HW #1 & #2 (Modules 1-5)

Of the procedures listed below, which should be scheduled as the first of the day?

knee replacement

What does MDB stand for?

Minimum Database

What is the name of the most common surgical scrub pattern?

target pattern

Name two important pieces of information to obtain when collecting a patient history

Options:

• Signalent (breed)

• Presenting complaint

• Prior health problems

• Current medications

Surgical masks only need to cover the mouth (T/F)

False

Intraoperative vitals need to be recorded every _____ minutes

5 to 10

Chlorhexidine must be diluted 1:40 with sterile water prior to use.  This produces a _____ solution.  (Note: 1:40 dilution of the 2.0% concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate)

0.05%

Non-sterile personnel can do all of the following, except:

can walk between the patient and surgical field

Name an example of a surgical prep applicator

• gauze

• sponge

• cotton balls

• cotton-tipped

• spray bottle

List 2 pieces of moveable equipment that should be located in the surgery room

• anesthesia machine

• monitoring equipment (ECG, BP)

• ET tubes

• heating pads

• IV poles

• instrument table

• suction unit

• cautery unit

• Kick bucket

List two ways a patient's identity can be verified prior to undergoing a surgical procedure

• neck ID band

• collar

• cage card

• medical record

What is a disease called that occurs in both animals and humans and can be transmitted between species?

Zoonotic

Surgical foot covers should be changed if the person leaves the surgical area (T/F)

True

List 2 pieces of permanent equipment that should be located in the surgery room.

• surgery table

• surgery lights

• radiograph reader

What is a disease called that is of hospital origin?

Nosocomial infection

Disinfection is defined as:

The destruction of bacteria or inactivation of viruses

Only required surgical equipment should be kept in the surgery room (T/F)

True

The surgery room should be cleaned _____ and _____

daily & weekly

What is the type of normal organism that live in or on body surfaces of normal, healthy individuals without causing harm?

Commensal organism

List 5 examples of preoperative patient considerations.

• patient history

• physical exam

• consent form

• pre-anesthetic diagnostic tests

• preoperative medication

Sepsis is defined as:

infection

What clipper blade is most commonly used for surgical clipping?

#40

List the 5 types of microbes

• bacteria

• fungi

• algae

• protozoa

• viruses

Sterilization is defined as:

absence of all living microorganisms

Which of the following is the next step after the patient has been induced with anesthesia and the intended surgical site has been clipped and had an initial prep performed?

The patient is moved to the surgery room, positioned on and secured to the surgery table, and the final prep is performed

Asepsis is defined as:

absence of pathogenic microorganisms that cause infection

The minimum database for a young feline patient having elective surgery would most likely include which of the following diagnostic tests?

PCV/TS, BUN, BG, and ALT

The process of scrubbing and rinsing when surgically prepping a site should be done a minimum of _____ times?

3

What is the type of microbe that lives in or on the surface and can cause disease under the right conditions?

opportunistic organism

When removing sutures, the veterinary technician can use a pair of small bandage scissors and hemostats (T/F)

False

Describe the two components of the surgical scrub procedure and explain the purpose of each

Mechanical: removing bacteria and debris via friction
Chemical: inactivate or inhibit growth of microorganisms

List 2 duties of the circulating nurse

• prepare/setup the surgery room

• open peel-away pouches and wrapped packs

• open gloves and gowns

• runner for the surgical team

Which of the following is the surgical nurse responsible for?

passing sterile instruments

Penetrating towel clamps are used to secure ground drapes to patients (T/F)

True

Since surgical gowns cover the back of the body, they are considered sterile (T/F)

False

Managing (running) the instrument table involves all of the following duties EXCEPT:

pouring sterile lavage fluids into the surgical bowl

Only _____ sponges should be used in surgical situations

radiopaque

The surgical hand scrub is designed to make the skin sterile (T/F)

False

List the three methods of gloving

• open gloving

• closed gloving

• assisted gloving

The sterile field is defined as:

the personnel, surgery table, and patient areas that have been covered with a sterile barrier

When assisting the surgeon with tissue handling, it's important for the surgical nurse to keep the exposed tissue _____?

moist

Explain the concept of hemostasis and describe two effective methods used to achieve or control it during surgery

Hemostasis the bodies process of stoping bleeding. Two methods include electrocautery or radiopaque sponges

Prior to performing a surgical hand scrub, what surgical attire needs to be put on?

cap and mask

List 2 duties the surgical technician can perform

• maintain sterility

• manages (runs) the instrument table

• lavages surgical field with sterile saline

• instrument and gauze/sponge counts

• pass instruments

• retract & moisten tissue (tissue handling)

• maintain hemostasis

This term describes when liquids soak through a drape from a sterile area to an unsterile area (and vice versa).

Strike-through contamination

The safest way to pass a scalpel handle with a scalpel blade is by holding the handle upright, with the scalpel blade tip pointing up (T/F)

False

Explain why closed gloving is considered the gold standard and preferred method for the surgical team.

Closed gloving provides assurance against contamination because no bare skin is exposed in the process. 

List 2 things the circulating nurse has to confirm before they open sterile items for use in the sterile field.

• there's no tears/holes in the outer package

• the items have gone through proper sterilization (check sterile indicators)

• the seal of the package is secure and unbroken

• the package doesn't look worn from over-handling

• the expiration date

A sterile bowl (basin) should be filled with what temperature of sterile lavage fluid?

warm