COT Surgical Assisting Procedures 4

Question 1

Which parameter does the technician monitor on the phacoemulsification machine to prevent thermal wound burns during cataract surgery?

Accepted Answer

Irrigation flow rate and aspiration vacuum

Answer

Adequate irrigation flow must always exceed aspiration to cool the phaco tip and prevent frictional heat from burning the corneal incision.

Question 2

When preparing a toric IOL for implantation, why must the surgeon mark the axis on the cornea preoperatively?

Accepted Answer

To align the toric lens to the correct meridian for astigmatism correction

Answer

Toric IOLs correct astigmatism only when their cylinder axis aligns with the steep corneal meridian, requiring accurate preoperative ink marking.

Question 3

The technician notices the surgeon is using a 23-gauge trocar for a small-gauge vitrectomy. What advantage does this instrument size offer over 20-gauge systems?

Accepted Answer

Sutureless self-sealing sclerotomies and reduced surgical trauma

Answer

Small-gauge (23/25-gauge) systems create self-sealing wounds that typically do not require suture closure, reducing operative time and postoperative inflammation.

Question 4

During enucleation surgery, an orbital implant is placed after globe removal. The technician should prepare which material most commonly used for modern orbital implants?

Accepted Answer

Porous polyethylene (Medpor) or hydroxyapatite

Answer

Porous polyethylene and hydroxyapatite are favored because fibrovascular ingrowth allows direct pegging and superior prosthetic motility.

Question 5

When assisting during a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), the technician should have silicone intubation tubes available for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

To stent the newly created nasolacrimal ostium and prevent closure

Answer

Silicone bicanalicular stents are passed through the new ostium into the nose to maintain patency while the mucosal anastomosis heals.

COT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician Practice Test

COT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician Practice Test

COT Surgical Assisting Procedures 4