Free VTNE Surgical Nursing Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A veterinary technician is preparing a surgical pack for autoclaving. Which of the following is an essential step to ensure effective steam sterilization?
- Placing a sterile indicator strip deep inside the most densely packed area. (Correct answer)
- Tightly sealing the pack with non-porous tape to prevent contamination.
- Using a plastic container to hold the instruments within the wrap.
- Leaving the box locks on all hinged instruments in the closed and locked position.
Correct answer: Placing a sterile indicator strip deep inside the most densely packed area.
A sterile indicator strip must be placed in the center or most challenging part of the pack to verify that steam has penetrated and achieved the necessary conditions for sterilization. Tightly sealing with non-porous tape would prevent steam penetration. Plastic containers are generally not used as they can melt or prevent steam contact. Box locks on instruments must be left open to allow steam to contact all surfaces.
Question 2: During an abdominal exploratory surgery on a 6-year-old Golden Retriever, the patient's end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) level sharply increases from 40 mm Hg to 65 mm Hg. The patient's other vital signs remain stable. What is the most likely cause of this change?
- The patient is becoming too light under anesthesia.
- The endotracheal tube is obstructed.
- The patient is hypoventilating. (Correct answer)
- There is a sudden drop in cardiac output.
Correct answer: The patient is hypoventilating.
An elevated ETCO2, or hypercapnia, is a primary indicator of hypoventilation, meaning the patient is not eliminating carbon dioxide effectively. If the patient were too light, you would likely see an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. An obstructed endotracheal tube would likely cause a drop in ETCO2 or an abnormal waveform. A drop in cardiac output would typically lead to a decrease in ETCO2.
Question 3: Which of the following suture materials is a synthetic absorbable monofilament, often chosen for closing the urinary bladder because it maintains good tensile strength and causes minimal tissue reaction?
- Silk
- Polydioxanone (PDS) (Correct answer)
- Chromic Gut
- Stainless Steel
Correct answer: Polydioxanone (PDS)
Polydioxanone (PDS) is a synthetic, absorbable monofilament suture known for its extended tensile strength retention and minimal tissue reactivity, making it an excellent choice for slow-healing tissues like the urinary bladder. Silk is a natural, non-absorbable braided suture. Chromic gut is a natural, absorbable suture but can cause more tissue reaction and is absorbed more quickly and unpredictably. Stainless steel is non-absorbable.
Question 4: A 2-year-old cat is recovering from an ovariohysterectomy. The owner calls the clinic 24 hours post-operatively, concerned that the cat is very quiet and has not eaten. The technician's most appropriate advice is to:
- Advise the owner to force-feed the cat a small amount of food.
- Tell the owner this is a sign of a serious complication and to come in immediately.
- Reassure the owner that mild lethargy and a decreased appetite are normal for the first 24-48 hours and to continue monitoring. (Correct answer)
- Suggest administering an over-the-counter pain medication to stimulate appetite.
Correct answer: Reassure the owner that mild lethargy and a decreased appetite are normal for the first 24-48 hours and to continue monitoring.
It is common for pets to be lethargic, quiet, and have a reduced appetite for the first 24-48 hours following surgery and anesthesia. Reassuring the client and advising continued monitoring is the best initial step. Force-feeding can cause aspiration or food aversion. While complications are possible, this scenario is not immediately indicative of a serious problem requiring an emergency visit. Technicians should never advise over-the-counter medications without veterinary approval.
Question 5: When performing a surgical hand scrub, the technician should scrub their hands and arms in a way that ensures:
- Water runs from the fingertips down to the elbows. (Correct answer)
- The hands are held below the level of the elbows at all times.
- A non-antiseptic soap is used to preserve normal skin flora.
- The fingers and hands are scrubbed last, after the forearms.
Correct answer: Water runs from the fingertips down to the elbows.
During a surgical scrub, hands must be held higher than the elbows to allow water to flow from the cleanest area (the fingertips) down towards the less clean area (the elbows), preventing contamination of the hands. An antiseptic agent should be used, and the scrubbing process should proceed from the fingertips down to the forearms.
Question 6: Which of the following instruments would be classified as a self-retaining retractor, commonly used to hold abdominal wall incisions open during a laparotomy?
- Senn Retractor
- Army-Navy Retractor
- Balfour Retractor (Correct answer)
- Hohmann Retractor
Correct answer: Balfour Retractor
The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining instrument with blades and a frame that holds the abdominal incision open, freeing the surgeon's and assistant's hands. Senn, Army-Navy, and Hohmann retractors are all hand-held retractors that require a person to physically hold them in place.
Free VTNE Surgical Nursing Questions and Answers
A veterinary technician is preparing a surgical pack for autoclaving.
Which of the following is an essential step to ensure effective steam sterilization?