Chapter 40: Medical Assistant’s Role in Surgical Procedures

What is required for all surgical procedures?

Biopsy needle, syringe, and sponges

Hemostats, scissors, sponges, and suture material

Skin preparation and draping with a fenestrated drape

Kelly hemostats, scissors, dissector, skin hook, and disposable scalpel

Skin preparation and draping with a fenestrated drape

Which describes electrosurgery?

Consists of a miniature camera mounted on a flexible tube

Used to safely treat specific tissue with minimal damage to surrounding tissues

Uses high-frequency current to cut through tissue and coagulate blood vessels

Involves the use of an operating microscope to perform delicate surgical procedures

Uses high-frequency current to cut through tissue and coagulate blood vessels

Which are the typical uses of a laser surgery?

Select all that apply

Biopsy of tumors

Excision of lesions

Removal of warts or moles

Neurosurgical procedures

Cosmetic surgical procedures

Cauterization of blood vessels

Excision of lesions

Removal of warts or moles

Cosmetic surgical procedures

Cauterization of blood vessels

How should the MA pass instruments to the provider?

With a firm, purposeful motion

With the blade up and presented to the provider

With the tips of the instruments in the provider's palm or fingers

With an extended arm so the provider has to reach for the instrument

With a firm, purposeful motion

What are the basic methods of closure at the completion of a surgical procedure?

Select all that apply

Mattress suture

Interrupted suture

Purse string suture

Far and near suture

Continuous locking suture

Continuous running suture

Interrupted suture

Continuous running suture

What is the most appropriate time to educate a patient regarding aseptic techniques to be used at home?

As soon as possible after the procedure

While you are performing an aseptic procedure

Immediately prior to the patient leaving the facility

While washing your hands after performing an aseptic technique

While you are performing an aseptic procedure

When educating a postoperative patient, the MA tells the patient to call the office immediately if the signs of infection are observed, which include:

Select all that apply

Fever

Swelling

Bleeding around the wound

Surgical dressing needs changing

Redness around the operative site

Tenderness around the operative site

Fever

Swelling

Bleeding around the wound

Redness around the operative site

Which specialty often uses microsurgery?

Oncology

Endocrinology

Cardiovascular

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology

Which organs are explored using endoscopic procedures?

Select all that apply

Liver

Heart

Colon

Uterus

Abdomen

Urinary bladder

Colon

Uterus

Abdomen

Urinary bladder

What is cryosurgery?

The use of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

The use of an operating microscope to perform delicate surgical procedures

The use of a very low-temperature probe to destroy tissue by freezing it on contact

The use of a small probe with an electric current running through it to cauterize the tissue

The use of a very low-temperature probe to destroy tissue by freezing it on contact

What is cryosurgery used to treat?

Diseases of the retina

Laryngologic conditions

Ophthalmologic conditions

Cancers of the skin and warts

Cancers of the skin and warts

Identify the correct order of the steps for assisting a physician during a minor surgical procedure.

1. Withdraw local anesthetic into a syringe and hand it to the physician.

2. Retract tissue from an area to allow the physician the best access and visibility of the operative site.

3. Uncover the sterile tray setup by picking up the sterile towel covering it.

4. Hold the specimen container to accept a tissue specimen received from the physician.

5. Hold a basin in which the physician can deposit soiled instruments and supplies.

6. Sponge blood from the operative site.

3,1,5,2,6,4

Which actions describe the setup of a sterile tray?

Select all that apply

Using prepackaged sterile setups wrapped in disposable paper or muslin

Using sterile gloves to place the decontaminated items on the sterile tray

Taking all necessary items directly from the autoclave and placing them on the tray

Taking all necessary items directly from the antiseptic solution and placing them on the tray

Placing all articles on the sterile field by flipping them onto the sterile field from peel-apart packages

Taking sterile setups out of the muslin wrappers, rinsing them with sterile water and placing them on the tray

Using prepackaged sterile setups wrapped in disposable paper or muslin

Placing all articles on the sterile field by flipping them onto the sterile field from peel-apart packages

What steps must be taken to assist a physician with a surgical procedure?

Select all that apply

Preparing the room

Positioning the patient

Using sterile technique

Preparing the patient's skin

Obtaining informed consent

Ordering of pre-surgical blood work

Preparing the room

Positioning the patient

Using sterile technique

Preparing the patient's skin

What must the MA do prior to assisting in a minor surgical procedure?

Select all that apply

Review the procedure.

Ensure surgical asepsis.

Note the materials needed.

Study the provider's care preferences.

Drape the patient with towels or fenestrated drapes.

Hold a vial of local anesthetic so that the provider can read the label.

Review the procedure.

Ensure surgical asepsis.

Note the materials needed.

Study the provider's care preferences.

When discussing aftercare with a patient, how can the MA define postoperative care?

Care that extends for the total recovery period

Care that is performed until the patient gets home

Care that is performed until the patient's follow-up appointment

Care that is performed immediately before the patient leaves the office

Care that extends for the total recovery period

When providing patient education, what does the MA tell the patient to do about the bandage covering the wound site?

Keep the bandage clean and dry.

Change the bandage every hour.

Remove the bandage while bathing.

Leave the bandage on until fully saturated.

Keep the bandage clean and dry.

What kinds of postoperative instructions may be given to patients after a minor surgical procedure?

Select all that apply

Elevate your arm.

Exercise more often.

Eat a well-balanced diet.

Attempt to reduce stress.

Return to school or work in 7 days.

Take Tylenol every 4 hours for pain, as needed.

Elevate your arm.

Return to school or work in 7 days.

Take Tylenol every 4 hours for pain, as needed.

How should the MA teach the patient about postoperative care following a minor surgical procedure?

Give the patient written instructions.

Explain postoperative instructions to the patient's family members.

Patients should be given instructions verbally after the anesthetic has worn off.

Tell the patient about postoperative care immediately following the procedure.

Give the patient written instructions.