Chapter 17: Minor Surgical Assisting in the Office

Question 1

Informed Consent

Answer 1

The process by which a patient receives information from the physician about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed procedure in order to decide whether or not have the procedure or treatment

Question 2

Preoperative Assessment

Answer 2

A brief assessment of the patient’s current and past medical history

Question 3

Anesthetic Agents

Answer 3

The most commonly used topical anesthetic agents are Proparacaine, Tetracaine, and Lidocaine
The most commonly used injectable anesthetic is Lidocaine

Question 4

Pledget

Answer 4

A small tuft of cotton or other absorbent material that may be soaked with a liquid medication for a more prolonged application time to the surface of the eye; often used with topical anesthetic agents to achieve optimal anesthetic prior to a minor surgical procedure

Question 4

Sutures

Answer 4

To stitch a wound closed; the pattern of the stitch; or the thread-like material used to make the stitch

Question 5

Absorbable Sutures

Answer 5

A form of suture that loses its tensile strength within 1-3 weeks, and is completed dissolved within 3 months

Question 6

Nonabsorbable Sutures

Answer 6

A form of suture that is not dissolvable and will remain within the body

Question 7

Forceps

Answer 7

A surgical instrument that is used to pick up tissue, tweezers or pincers

Question 8

Scissors

Answer 8

A surgical instrument, used for cutting tissues

Question 9

Needle Holders

Answer 9

A surgical instrument used to hold needles for suturing

Question 10

Clamps

Answer 10

A surgical instrument used to compress or crush tissue tissue, or temporarily hold surgical sutures or drapes

Question 11

Curettes

Answer 11

A scoop-shaped surgical tool used to scrape or remove unwanted tissue

Question 12

Hemostasis

Answer 12

To control bleeding

Question 13

Blade Handles and Blades

Answer 13

A surgical blade is used to make an incision in tissue, while the blade handle is used to hold the blade

Question 14

Lacrimal Set

Answer 14

A group of instruments for identifying and clearing an obstructed tear duct

Question 15

Punctal Dilator

Answer 15

Part of the lacrimal set that is used for enlarging the punctum

Question 16

Syringe

Answer 16

An instrument used for injecting liquid into, or withdrawing liquid from, a cavity or blood vessel

Question 17

Blunt Lacrimal Cannula

Answer 17

A tubular device used to pass into the tear system puncta and canaliculus

Question 18

Lacrimal Probes

Answer 18

A blunt instrument used for exploring and clearing an obstruction of the tear duct

Question 19

Cannula

Answer 19

A blunt-tipped tube used during surgery used for injecting or extracting fluid or air

Question 20

Epilation

Answer 20

To remove abnormally directed eyelashes that rub against the ocular surface

Question 21

Anterior Chamber Tap

Answer 21

To obtain a sample of the aqueous humor or to relieve elevated IOP

Question 22

Foreign Body Removal

Answer 22

To remove a foreign body from the cornea or conjunctiva

Question 23

Corneal Debridement

Answer 23

To remove the corneal epithelium in patients with a recurrent corneal erosion

Question 24

Nasal Lacrimal duct Probing and Irrigation

Answer 24

To open an obstructed nasal lacrimal duct

Question 25

Insertion of Punctal Plugs

Answer 25

To occlude 2 or more puncta in patients with symptomatic dry eye

Question 26

Chalazion Excisiion

Answer 26

To remove a chalazion from the eyelid

Question 27

Excision of Conjunctiva or Skin Lesions

Answer 27

To remove neoplasms (new growths) from the skin on or around the eyelids of from the conjunctiva

Question 28

Suture Removal

Answer 28

To remove sutures from the skin around the eye, or the eye

Question 29

Intravitreal Injection

Answer 29

To place needed medication into the vitreous

Question 30

Retinal Lasers

Answer 30

To seal retinal breaks or to treat swelling in the retina

Question 31

Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty and Selective Laser Trabeculostomy

Answer 31

To lower IOP by creating small burns in the trabecular meshwork that stretch the drainage holes in the meshwork, allowing aqueous humor to drain more easily

Question 31

Iridotomy

Answer 31

To lower IOP by creating a hole in the iris that allows fluid to drain out of the eye, or to prevent angle-closure glaucoma in patients with narrow angles

Question 32

Aseptic Technique

Answer 32

Encompasses all techniques involved in maintaining a sterile environment:
1) Using sterile instruments and supplies
2) Preparing the surgical site with germicide solutions while wearing sterile gloves
3) Performing a surgical scrub of your hands prior to putting on sterile gloves/gown
4) Handling all sterile equipment in a manner to maintain sterility

Question 33

Sterile Operating Field

Question 34

Surgical Site Preparation

Answer 34

1) Scrub in concentric circles, starting at the center of the surgical site
2) Never go back towards the center of the surgical site
3) Avoid using Chlorhexidine for the face
4) Avoid splashing scrub solution into the patient’s eye

Question 35

Sterile Drapes