Instruments and Materials

Question 1

Absorbable suture loses most of its tensile strength within 120 days of placement through either enzymatic digestion or tissue hydrolysis.

Answer 1

F

60 days, everything else is true

Question 2

Surgical gut is rapidly degraded in 14 days.

Answer 2

F

4-5 days

Question 3

Polydiaxone (PDS) is absorbed much faster than Dexon or Vicryl suture.

Answer 3

F

Much more slowly

Question 4

Skin hooks are less traumatic to the epidermis than forceps.

Answer 4

T

Question 5

The most common scalpel and blade system used in dermatological surgery is the Bard-Parker

Answer 5

T

Question 6

The iris scissor is sharp-tipped, short-handles and most often used for blunt or sharp dissection and cutting on the head and neck.

Answer 6

T

Question 7

Carbon steel blades will maintain their sharpness longer than stainless steel blades.

Answer 7

F

Stainless steel sharpness lasts longer

Question 8

The Metzenbaum scissor is long-handled and is ideal for blunt or sharp dissection in areas that require a long reach.

Answer 8

T

Question 9

Oils and grease can be used for lubricating instruments.

Answer 9

F

Harden during sterilisation

Question 10

Stainless steel blades are sharper than carbon steel blades.

Answer 10

F

Carbon steel sharper

Question 11

Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) is ideal for suturing cartilage because of its minimal tissue reactivity.

Answer 11

F

This is true for PDS

Question 12

Adson forceps have a relatively broad handle that tapers to a long, narrow tip.

Answer 12

T

They can be toothed or serrated

Question 13

Dull curettes create excessive tissue trauma and suboptimal outcome.

Answer 13

T

Question 14

The Beaver handle is the handle of choice for large excisions on thick skin.

Answer 14

F

Best for small delicate work.

Question 15

Scissors that are used for cutting tissue will dull much faster if used to cut sutures as well.

Answer 15

T

Question 16

The Gradle scissor is unique in that it operates on a spring system where the blades come together as the handle arc is squeezed.

Answer 16

F

This is true for the Westcott scissor

Question 17

Tensile strength is not analogous to suture strength.

Answer 17

F

Question 18

Suture strength is calculated by dividing the weight necessary to break the suture by its cross-sectional area.

Answer 18

T

Question 19

Serrated forceps allow a firm grasp of tissue with reduced crush injury.

Answer 19

F

This is true for toothed forceps

Question 20

Steam autoclaves do not affect the sharpness of instruments.

Answer 20

F

Can dull sharp instruments

Question 21

A chemical autoclave is similar to a steam autoclave, but uses formaldehyde and alcohol instead of distilled water.

Answer 21

T

Causes less dulling of instruments

Question 22

The Mayo scissor has an almost 1-to-1 handle to blade ratio and is used for coarse dissection.

Answer 22

T

Question 23

The disadvantages of surgical gut include poor tensile strength, high tissue reactivity and poor knot stability.

Answer 23

T

Question 24

Steam sterilisation is the most popular office method of sterilisation.

Answer 24

T

Question 25

The #10 blade is wide with a sharp, convex belly, making it ideal for large excisions on thick skin, such as the trunk.

Answer 25

T

Question 26

The #11 blade is tapered to a sharp point and used primarily for incision and drainage or for cutting sharp angles on flaps.

Answer 26

T

Question 27

Teflon coatings on scalpel blades reduce drag when cutting through tissue.

Answer 27

T

Question 28

The #15 blade is shaped like a smaller version of the #10 blade.

Answer 28

T

used most often in derm surg

Question 29

The Westcott scissor is similar to the iris scissor, except the blades are curved and tapered to a fine point tip.

Answer 29

F

This is true for the Gradle scissor

Question 30

Monofilament and synthetic sutures have less tissue reactivity than polyfilament and natural sutures.

Answer 30

T

Question 31

Haemostats are used for haemostasis of bleeding vessels.

Answer 31

T