Surgical Nursing

Question 1

True or false, enucleation is a surgical option for the correction of proptosis of the globe.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

True or false, collapsing trachea is treated both medically and surgically.

Answer 2

True - Medical options include antitussives, bronchodilators, and steroids. Surgical correction involves creating and implanting custom prosthetic tracheal rings

Question 3

Give a description for the term uroabdomen.

Answer 3

Accumulation of urine in the peritoneal and/or retroperitoneal spaces

Question 4

Define the term stenosis.

Answer 4

Narrowing of a passage in the body

Question 5

What is a Weitlaner retractor?

Answer 5

A self-retaining retractor with blunt raked tips that rachet to hold tissue apart.

Question 6

Which one of the following blades fits the #4 scalpel handle: #10, #11, #15, or #22?

Answer 6

22 - The only blades that fit the #4 scalpel handle are #20, #21. and #22. The #4 scalpel handle is most commonly used in large animal surgical procedures.

Question 7

What is the most commonly used scalpel blade in small animal surgery: #10, #15, #20, or #22?

Answer 7

10 - The correct answer is the #10 blade with the #3 handle.

Question 8

Which of the following is dangerous for post-operative patients: Lipoma, Seroma, Drainage, or Dehiscence?

Answer 8

Dehiscence - Dehiscence is the reopening of a surgical incision, which could lead to severe infection or tissue damage.

Question 9

What is the main reason for the use of the aseptic technique in most surgeries?

Answer 9

To prevent the entrance of microbes into the body

Question 10

True or false, in order to maintain sterility after scrubbing in for a procedure, hands must be held above the elbows at all times?

Answer 10

True - Holding hands above the elbow level helps to avoid accidental contact with other people and objects.

Question 11

Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common congenital heart defect observed in dogs, and it requires surgical correction. What is patent ductus arteriosis?

Answer 11

Patent ductus arteriosis - Failed closure of a duct between the pulmonary artery and the aorta

Question 12

What is lavage?

Answer 12

Washing out of a body cavity with water or medicated solution.

Question 13

What happens to autoclave tape after a pack has been sterilized: White strips turn pink, white dots turn black, white strips turn black, or white dots turn blue?

Answer 13

White strips turn black - The autoclave tape has white indicator stripes that have been designed to turn black when the tape has reached a certain threshold for temperature and pressure.

Question 14

Which suture material has the least potential for adverse tissue reactivity: Silk, Cotton, Braided polypropylene, or Stainless steel?

Answer 14

Stainless steel wire used in surgical suturing has almost no potential for tissue reactions. Natural sutures are more likely to cause tissue reactions than synthetic or wire sutures.

Question 15

Which suture material has the most potential for adverse tissue reactivity: Silk, Polypropylene, Braided polyester, or Stainless steel?

Answer 15

Silk has the highest tissue reactivity of any available suture material. Natural sutures are more likely to cause tissue reactions than synthetic or wire sutures.

Question 16

What is hemothorax?

Answer 16

Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity

Question 17

Which of the following should occur as soon as possible after gastrointestinal surgery: Urinary catheterization, feeding, walking, or warming?

Answer 17

Feeding - because food is required for the gastrointestinal tract’s cellular health and proper function. Most animals can eat within 24 hours after gastrointestinal surgery.

Question 18

If you needed to cut bandages off of a canine patient, which type of scissors would you most likely use: Lister scissors, Mayo scissors, Carless scissors, or Metzenbaum scissors?

Answer 18

Lister scissors are generally used to cut bandages. The tip of the lower blade features a flattened blunt nodule intended to slide between bandages and skin without cutting the skin.

Carless scissors are used for cutting sutures, mayo scissors are used for routine dissections, and Metzenbaum scissors are used for delicate dissections.

Question 19

A foal is born with carpal valgus, which is the most common angular limb deformity. Carpal valgus is best described by which of the following: The limb distal to the carpus is laterally deviated; The limb distal to the fetlock is medially deviated; The limb distal to the carpus is medially deviated; or The limb distal to the fetlock is laterally deviated?

Answer 19

The limb distal to the carpus is laterally deviated - Carpal valgus is when the foal’s limb distal to the carpus is laterally deviated. An angular limb deformity occurs when a bone grows disproportionately on either side of the growth plate.

Question 20

Laminitis is a disease that generally only occurs in adult horses and its exact cause is unknown. What part of the horse’s body does laminitis directly affect: Feet, Bones, Joints, or Organs?

Answer 20

Feet - Laminitis is a disease that directly affects a horse’s feet. It is also known as founder. Laminitis can occur in only the front feet or in all four feet. Laminitis causes the sensitive laminae of the horse’s feet to become inflamed. This disease is serious and often life threatening.

Question 21

True or false, debridement is the procedure used in aural hematoma repair?

Answer 21

False - The procedure used in aural hematoma repair is called aspiration.

Question 22

Body wall herniation can occur in horses from blunt trauma such as a kick. If a horse has a large body wall defect, how should it be repaired: By reduction of hernial contents, Use of a mesh implant, It will close on it’s own, or By suturing the defect?

Answer 22

Use of a mesh implant - Large body wall hernias on horses should be repaired using a mesh implant. When the mesh implant is placed, it is critical that the aseptic technique is followed to prevent a residual incisional infection.

Question 23

An ovariectomy is sometimes performed on mares that have diseased ovaries. If a mare has enlarged diseased ovaries, they require removal through which of the following: An incision in the ventral body wall; An incision in the dorsal vulvar labia; An incision in the caudal ventral midline; or An incision in the vaginal wall?

Answer 23

An incision in the ventral body wall - The diseased ovaries could also be removed by an incision in the flank. Neoplasia is the most common cause of ovarian disease in mares.

Question 24

When hauling a horse with a limb injury, the trailer should be equipped with partitions to provide the horse with additional support. If the horse has a front limb injury, how should the horse be transported: With its head tied tightly toward the front of the trailer; With its head tied loosely toward the rear of the trailer; With its head tied tightly toward the rear of the trailer; or With its head tied loosely toward the front of the trailer?

Answer 24

With its head tied loosely toward the rear of the trailer - This allows the horse to use its healthy limbs to balance itself when the trailer brakes or stops. The head should be tied loosely to allow it to use its head and neck for balance.

Question 25

During arthroscopic surgery, a blunt probe is commonly used. What is the purpose of this: For advancing the arthroscopic cannula; For palpating intra-articular structures; For removing osteochondral fragments; or For debriding diseased cartilage?

Answer 25

For palpating intra-articular structures - Arthroscopic surgery is generally performed to treat joint disease.

Question 26

A veterinarian is treating a horse diagnosed with an advanced flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint. How will the veterinarian most likely treat this horse: Surgical transection of the inferior check ligament; Controlled exercise with application of splints; Corrective lower heel trimming with application of an extended toe show; or Performance of a superior or inferior check ligament desmotomy?

Answer 26

Surgical transection of the inferior check ligament - Flexural deformities cause the horse to have a clubfoot-shaped hoof.