VTNE Surgical Nursing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following instruments is classified as a needle holder?
- Mayo-Hegar (Correct answer)
- Metzenbaum
- Gelpi
- Allis
Correct answer: Mayo-Hegar
The Mayo-Hegar needle holder is a standard needle driver used to grasp and pass suture needles through tissue during wound closure.
Question 2: The zona contaminata in surgery refers to:
- The sterile draped area immediately around the incision
- The area beyond the sterile field that is considered non-sterile (Correct answer)
- The surgical site preparation zone
- The scrub technician's back table
Correct answer: The area beyond the sterile field that is considered non-sterile
The zona contaminata encompasses all areas outside the established sterile field, which are considered non-sterile and must not contact sterile items.
Question 3: Which post-operative complication is characterized by seroma of the subcutaneous space and fluctuant swelling at the incision site without heat or pain?
- Wound dehiscence
- Seroma formation (Correct answer)
- Surgical site infection
- Hematoma rupture
Correct answer: Seroma formation
A seroma is a collection of fluid (serum) in dead space under the incision; it presents as a soft, fluctuant, non-painful swelling without signs of infection.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly describes the 'scrubbed' role versus the 'circulating' role in the surgical team?
- The scrubbed technician is sterile and handles instruments; the circulator is non-sterile and handles non-sterile tasks (Correct answer)
- Both roles are sterile during the procedure
- The circulator passes sterile instruments directly to the surgeon
- The scrubbed technician opens sterile packages from outside the field
Correct answer: The scrubbed technician is sterile and handles instruments; the circulator is non-sterile and handles non-sterile tasks
The scrubbed (sterile) technician is gowned and gloved, handling sterile instruments, while the circulator remains non-sterile to manage the OR environment and open supplies.
Question 5: Why is polyglycolic acid (PGA) suture preferred over catgut in contaminated wounds?
- PGA loses tensile strength faster
- PGA is non-absorbable
- PGA is more resistant to degradation by bacterial enzymes in infected environments (Correct answer)
- PGA causes more tissue reaction
Correct answer: PGA is more resistant to degradation by bacterial enzymes in infected environments
PGA (Dexon) resists degradation by bacterial collagenases better than catgut, maintaining tensile strength longer in contaminated or infected tissue.
Question 6: A patient's SpO2 drops to 88% intraoperatively. After checking the sensor placement, the NEXT action is to:
- Increase isoflurane vaporizer setting
- Manually ventilate with 100% oxygen and assess airway and breathing (Correct answer)
- Administer atropine IV
- Decrease IV fluid rate
Correct answer: Manually ventilate with 100% oxygen and assess airway and breathing
An SpO2 of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia requiring immediate manual ventilation with 100% O2 and assessment of airway patency, ETT position, and lung sounds.
Question 7: Which statement about radiation safety in the surgical suite (e.g., C-arm fluoroscopy) is CORRECT?
- Lead aprons protect against scatter radiation but should be folded when stored
- Dosimetry badges are worn under the lead apron at waist level
- Standing directly behind the X-ray source is the safest position
- Lead aprons should be stored flat or on a hanger and never folded to prevent cracking (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lead aprons should be stored flat or on a hanger and never folded to prevent cracking
Lead aprons must be stored flat or hung on dedicated racks; folding creates cracks in the lead lining that reduce radiation protection.
VTNE Surgical Nursing 5
Which of the following instruments is classified as a needle holder?