Question 1

Which scissors are designed for cutting heavy, tough tissue such as fascia?

Accepted Answer

Mayo scissors have heavy, thick blades designed for cutting tough tissue like fascia or muscle.  Metzenbaum scissors are lighter and used for delicate tissue dissection.

Question 2

Gold handles on a needle holder indicate that the jaws have:

Accepted Answer

Gold rings/handles signify that the working tip contains Tungsten Carbide inserts, which are harder and more durable than stainless steel.

Question 3

The primary difference between a Crile hemostat and a Kelly hemostat is:

Accepted Answer

A Crile hemostat has serrations along the *entire* length of the jaw. A Kelly hemostat has serrations only on the *distal half* of the jaw.

Question 4

Which of the following is a self-retaining retractor?

Accepted Answer

A Weitlaner retractor has a ratchet mechanism that holds the blades apart, allowing it to retain tissue without being held by hand. Army-Navy, Richardson, and Deaver are handheld.

Question 5

The weakest part of a hinged surgical instrument, and the most common place for cracks to form, is the:

Accepted Answer

The box lock (the hinge point) is the area of highest stress and is most prone to cracking. It must be inspected carefully during assembly.

Question 6

A technician observes a surgical instrument with black handles. This indicates the instrument is:

Accepted Answer

Black or ebonized coatings are used to reduce glare and reflection, preventing the laser beam from reflecting off the instrument and injuring tissues or staff.

Question 7

Which forceps are atraumatic and specifically designed for handling vascular tissue?

Accepted Answer

DeBakey forceps have distinct, fine serrations designed to grip delicate vascular tissue without causing trauma or puncturing it.

Question 8

A Frazier suction tip is typically used for:

Accepted Answer

Frazier suction tips are thin and angled, used for precise suctioning in small spaces like the nose, ear, or brain. They require a stylet for cleaning.

Question 9

Which lubricant is appropriate for surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Only water-soluble lubricants (instrument milk) should be used. Oil or petroleum bases interfere with steam sterilization and are difficult to remove.

Question 10

When testing the sharpness of Metzenbaum scissors (4.5 inches or longer), the technician should cut through:

Accepted Answer

Red testing material (latex) is used for standard scissors like Metzenbaum and Mayo. Yellow is for micro-scissors. Index cards are for bone cutters/rongeurs.

Question 11

A Gelpi retractor is distinct because of its:

Accepted Answer

The Gelpi is a self-retaining retractor with arms that curve outward, ending in a single sharp point on each side to grip tissue.

Question 12

Passivation is a chemical process applied during instrument manufacturing that:

Accepted Answer

Passivation treats the stainless steel with nitric acid to remove iron fines and build up a corrosion-resistant chromium oxide layer.

Question 13

Which instrument clamp has a single heavy tooth at the tip (1x2 teeth) designed to grasp heavy tissue or bone?

Accepted Answer

The Kocher (or Ochsner) is a strong, traumatic clamp with 1x2 teeth at the tip to securely grip tough tissue like fascia or bone.

Question 14

Laparoscopic insulation testing is performed to:

Accepted Answer

Defects in the insulation of electrosurgical instruments can allow electricity to arc to nearby organs, causing unseen internal burns. Testing is mandatory.

Question 15

A Kerrison Rongeur is used for:

Accepted Answer

Kerrison Rongeurs are bone-biting instruments used primarily in spinal surgery to remove bone (lamina). They must be disassembled or inspected closely for bioburden.

Question 16

What is the purpose of a 'stylet' found with a suction tip?

Accepted Answer

A stylet is a thin wire used to clear blockages from the narrow lumen of suction tips like the Frazier.

Question 17

Which instrument marking method is NOT recommended because it damages the protective passive layer?

Accepted Answer

Engraving cuts into the metal, breaking the passive layer and creating crevices where bacteria and rust can form. Laser marking or tape is preferred.

Question 18

An instrument with a dull finish (satin) is preferred over a shiny (mirror) finish because:

Accepted Answer

Mirror finishes reflect OR lights, causing glare and eye fatigue for surgeons. Satin finishes reduce this glare.

Question 19

To properly inspect a hemostat for jaw alignment, the technician should:

Accepted Answer

Closing to the first ratchet allows the technician to see if the tips meet perfectly. If they overlap or there is a gap, the alignment is off.

Question 20

The Richardson retractor is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

The Richardson is a handheld retractor with a right-angle curved blade and a lip, used for abdominal or chest incisions.

