NBSTSA Surgical Specimen Handling & Documentation

Question 1

When a surgical specimen is handed off the sterile field, what is the FIRST step the circulating nurse should take?

Accepted Answer

Label the specimen container with patient information before placing the specimen inside

Answer

Place the specimen in formalin immediately

Answer

Send the specimen to pathology via pneumatic tube

Answer

Photograph the specimen for the operative record

Question 2

An intraoperative frozen section is ordered during a mastectomy. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this test?

Accepted Answer

To provide a rapid intraoperative pathologic diagnosis that guides the ongoing procedure

Answer

To preserve the specimen for permanent pathology review

Answer

To sterilize the specimen before sending it to pathology

Answer

To document the specimen's gross appearance before fixation

Question 3

Which fixative is most commonly used to preserve surgical tissue specimens for routine permanent pathology?

Accepted Answer

10% neutral buffered formalin

Answer

Normal saline

Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Isopropyl alcohol

Question 4

When should a surgical specimen NOT be placed in formalin?

Accepted Answer

When a frozen section or microbiologic culture has been requested

Answer

When the specimen is a bone biopsy

Answer

When the specimen is obtained laparoscopically

Answer

When the specimen is larger than 5 centimeters

Question 5

Which of the following pieces of information is REQUIRED on a surgical specimen label?

Accepted Answer

Patient name, medical record number, specimen source/site, and surgeon's name

Answer

Patient's home address and insurance carrier

Answer

Anesthesia type used and total operative time

Answer

Patient's known allergies and current medication list

Question 6

During a sentinel lymph node biopsy, the surgeon uses a radioactive tracer and/or blue dye. Why must the scrub tech understand the specimen handling protocol for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

The radioactive node must be sent fresh (without formalin) to nuclear medicine, then to pathology for frozen section

Answer

The blue dye will permanently stain instruments and must be removed before sterilization

Answer

The patient must be placed in isolation postoperatively due to radiation exposure risk

Answer

The blue dye indicates the specimen requires permanent section only, not frozen section