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Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment Flashcards

7 cards from real NBSTSA 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 Instrumentation & Equipment flashcards as text

  1. Which type of needle holder is specifically designed to prevent suture damage when working with delicate, fine suture material?

    Answer: Castroviejo needle holder

    The Castroviejo needle holder has fine, smooth jaws designed for ophthalmic and microsurgical procedures where delicate suture material must not be damaged.

  2. A Weitlaner retractor is classified as what type of retractor?

    Answer: Self-retaining retractor

    The Weitlaner is a self-retaining retractor with sharp or blunt prongs that lock open to maintain tissue retraction without requiring a hand to hold it.

  3. When passing a scalpel to the surgeon during a procedure, the correct technique is to:

    Answer: Pass it blade-down in a kidney basin

    The safest method is the neutral zone or hands-free technique—placing the scalpel in a basin or designated area rather than hand-to-hand transfer to prevent sharps injury.

  4. A Bookwalter retractor system is most commonly used for which type of surgery?

    Answer: Abdominal and pelvic surgery

    The Bookwalter is a table-mounted, self-retaining ring retractor system designed to provide wide exposure during open abdominal and pelvic procedures.

  5. Which instrument is used to crush and occlude the cystic duct before it is ligated and divided during an open cholecystectomy?

    Answer: Mixter right-angle clamp

    A Mixter (right-angle) clamp is passed around the cystic duct to encircle it, allowing a tie or clip to be placed before transection.

  6. The Kerrison rongeur is most frequently used in which surgical specialty?

    Answer: Neurosurgery and spine surgery

    The Kerrison rongeur is used in neurosurgery and spinal procedures to remove small pieces of bone and ligament, such as during laminectomy.

  7. During a laparoscopic procedure, a 10 mm port becomes contaminated. The scrub tech should:

    Answer: Replace with a new sterile port and re-establish pneumoperitoneum

    Any contaminated instrument or device must be removed from the sterile field and replaced with a sterile equivalent to maintain aseptic technique.

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