Surgical Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real VTNE 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 Nursing flashcards as text
Which suture pattern is most appropriate for closing a hollow viscus such as the intestine to create an inverting, leak-resistant closure?
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.
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:
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.
Which of the following describes the CORRECT order for donning sterile surgical attire?
Answer: Gown then gloves
Sterile gown is donned first, followed by sterile gloves, to maintain sterility of the gloved hands during the gloving process.
Electrosurgery units use which mechanism to cut or coagulate tissue?
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.
When preparing a surgical site using a chlorhexidine scrub, how many alternating scrub-and-rinse cycles are recommended before applying the final antiseptic?
Answer: 3
Three alternating scrub-and-rinse cycles with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine are the standard to achieve adequate skin antisepsis.
Which instrument is used to hold tissue apart and maintain exposure of the surgical field without requiring the surgeon to hold it continuously?
Answer: Gelpi retractor
Self-retaining retractors such as the Gelpi hold tissue open automatically, freeing the surgeon's hands during the procedure.
A cat recovering from an ovariohysterectomy is shivering and has a rectal temperature of 96°F (35.6°C). The BEST immediate intervention is:
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.