AAVSB - American Association of Veterinary State Boards Surgical Procedures and Nursing Questions and Answers

Question 1

A circulating nurse in the operating room observes a sterile-gowned surgeon lean against a non-sterile wall. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Announce the break in sterile technique and assist the surgeon in changing their gown and gloves.

Answer

Continue with the procedure as the front of the gown is likely still sterile.

Answer

Place a sterile drape over the contaminated area of the surgeon's back.

Answer

Immediately apply a disinfectant solution to the area of the gown that touched the wall.

Question 2

What are the standard minimum time, temperature, and pressure settings for sterilizing a routine surgical instrument pack in a gravity displacement autoclave?

Accepted Answer

15 minutes at 121°C (250°F) and 15 psi

Answer

10 minutes at 115°C (240°F) and 10 psi

Answer

3 minutes at 132°C (270°F) and 30 psi

Answer

20 minutes at 100°C (212°F) and 5 psi

Question 3

During anesthesia, the capnograph for a 6-year-old canine patient shows an end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) reading consistently between 55-60 mmHg. The waveform is normal in shape, but the baseline is not returning to zero. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Malfunctioning one-way valve or exhausted CO2 absorbent.

Answer

Hyperventilation due to a light plane of anesthesia.

Answer

Hypotension caused by the anesthetic agent.

Answer

Esophageal intubation.

Question 4

A 9-month-old cat is in recovery following an ovariohysterectomy. The veterinary nurse notes the cat is shivering intensely, has a rectal temperature of 36.1°C (97.0°F), and is slow to respond. Which of the following is a significant potential complication of this patient's condition?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged recovery and delayed drug metabolism

Answer

Rebound hyperthermia

Answer

Rapid anesthetic metabolism

Answer

Hypertension and tachycardia

Question 5

When selecting a suture material for closing the linea alba in a large, active dog, which characteristic is LEAST desirable?

Accepted Answer

Absorbable with a rapid loss of strength

Answer

High tensile strength

Answer

Monofilament structure

Answer

Good knot security

Question 6

A veterinary technician is preparing a patient's skin for orthopedic surgery. Which of the following represents the correct final step in the aseptic skin preparation process?

Accepted Answer

A final paint of antiseptic solution, applied starting at the center of the proposed incision site and working outwards in a circular pattern.

Answer

A final paint of antiseptic solution, applied starting at the periphery and working towards the center of the proposed incision site.

Answer

Wiping the prepared area with a dry, sterile gauze sponge to remove excess solution.

Answer

Rinsing the area thoroughly with sterile saline after the final antiseptic scrub.

A circulating nurse in the operating room observes a sterile-gowned surgeon lean against a non-sterile wall.Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action for the nurse to take?

A circulating nurse in the operating room observes a sterile-gowned surgeon lean against a non-sterile wall.
Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action for the nurse to take?