General Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real CSFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 General Practice flashcards as text
When performing blunt dissection in the retroperitoneal space, the surgical first assistant must avoid injury to the ureter, which can be identified by its characteristic:
Answer: Peristaltic movement when stimulated
The ureter can be identified intraoperatively by its peristaltic worm-like movement when gently stimulated, distinguishing it from surrounding vessels and lymphatics.
A patient is positioned in the lithotomy position for a prolonged pelvic procedure. The surgical first assistant should be aware that this position carries a risk of:
Answer: Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities
Prolonged lithotomy position can compress the calf compartments in stirrups, reducing perfusion and leading to lower extremity compartment syndrome, particularly in surgeries exceeding two hours.
During an open cholecystectomy, the surgical first assistant must identify Calot's triangle. Which THREE structures define this anatomical triangle?
Answer: Common hepatic duct, liver edge, and cystic duct
Calot's triangle is bounded by the cystic duct inferiorly, the common hepatic duct medially, and the inferior edge of the liver superiorly, with the cystic artery coursing within it.
The surgical first assistant is asked to assist with hemostasis using a harmonic scalpel. This device achieves coagulation through which mechanism?
Answer: Ultrasonic vibration causing protein denaturation
The harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic vibrations at 55,500 Hz to denature proteins, coagulate vessels, and cut tissue simultaneously without passing electrical current through the patient.
Which suture material is MOST appropriate for closing a contaminated abdominal fascia when delayed healing is expected?
Answer: Polypropylene (Prolene)
Polypropylene is a non-absorbable, monofilament suture that maintains its tensile strength indefinitely and is resistant to bacterial colonization, making it suitable for contaminated fields.
During a bowel resection, the surgical first assistant uses a linear stapler. The color-coded staple cartridge used for thick tissue such as bowel is MOST likely:
Answer: Green (4.8 mm staples)
Green cartridges contain 4.8 mm staples designed for thick tissue such as bowel and lung parenchyma, providing adequate compression without tissue necrosis.
When managing a patient on the OR table who is in the Trendelenburg position, which physiological change should the surgical first assistant anticipate?
Answer: Increased venous return to the heart
Trendelenburg (head-down) position causes blood to pool toward the thorax, increasing venous preload and cardiac output, but also increases intracranial pressure and can impair ventilation.