INSTRUCTIONS: The following exercises are to be answered by marking the lettered response that best answers the question or best completes the incomplete statement or by writing the answer in the space provided.
After you have completed all the exercises, scroll to the bottom of this page and check your answers.
1. Which team member has the best opportunity to see breaks in aseptic technique?
a. Scrub.
b. Surgeon.
c. Circulator.
d. Anesthetist.
2. What instrument is used to split the external oblique muscle in the laparotomy as described in this subcourse?
___________________________________________________________
3. When you (the scrub) hand a threaded suture to the surgeon, the end of the longer strand of suture should be _____________ by you.
a. Released.
b. Threaded.
c. Held.
d. Tied.
4. The team member who brings the patient into the operating room loosens the sheets covering the patient before transporting him into the room. Why?
___________________________________________________________
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5. What determines the size (length) of hemostat used in a laparotomy as described in this subcourse?
___________________________________________________________
6. What is subcutaneous tissue?
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7. What is the “skin knife” used for in a laparotomy?
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8. When handing an instrument to the surgeon, the scrub snags his gloves. What action is taken by the scrub?
a. Discard instrument, gown, and gloves. Replace with fresh gown and gloves and fresh instrument.
b. Discard gown and gloves and replace with fresh gown and gloves.
c. Discard instrument and change gloves.
9. Why does the circulator decontaminate the floor and walls immediately during the operation if they are contaminated by blood or other organic material?
___________________________________________________________
10. When the surgeon is ready to close the peritoneum, a sponge count is taken. You (the scrub) will report this count to:
a. The surgeon.
b. The circulator.
c. The registered nurse.
d. The operating room supervisor.
11. A thin membranous lining of the abdominal cavity beneath the posterior fascia is known as the __________________________________________________ .
12. During an operation you (the circulator) are replaced by another circulator. What should you do before leaving the operating room?
a. Brief the surgeon.
b. Remove all waste material.
c. Ground yourself by touching the operating room table.
d. Brief the new circulator on what is taking place and count the sponges.
13. What size blade and knife handle are used for the primary incision in a laparotomy?
___________________________________________________________
14. When a member of the surgical team observes a break in aseptic technique, what should he do?
___________________________________________________________
15. The adhesive strips to be placed over the dressing on the patient’s wound should be prepared by the:
a. Scrub.
b. Surgeon.
c. Circulator.
d. Assistant surgeon.
16. The surgeon has finished closing the skin incision during an operation. What should you (the scrub) do before handing him the wound dressing?
a. Hand him a free tie.
b. Remove the suction equipment.
c. Take the drapes off the patient.
d. Wipe around the incision with a wet sponge to remove the blood.
17. When does the surgeon see the abdominal cavity for the first time in the laparotomy described in this subcourse?
___________________________________________________________
18. A tissue specimen to be photographed should be kept moist with which of the following solutions?
a. Distilled water.
b. Normal saline.
c. 70% alcohol.
d. 10% alcohol.
19. You (the scrub) receive a needle from the surgeon with part of the needle broken off. You should immediately:
a. Report this to the surgeon.
b. Report this to the circulator.
c. Report this to the registered nurse.
d. Request additional needles from the circulator.
20. Upon completion of a case, the litter for the patient should be brought into the operating room by which team member?
___________________________________________________________
21. Which team member moves the patient’s head from the operating table to the litter?
___________________________________________________________
22. A _______________ should be used to remove a knife blade from the handle.
23. What is the final disposition of knife blades?
a. Stored for reuse.
b. Placed on a knife rack.
c. Immersed in disinfectant solution.
d. Discarded in accordance with local policy.
Check Your Answers
1. c (para 4-2a)
2. Curved Mayo scissors (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 8)
3. c (para 4-4g)
4. Prevents static electricity. Prevents the scattering of microorganisms due to vigorous handling of the linen. (para 4-2e)
5. Depth of wound (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 5)
6. Layer of fat beneath the skin. (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 4)
7. Making the primary incision. (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 3)
8. c (para 4-2c(2))
9. To prevent microorganisms from drying and becoming airborne. (para 4-2b (6))
10. a (para 4-4i(5))
11. peritoneum (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 10)
12. d (para 4-3n)
13. Scalpel no. 4 and blade no. 20 (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 3)
14. Speak up at once so that corrective measures can be taken. (para 4-2a)
15. c (para 4-3 l)
16. d (para 4-4m)
17. When the peritoneum incision is completed. (Appendix, Opening Procedures, Step 11)
18. b (para 4-3g(2)(b))
19. a (para 4-4h)
20. circulator (para 4-5d)
21. anesthetist (para 4-5d)
22. needle holder (para 4-6a)
23. d (para 4-6a)