CVA Surgical and Exam Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'aseptic technique' mean in the context of surgical preparation?
- Using only disposable instruments
- Preventing introduction of pathogenic microorganisms to the surgical field (Correct answer)
- Sterilizing instruments with heat only
- Applying antiseptic only to the patient's skin
Correct answer: Preventing introduction of pathogenic microorganisms to the surgical field
Aseptic technique encompasses all practices designed to prevent microbial contamination of the sterile surgical field.
Question 2: A cat presents for a dental extraction. Which vital sign change during anesthesia would be most concerning?
- Heart rate increasing from 120 to 130 bpm
- Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
- SpO2 dropping from 98% to 89% (Correct answer)
- Temperature decreasing by 0.5°F
Correct answer: SpO2 dropping from 98% to 89%
An SpO2 drop to 89% indicates significant hypoxemia and requires immediate intervention.
Question 3: Which instrument is used to cut suture during surgery?
- Metzenbaum scissors
- Mayo scissors (Correct answer)
- Operating scissors
- Iris scissors
Correct answer: Mayo scissors
Mayo scissors have heavy, blunt blades suited for cutting suture and tough tissue, while Metzenbaum scissors are for delicate dissection.
Question 4: When is it appropriate to break sterile technique during a surgical procedure?
- Never — sterile technique must be maintained at all times (Correct answer)
- When the surgeon requests a non-sterile instrument
- When the procedure is almost finished
- When the patient moves unexpectedly
Correct answer: Never — sterile technique must be maintained at all times
Sterile technique must never be intentionally broken; any breach requires recognition, correction, and reporting immediately.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the order of the standard surgical scrub prep using chlorhexidine?
- Scrub, rinse with saline, dry, apply alcohol, apply chlorhexidine solution (Correct answer)
- Apply alcohol, scrub, rinse, dry, apply chlorhexidine
- Dry wipe, apply chlorhexidine solution three times without rinsing
- Rinse with water, apply chlorhexidine, scrub, rinse with alcohol
Correct answer: Scrub, rinse with saline, dry, apply alcohol, apply chlorhexidine solution
The alternating scrub method uses chlorhexidine scrub followed by saline rinse repeated three times, then a final antiseptic solution.
Question 6: During a post-operative check, you notice the patient's surgical incision has green discharge and a foul odor. What should you do?
- Clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide and bandage it
- Document and immediately notify the veterinarian (Correct answer)
- Apply antibiotic ointment and monitor
- Assume it is normal drainage and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Document and immediately notify the veterinarian
Green, malodorous discharge indicates infection and must be reported to the veterinarian promptly for evaluation and treatment.
Question 7: What is the primary reason the veterinary assistant must count sponges and instruments before and after surgery?
- To prepare an accurate invoice for the client
- To verify sterile packaging was not compromised
- To prevent foreign body retention inside the patient (Correct answer)
- To comply with OSHA regulations
Correct answer: To prevent foreign body retention inside the patient
Instrument and sponge counts are a critical safety protocol to ensure nothing is accidentally left inside the patient's body cavity.
CVA Surgical and Exam Procedures 5
What does the term 'aseptic technique' mean in the context of surgical preparation?