CVA - Certified Veterinary Assistant Surgical and Laboratory Assisting Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following surgical instruments is specifically designed for cutting tough, heavy tissues like fascia?
- Metzenbaum scissors
- Mayo scissors (Correct answer)
- Iris scissors
- Lister bandage scissors
Correct answer: Mayo scissors
Mayo scissors are heavier and stronger than Metzenbaum scissors, making them the appropriate choice for cutting dense connective tissues such as fascia. Metzenbaum scissors are more delicate and are used for cutting fine tissues. Iris scissors are small and used for very fine, delicate procedures, like ophthalmic surgery. Lister bandage scissors have a blunted tip and are designed for cutting bandage material without injuring the skin.
Question 2: A CVA is tasked with preparing a surgical pack for sterilization in a gravity displacement autoclave. Which of the following time and temperature parameters is the recognized minimum for achieving sterility for wrapped instruments?
- 15 minutes at 132°C (270°F)
- 30 minutes at 110°C (230°F)
- 4 minutes at 121°C (250°F)
- 30 minutes at 121°C (250°F) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 30 minutes at 121°C (250°F)
The recognized minimum standard for sterilizing wrapped healthcare supplies in a gravity displacement steam sterilizer (autoclave) is 30 minutes at 121°C (250°F). The other options represent incorrect time and temperature combinations for this type of sterilizer and load.
Question 3: When performing a fecal flotation using a standard salt or sugar solution, what scientific principle allows the parasite eggs to be separated from the fecal debris?
- Sedimentation
- Osmosis
- Specific Gravity (Correct answer)
- Agglutination
Correct answer: Specific Gravity
Fecal flotation works based on the principle of specific gravity. The flotation solution is denser (has a higher specific gravity) than the parasite eggs, causing the eggs to float to the surface while the heavier fecal debris sinks to the bottom.
Question 4: During a surgical procedure, the sterile-gowned surgeon asks the CVA, who is acting as a non-sterile circulator, for more sterile saline to moisten a laparotomy sponge. What is the proper procedure for the CVA to pour the saline into a sterile bowl on the instrument stand?
- Remove the cap, hold the bottle high over the bowl, and pour quickly.
- Touch the bottle lip to the inside of the sterile bowl to avoid splashing.
- Remove the cap and pour the saline into the bowl without the bottle touching the sterile field. (Correct answer)
- Wipe the top of the bottle with a sterile gauze before pouring.
Correct answer: Remove the cap and pour the saline into the bowl without the bottle touching the sterile field.
A non-sterile person must not touch or reach over the sterile field. The correct procedure is to remove the cap and carefully pour the solution into the sterile bowl from a safe height, ensuring no part of the non-sterile bottle or the CVA's hand crosses over the sterile field. The lip of the bottle is considered contaminated once the cap is removed, so it must not touch the sterile bowl.
Question 5: A CVA is assisting with a urinalysis and is asked to measure the urine specific gravity (USG). Which instrument is the most accurate tool for this measurement in a clinical setting?
- Urine dipstick
- Centrifuge
- Refractometer (Correct answer)
- Pipette
Correct answer: Refractometer
A refractometer is the standard and most accurate instrument for measuring urine specific gravity in a veterinary practice. While urine dipsticks have a pad for specific gravity, they are known to be inaccurate. A centrifuge is used to separate urine sediment, and a pipette is used for transferring liquid.
Question 6: When placing the final, large fenestrated drape over a patient that has already been squared-off with four smaller drapes, which action would be considered a break in sterile technique?
- Unfolding the drape away from the surgical site without shaking it.
- Securing the drape to the underlying drapes with penetrating towel clamps.
- Shifting the drape from the periphery toward the center of the surgical site after placement. (Correct answer)
- Ensuring the drape extends over the sides of the operating table.
Correct answer: Shifting the drape from the periphery toward the center of the surgical site after placement.
Once a sterile drape is placed, it cannot be moved toward the incision site. Shifting a drape from a less sterile peripheral area toward the sterile central surgical site can drag contaminants into the sterile field, constituting a break in technique. Drapes can be adjusted away from the site, but never towards it.
CVA - Certified Veterinary Assistant Surgical and Laboratory Assisting Questions and Answers
Which of the following surgical instruments is specifically designed for cutting tough, heavy tissues like fascia?