OSCE Procedural Skills 3

Question 1

During an arterial blood gas (ABG) collection from the radial artery, which test should be performed first to confirm adequacy of collateral circulation?

Accepted Answer

Allen's test

Answer

Allen's test assesses collateral ulnar circulation to the hand before radial artery puncture to reduce ischemia risk.

Question 2

A patient needs a wound suture. Which suture technique produces the least scarring in a cosmetically sensitive area?

Accepted Answer

Subcuticular (intradermal) continuous suture

Answer

Subcuticular sutures lie beneath the epidermis, avoiding percutaneous needle marks and resulting in finer scars.

Question 3

When performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an adult, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?

Accepted Answer

30:2

Answer

Current AHA/ERC guidelines specify 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for single-rescuer adult CPR.

Question 4

During chest drain insertion for a pneumothorax, at what triangle of safety should the drain be inserted?

Accepted Answer

Lateral border of pectoralis major, 5th ICS, anterior axillary line forming the triangle of safety

Answer

The triangle of safety is bounded by the lateral border of pectoralis major, lateral border of latissimus dorsi, and a line at the 5th ICS, minimizing neurovascular injury.

Question 5

A patient requires a knee joint aspiration. With the patient supine and knee extended, what is the preferred approach?

Accepted Answer

Medial or lateral to the superior pole of the patella

Answer

The superolateral or superomedial approach, at the superior pole of the patella, accesses the suprapatellar pouch where fluid accumulates.

OSCE Practice Test

OSCE Practice Test

OSCE Procedural Skills 3