Chapter 12: Surgical Instruments & Materials

Question 1

True or False

Ultrasonic cleaning sterilizes surgical instruments

Answer 1

False

DOES NOT sterilize; it removes debris fro instruments

Question 2

True or False

Dirt, blood, and other gross contaminants reduce the effectiveness of sterilization

Answer 2

True

Question 3

True or False
Ethylene oxide gas is effective at sterilizing most surgical items, particularly those sensitive to high heat or humidity. However, caution must be used because gas is toxic.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or False

Numbers 1 to 6 denote progressively longer sutures

Answer 4

False

1 - 6 denote progressively thicker sutures

Question 5

What are hemostatic forceps (hemostats) used for?

Answer 5

To clamp onto bleeding tissue containing a severed vessel

Question 6

What are the most common needle tip types?

Answer 6

Tapered, conventional cutting, reverse cutting, taper cutting

Question 7

What is the proper way to load and remove a scalpel blade?

Answer 7

With a Kelly hemostat

Question 8

How are scissors classified?

Answer 8

By blade tips: blunt-blunt; blunt-sharp; sharp-sharp

Question 9

Describe the difference between a monofilament and a multifilament suture material.

Answer 9

Monofilament is a single untwisted fiber

Multifilament consists of multiple fibers twisted together into a thread

Question 10

What should you look for when you check function in a surgical instrument?

Answer 10

1- fit of instruments jaws and teeth
2- no cracks in box locks and hinges
3- smooth operation of hinges and ratchets
4- ratchets should hold position at each ratchet tooth and not spring open on their own

Question 11

What are the characteristics of instruments and devices that typically undergo cold sterilization?

Answer 11

Heat-sensitive but can be immersed in liquid