 6: A hemostatic clip (endoclip) is used during endoscopy primarily to:
- Mark a lesion for surgical localization
- Mechanically compress bleeding vessels or close defects (Correct answer)
- Dilate a stricture
- Anchor a feeding tube
Correct answer: Mechanically compress bleeding vessels or close defects
Endoscopic clips mechanically compress tissue to achieve hemostasis at bleeding sites or approximate mucosal edges to close perforations.
Question 7: Which device is used to measure the diameter of a luminal stricture during endoscopy?
- Manometry catheter
- Calibration balloon or radiopaque sizing catheter (Correct answer)
- Dilating bougie
- Injection sclerotherapy needle
Correct answer: Calibration balloon or radiopaque sizing catheter
Calibration balloons or radiopaque sizing catheters passed through the stricture allow estimation of the narrowing's diameter under fluoroscopy or direct vision.
CET Endoscopic Equipment & Instrumentation 3
Which endoscopic accessory is used to retrieve polyps or foreign bodies from the GI tract?