FREE NCCT Minor Surgical Procedures and Sterile Technique Questions and Answers

Question 1

When setting up a sterile field, which of the following actions would contaminate it?

Accepted Answer

Reaching over the sterile field to place an instrument

Answer

Reaching over a sterile field violates sterile technique because dust, lint, or microbes from the non-sterile arm or clothing can fall onto the field and contaminate it. One must always maintain a safe margin and go around the sterile field, never over it.

Question 2

What is the primary goal of a surgical hand scrub?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the number of resident and transient microorganisms to a minimum

Answer

It is impossible to completely sterilize skin. The purpose of a surgical hand scrub is to remove debris and transient microorganisms and significantly reduce the resident microbial count to an irreducible minimum, preventing the introduction of pathogens into a surgical site.

Question 3

Which instrument is designed for grasping tissue or holding a suture needle?

Accepted Answer

Forceps

Answer

Forceps are instruments used for grasping, holding, or manipulating tissues or objects like suture needles. There are many types, such as tissue forceps (with teeth) for grasping tissue and needle holders (a type of locking forceps) for holding suture needles.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the primary layer of a dressing, which is in direct contact with the wound?

Accepted Answer

To be non-adherent and prevent trauma to the wound upon removal

Answer

The primary dressing layer is placed directly on the wound bed. Its main purpose is to create a healing environment and be non-adherent, which prevents it from sticking to the wound and causing injury to new tissue when the dressing is changed.

Question 5

Which method of sterilization is most commonly used in the medical office for heat-stable surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Steam sterilization (autoclave)

Answer

An autoclave uses steam under pressure to achieve high temperatures (typically 121°C or 250°F), which is a highly effective, reliable, and fast method for sterilizing metal instruments and other heat-stable items. It is the standard method used in most clinical settings.

NCCT - National Center for Competency Testing Practice Test

NCCT - National Center for Competency Testing Practice Test

FREE NCCT Minor Surgical Procedures and Sterile Technique Questions and Answers