Surgical Assisting and Minor Surgery Flashcards
7 cards from real RMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Assisting and Minor Surgery flashcards as text
Lidocaine with epinephrine should be avoided in which area?
Answer: Fingers, toes, nose, or ears
Epinephrine's vasoconstriction can cause tissue ischemia in distal structures like digits.
The medical assistant's role in informed consent for a minor procedure is to:
Answer: Witness the patient's signature after the provider explains
The provider obtains consent; the assistant typically witnesses the signature.
Why is epinephrine sometimes added to a local anesthetic?
Answer: To cause vasoconstriction and prolong the anesthetic effect
Vasoconstriction slows anesthetic absorption, prolonging its action and reducing bleeding.
After a minor surgical procedure, the first sign of infection a patient should report is:
Answer: Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or purulent drainage
Redness, warmth, swelling, and pus indicate possible wound infection.
Specimens removed during minor surgery should be:
Answer: Placed in a labeled container with preservative for the lab
Specimens are placed in preservative, labeled, and sent to pathology.
Which chemical agent is commonly used as a skin antiseptic before minor surgery?
Answer: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine
Povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine are standard preoperative skin antiseptics.
When assisting, sterile instruments should be passed to the provider:
Answer: Handle-first so it is ready to use
Passing handle-first lets the provider grasp and use the instrument immediately.