Practice Test GeeksCOT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician Practice Test
← All COT Flashcard Decks

Surgical Assisting Procedures Flashcards

7 cards from real COT 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 Assisting Procedures flashcards as text

  1. In the sterile surgical field, if the ophthalmic technician suspects an instrument has been contaminated, what is the correct action?

    Answer: Remove it from the field and replace it with a sterile instrument

    Any instrument suspected of contamination must be removed immediately and replaced to maintain sterile field integrity and prevent infection.

  2. Which viscoelastic agent is classified as a cohesive OVD and is preferred for maintaining anterior chamber space during IOL implantation?

    Answer: Healon (sodium hyaluronate)

    Healon is a cohesive OVD that forms a single mass, making it easy to maintain space and to remove completely after IOL placement.

  3. During a vitrectomy procedure, the technician must ensure the infusion line is connected before the surgeon begins. What is the primary reason for this safety step?

    Answer: To maintain intraocular pressure and prevent globe collapse

    The infusion line replaces vitreous volume as it is removed, maintaining IOP and preventing hypotony and retinal detachment.

  4. What is the purpose of performing a Seidel test intraoperatively after corneal wound closure?

    Answer: To detect aqueous humor leakage through the wound

    The Seidel test uses fluorescein dye to identify aqueous leakage; a streaming green fluorescence indicates a wound leak requiring additional sutures.

  5. When assisting during LASIK, which instrument is used to create the corneal flap in a microkeratome-based procedure?

    Answer: Microkeratome with oscillating blade

    In traditional LASIK, a microkeratome with an oscillating metal blade creates the hinged corneal flap prior to excimer laser stromal ablation.

  6. A patient is scheduled for Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. The surgical technician should prepare which type of suture to secure the plate to the sclera?

    Answer: 9-0 nylon or 9-0 polypropylene

    9-0 nylon or polypropylene nonabsorbable sutures are used to anchor the glaucoma drainage device plate permanently to the sclera.

  7. During pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft, the technician should have bare sclera measurements ready because the graft must be:

    Answer: Sized to match the excised conjunctival defect

    The conjunctival autograft must precisely match the defect left after pterygium removal to ensure adequate coverage and reduce recurrence.