VTNE Surgical Nursing Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

What are the standard time, temperature, and pressure settings for sterilizing most routine surgical packs in a gravity-displacement steam autoclave?

Accepted Answer

15 minutes at 121°C (250°F) and 15 psi

Answer

The generally accepted standard for steam sterilization in a gravity-displacement autoclave is exposure to 121°C (250°F) at a pressure of 15 psi for a minimum of 13-15 minutes. The 5-minute cycle is typically reserved for "flash" sterilization of unwrapped instruments in a pre-vacuum sterilizer.

Question 2

A 4-year-old Golden Retriever is scheduled for a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on its right hind limb. When preparing the surgical site, what is the most appropriate area to clip and aseptically prepare?

Accepted Answer

A full circumferential clip from the level of the hip to the tarsus.

Answer

Orthopedic procedures like a TPLO require a very large and wide sterile field to allow for manipulation of the limb during surgery and to minimize the risk of contamination. The standard practice is to perform a full circumferential clip from the joint above (hip/coxofemoral joint) to the joint below (hock/tarsus).

Question 3

During an ovariohysterectomy, the surgeon needs to securely clamp the ovarian pedicle, which contains blood vessels and tissue. Which of the following hemostatic forceps is specifically designed for this purpose with longitudinal serrations and a cross-hatched tip?

Accepted Answer

Rochester-Carmalt forceps

Answer

Rochester-Carmalt forceps are large, crushing hemostats characterized by longitudinal serrations along the jaw and cross-hatching at the tip. This design allows them to securely grasp and crush large tissue bundles, such as an ovarian pedicle or uterine stump, preventing slippage while minimizing tissue cutting.

Question 4

A surgeon requests a non-absorbable, monofilament suture for skin closure on a cat, which will need to be removed in 10-14 days. Which of the following suture materials best fits this description?

Accepted Answer

Nylon (e.g., Ethilon)

Answer

Nylon is a synthetic, non-absorbable monofilament suture commonly used for skin closure that requires later removal. Polyglactin 910 and Polydioxanone are both absorbable synthetic sutures, and Surgical Gut is an absorbable natural suture.

Question 5

During an abdominal exploratory, a non-scrubbed circulating nurse accidentally leans over the sterile instrument table, and their arm makes brief contact with a sterile drape covering a section of unused instruments. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the surgeon and cover the contaminated drape and instruments with another sterile drape.

Answer

Any contact between a non-sterile object and a sterile field results in contamination. The correct protocol is to acknowledge the break in asepsis immediately and isolate the contaminated area by covering it with another sterile barrier, thereby preserving the sterility of the rest of the field. Ignoring it is a major breach, and replacing the entire setup is often unnecessary and inefficient if the contamination is localized.

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE Surgical Nursing Procedures Questions and Answers