VTNE Surgical Nursing Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended minimum number of days that surgical instruments should be kept dry after autoclaving before being considered sterile and ready for use in event-related sterility?
- Sterility is event-related, not time-related, so no minimum days apply (Correct answer)
- 7 days
- 30 days
- 1 day
Correct answer: Sterility is event-related, not time-related, so no minimum days apply
Modern sterility standards are event-related, meaning a package remains sterile until an event (damage, moisture, opening) compromises it.
Question 2: When preparing an abdominal surgical site on a dog, the prep should extend at minimum how far from the planned incision line in each direction?
- 1 cm
- 5 cm
- 10 cm (or to include a generous margin) (Correct answer)
- Only to the drape line
Correct answer: 10 cm (or to include a generous margin)
A minimum 10 cm margin (or a generous margin extending well beyond the incision) is recommended to maintain a sterile field if retraction is needed.
Question 3: Which type of wound healing occurs when wound edges are directly apposed and the wound closes with minimal scar formation?
- Second intention
- Third intention
- First intention (primary closure) (Correct answer)
- Granulation closure
Correct answer: First intention (primary closure)
First intention (primary closure) healing occurs when wound edges are sutured together directly, resulting in rapid healing with minimal scarring.
Question 4: A cat undergoing an exploratory laparotomy begins to develop pale mucous membranes and a rapid weak pulse intraoperatively. The FIRST action the veterinary technician should take is:
- Administer IV atropine
- Alert the surgeon and check for internal hemorrhage (Correct answer)
- Increase the anesthetic concentration
- Apply external warming
Correct answer: Alert the surgeon and check for internal hemorrhage
Pale mucous membranes and weak rapid pulse suggest hemorrhagic shock; the surgeon must be alerted immediately to identify and control bleeding.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the purpose of a surgical lavage during an abdominal procedure?
- To cool the abdominal organs during prolonged surgery
- To irrigate the abdominal cavity to dilute and remove contamination (Correct answer)
- To hydrate the patient intraoperatively
- To test for intestinal leaks post-anastomosis
Correct answer: To irrigate the abdominal cavity to dilute and remove contamination
Surgical lavage uses warm sterile saline to dilute bacteria and debris from the abdominal cavity, reducing the risk of septic peritonitis.
Question 6: Which suture material is most appropriate for a contaminated wound closure where extended tensile strength and low tissue reactivity are needed?
- Gut (chromic catgut)
- Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
- Poliglecaprone (Monocryl)
- Polydioxanone (PDS) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Polydioxanone (PDS)
Polydioxanone (PDS) is a monofilament absorbable suture with low tissue reactivity and prolonged tensile strength, making it suitable for contaminated environments.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a Penrose drain placed in a surgical wound?
- To provide structural support to the incision
- To allow passive drainage of fluid and exudate from a wound (Correct answer)
- To maintain suture tension
- To deliver local antibiotics into the wound
Correct answer: To allow passive drainage of fluid and exudate from a wound
A Penrose drain is a passive, open drain that allows fluid and exudate to exit a wound by capillary action and gravity.
VTNE Surgical Nursing Procedures 3
What is the recommended minimum number of days that surgical instruments should be kept dry after autoclaving before being considered sterile and ready for use in event-related sterility?