CFA Hemostasis & Suture Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which electrosurgical mode uses a continuous waveform to cut tissue with minimal hemostasis?
- Coagulation mode
- Blend mode
- Cut mode (Correct answer)
- Fulguration mode
Correct answer: Cut mode
Cut mode uses a continuous waveform that rapidly heats tissue to vaporize cells, producing cutting with minimal coagulation effect.
Question 2: A surgeon requests 3-0 Vicryl for a subcutaneous closure. What type of suture material is Vicryl?
- Permanent monofilament
- Absorbable braided synthetic (Correct answer)
- Non-absorbable braided synthetic
- Absorbable natural monofilament
Correct answer: Absorbable braided synthetic
Vicryl (polyglactin 910) is an absorbable braided synthetic suture that loses tensile strength over approximately 3–4 weeks.
Question 3: When applying a hemostat to a bleeding vessel, the tip of the instrument should be directed:
- Away from the vessel to avoid slippage
- Parallel to the vessel, grasping only the vessel wall (Correct answer)
- Across the vessel perpendicular to its axis
- At a 45-degree angle to include surrounding tissue
Correct answer: Parallel to the vessel, grasping only the vessel wall
The hemostat tip should be parallel to the vessel, grasping only the vessel wall to avoid inadvertently clamping adjacent structures.
Question 4: Bone wax is primarily used to achieve hemostasis by which mechanism?
- Chemical activation of the clotting cascade
- Physical tamponade of bleeding bone channels (Correct answer)
- Vasoconstriction of nutrient arteries
- Absorption of fibrinogen from bone marrow
Correct answer: Physical tamponade of bleeding bone channels
Bone wax mechanically occludes the haversian canals and cancellous spaces of bleeding bone, acting as a physical tamponade agent.
Question 5: Which suture needle type is preferred for anastomosis of delicate vascular structures?
- Tapered (round body) (Correct answer)
- Cutting
- Reverse cutting
- Blunt
Correct answer: Tapered (round body)
Tapered (round body) needles push tissue aside without cutting, reducing the risk of vessel wall tears during vascular anastomosis.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a figure-of-eight suture in hemostasis?
- To close skin in a cosmetically superior manner
- To ligate and compress a deeper bleeding point beneath the suture (Correct answer)
- To approximate fascial layers without dead space
- To provide rapid closure under high tension
Correct answer: To ligate and compress a deeper bleeding point beneath the suture
A figure-of-eight suture encircles and compresses a deep bleeding point, achieving hemostasis without the need for a separate tie.
Question 7: Thrombin-based hemostatic agents work by:
- Crosslinking fibrin directly without other clotting factors (Correct answer)
- Activating platelets via ADP release
- Absorbing blood and swelling to create pressure
- Constricting smooth muscle in arteriolar walls
Correct answer: Crosslinking fibrin directly without other clotting factors
Topical thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin directly, bypassing the clotting cascade and forming a clot at the application site.
CFA Hemostasis & Suture Techniques 2
Which electrosurgical mode uses a continuous waveform to cut tissue with minimal hemostasis?