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

10 minutes at 115°C (240°F) and 10 psi

Answer

20 minutes at 100°C (212°F) and 20 psi

Answer

5 minutes at 132°C (270°F) and 30 psi

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

A small square patch directly over the stifle joint.

Answer

From the mid-femur to the mid-tibia, clipping only the lateral aspect.

Answer

The area from the stifle to the foot, including the paw.

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

Halstead mosquito forceps

Answer

Kelly hemostatic forceps

Answer

Allis tissue forceps

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

Polyglactin 910 (e.g., Vicryl)

Answer

Polydioxanone (e.g., PDS)

Answer

Surgical Gut (Chromic)

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

Spray the area with sterile saline and continue the procedure.

Answer

Ignore the contact as it was brief and unlikely to cause contamination.

Answer

Remove all instruments from the table and replace them with a new sterile pack.

Question 6

A 2-year-old dog is presented for a 5-day post-operative recheck after a routine castration. The owner reports the dog has been excessively licking the incision. Which of the following clinical findings is the most definitive sign of surgical wound dehiscence?

Accepted Answer

Separation of the incision edges with subcutaneous tissue visible.

Answer

Moderate swelling and redness (erythema) around the incision line.

Answer

A small amount of dried serosanguinous discharge (crusting) on the sutures.

Answer

The dog showing signs of pain upon palpation of the surgical site.