Question 21

Which forceps is used to grasp bowel or other delicate tissue without crushing it (has a rounded, fenestrated jaw)?

Accepted Answer

The Babcock clamp has rounded, fenestrated (windowed) jaws designed to hold tubular structures like bowel or fallopian tubes atraumatically.

Question 22

When applying instrument tape, the tape should be wrapped:

Accepted Answer

Excessive tape creates a harbor for microorganisms and interferes with sterilization. 1 to 1.5 turns is sufficient.

Question 23

A 'Yankauer' is a type of:

Accepted Answer

The Yankauer is a rigid suction tip with a large opening, commonly used for throat suctioning.

Question 24

Supercut scissors can be identified by:

Accepted Answer

Supercut scissors typically have one black handle ring. One blade is razor sharp (knife edge) and the other is micro-serrated to hold tissue.

Question 25

Pitting on a surgical instrument is usually caused by:

Accepted Answer

Chloride ions (found in saline and blood) attack the passive chromium oxide layer, causing localized corrosion (pitting).

Question 26

Which instrument is a 'speculum'?

Accepted Answer

The Graves vaginal speculum is an instrument used to dilate the vaginal canal for examination. Hegar is a dilator, Metzenbaum is a scissor, Backhaus is a towel clamp.

Question 27

The 'ratchet' on a surgical instrument is used to:

Accepted Answer

Ratchets allow the surgeon to clamp a vessel or tissue and leave the instrument in place (self-retaining) without holding it.

Question 28

A Backhaus clamp is commonly known as a:

Accepted Answer

Backhaus towel clips have sharp, penetrating points used to hold sterile drapes (towels) in place.

Question 29

Which of the following describes an 'Allis' clamp?

Accepted Answer

The Allis clamp has jaws with multiple interlocking teeth that look like praying hands when closed. It is used to grasp tissue that will be removed.

Question 30

When inspecting a needle holder, the technician should check for:

Accepted Answer

Needle holders fail if the inserts are worn (needle slips), the box lock cracks, or the ratchet doesn't hold.

Question 31

A 'Malleable' (or Ribbon) retractor is unique because:

Accepted Answer

Malleable retractors are made of soft stainless steel that allows them to be bent into various shapes to fit deep cavities.

Question 32

Brown-Adson forceps differ from standard Adson forceps because they have:

Accepted Answer

Standard Adsons usually have 1x2 teeth. Brown-Adsons have rows of small, intermeshing teeth for a broader grip.

Question 33

If an instrument tray is missing an instrument during assembly, the technician should:

Accepted Answer

Patient safety relies on accurate counts. Missing instruments must be documented/tagged so the OR is aware immediately.

Question 34

Which solution causes the most damage to stainless steel instruments?

Accepted Answer

Saline contains chloride (salt), which rapidly corrodes (pits) stainless steel.

Question 35

The 'Senn' retractor is:

Accepted Answer

The Senn is a small retractor used for superficial incisions (hand/foot surgery). It has a small blade on one end and small rakes on the other.

Question 36

A 'Mosquito' hemostat is primarily used for:

Accepted Answer

Halsted Mosquito hemostats are small and delicate, used for controlling bleeding in small vessels.

Question 37

Osteotomes are used to:

Accepted Answer

Osteotomes are chisel-like instruments used with a mallet to cut or shave bone.

Question 38

A 'Probe' (grooved director) is used to:

Accepted Answer

Probes are wire-like instruments used to explore ducts, fistulas, or wound depth.

Question 39

Stains on instruments that are brown or orange usually indicate:

Accepted Answer

Brown/orange stains typically indicate rust/corrosion or transfer rust from other instruments.

Question 40

The standard assembly weight limit for an instrument set (including the container) is generally:

Accepted Answer

AAMI ST79 recommends a maximum weight of 25 lbs for containerized instrument sets to ensure proper sterilization (drying) and prevent ergonomic injury.

Question 41

During a laparoscopic case, the surgeon complains that the image is foggy and dark. The most likely cause related to processing is:

Accepted Answer

Foggy or dark images are frequently caused by improper cleaning of the distal lens (tip) of the laparoscope. Even microscopic bioburden or water spots can obscure the view.

Question 42

A laparoscopic instrument has a cut in the insulation. This defect is dangerous because:

Accepted Answer

Insulation failure leads to stray electrosurgical currents arcing to non-target tissue (like the bowel), causing potentially fatal perforations.

Instrument Identification Practice Questions

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