NBSTSA Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instrument classification describes tools used to hold back tissues and organs to expose the surgical field?
- Retractors (Correct answer)
- Clamps
- Dilators
- Probes
Correct answer: Retractors
Retractors are specifically designed to hold back tissue and organs, improving visualization of the operative site.
Question 2: The Mayo scissors are best suited for which of the following tasks?
- Cutting delicate sutures near the skin surface
- Cutting heavy tissue and sutures (Correct answer)
- Dissecting fine peritoneal tissue
- Trimming wound edges during plastic surgery
Correct answer: Cutting heavy tissue and sutures
Mayo scissors are heavy-duty scissors designed for cutting tough tissue, fascia, and sutures, distinguishing them from the finer Metzenbaum scissors.
Question 3: A Kocher (Ochsner) clamp is characterized by which of the following features?
- Smooth jaws for atraumatic tissue handling
- Horizontal serrations only
- Teeth at the tip of the jaws (Correct answer)
- A ratchet-free locking mechanism
Correct answer: Teeth at the tip of the jaws
Kocher clamps have interlocking teeth at the tip, providing a firm grip on tough tissue like fascia, though they are traumatic to delicate structures.
Question 4: Which needle holder is most commonly used for general surgery procedures?
- Castroviejo
- Crile-Wood (Correct answer)
- Webster
- Halsey
Correct answer: Crile-Wood
The Crile-Wood needle holder is the standard general-use needle holder found on most basic instrument sets in general surgery.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the Weitlaner retractor?
- Retracting the chest wall during thoracic surgery
- Self-retaining retraction of wound edges in smaller incisions (Correct answer)
- Retracting the liver during abdominal cases
- Providing deep pelvic exposure
Correct answer: Self-retaining retraction of wound edges in smaller incisions
The Weitlaner is a self-retaining retractor with sharp prongs that lock open to maintain wound edge retraction without requiring an assistant to hold it.
Question 6: Which type of forceps should be used when handling delicate tissue such as peritoneum or bowel?
- Russian forceps
- Allis forceps
- DeBakey forceps (Correct answer)
- Kocher forceps
Correct answer: DeBakey forceps
DeBakey forceps have fine, atraumatic serrations designed to grasp delicate tissue gently without causing crushing injury.
Question 7: The Bookwalter retractor system is best described as which type of retractor?
- A handheld deep retractor for abdominal use
- A self-retaining table-mounted ring retractor system (Correct answer)
- A costal margin retractor used in thoracotomy
- A pelvic floor retractor used in gynecology only
Correct answer: A self-retaining table-mounted ring retractor system
The Bookwalter is a self-retaining retractor that attaches to the OR table via a post, with a ring and interchangeable blades for maintaining exposure in abdominal cases.
NBSTSA Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 1
Which instrument classification describes tools used to hold back tissues and organs to expose the surgical field?