VTNE Surgical Nursing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which suture pattern is most appropriate for closing a hollow viscus such as the intestine to create an inverting, leak-resistant closure?
- Simple interrupted
- Cushing (Correct answer)
- Ford interlocking
- Cruciate
Correct answer: Cushing
The Cushing pattern is an inverting suture used for hollow organs such as the intestine and stomach to create a secure, leak-resistant closure.
Question 2: A patient undergoing abdominal surgery has a heart rate of 140 bpm and pale mucous membranes. The FIRST priority action by the veterinary technician is to:
- Increase the anesthetic depth
- Alert the surgeon and prepare IV fluids (Correct answer)
- Apply warming blankets
- Reposition the patient
Correct answer: Alert the surgeon and prepare IV fluids
Tachycardia with pale mucous membranes suggests hemorrhagic shock, requiring immediate communication with the surgeon and fluid resuscitation.
Question 3: Which of the following describes the CORRECT order for donning sterile surgical attire?
- Gown then gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves then gown
- Mask then gloves then gown
- Cap then gown then gloves then mask
Correct answer: Gown then gloves
Sterile gown is donned first, followed by sterile gloves, to maintain sterility of the gloved hands during the gloving process.
Question 4: Electrosurgery units use which mechanism to cut or coagulate tissue?
- Laser photoablation
- High-frequency alternating electrical current generating heat (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic vibration
- Direct electrical current causing muscle contraction
Correct answer: High-frequency alternating electrical current generating heat
Electrosurgical units pass high-frequency alternating current through tissue, generating heat that cuts or coagulates depending on waveform and power settings.
Question 5: When preparing a surgical site using a chlorhexidine scrub, how many alternating scrub-and-rinse cycles are recommended before applying the final antiseptic?
- 1
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 5
Correct answer: 3
Three alternating scrub-and-rinse cycles with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine are the standard to achieve adequate skin antisepsis.
Question 6: Which instrument is used to hold tissue apart and maintain exposure of the surgical field without requiring the surgeon to hold it continuously?
- Gelpi retractor (Correct answer)
- Allis tissue forceps
- Babcock forceps
- Metzenbaum scissors
Correct answer: Gelpi retractor
Self-retaining retractors such as the Gelpi hold tissue open automatically, freeing the surgeon's hands during the procedure.
Question 7: A cat recovering from an ovariohysterectomy is shivering and has a rectal temperature of 96°F (35.6°C). The BEST immediate intervention is:
- Administer a bolus of cold saline
- Increase IV fluid rate to 20 mL/kg/hr
- Apply active external warming and monitor temperature every 5 minutes (Correct answer)
- Administer corticosteroids
Correct answer: Apply active external warming and monitor temperature every 5 minutes
Hypothermia is common post-operatively in cats; active warming with warm water blankets or forced-air warmers and frequent temperature monitoring is the correct response.
VTNE Surgical Nursing 2
Which suture pattern is most appropriate for closing a hollow viscus such as the intestine to create an inverting, leak-resistant closure?