Minor Office Surgery Overview

Questions and Answers

What are forceps used for?

To pick up or hold small objects.

What are the characteristics of a minor surgical procedure?

A minor surgical procedure is performed in an ambulatory health care facility. It does not, under normal circumstances, pose a major risk to life or the function of an organ or body parts.

What are the responsibilities of a medical assistant during a minor surgical operation?

Explaining patient preparation, obtaining consent, preparing the treatment room, and preparing the patient.

What is the purpose of serrations found on some instruments?

Serrations are saw-like teeth that grasp tissue and prevent it from slipping out of the jaws of the instrument. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in function between mosquito hemostatic forceps and standard hemostatic forceps?

Mosquito hemostatic forceps are used to hold delicate tissue or clamp smaller blood vessels; standard hemostatic forceps are used for larger blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

List five guidelines that should be followed in caring for instruments.

Handle instruments carefully, do not pile them, sanitize and sterilize properly, use as intended, keep sharps away from others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a closed and an open wound?

A closed wound is an injury without a break in the skin; an open wound has a break in the skin that exposes underlying tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Why does a puncture wound encourage the growth of tetanus bacteria?

Tetanus bacteria grow best in a warm anaerobic environment like that found in a puncture wound. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of inflammation?

To destroy invading microorganisms and remove damaged tissue debris for proper healing. Signup and view all the answers

List the four local signs that occur during inflammation.

Redness, swelling, pain, warmth. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

A fibrin network forms, resulting in a blood clot that plugs the wound opening. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the granulation phase of wound healing?

Fibroblasts migrate to the wound and synthesize collagen, and new capillaries grow. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the maturation phase of wound healing?

Collagen continues to be synthesized, and granulation tissue hardens into scar tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a furuncle?

A boil; a suppurative inflammatory skin lesion due to an infected hair follicle. Signup and view all the answers

What is homeostasis?

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state. Signup and view all the answers

What is an incision?

The process of cutting into. Signup and view all the answers

What is an infection?

Contamination or invasion of body tissue by pathogenic organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is inflammation?

A localized response to an injury or destruction of tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is a laceration?

To cut. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nonabsorbable suture?

Suture material that is not absorbed by the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is a puncture?

A small hole made by a sharp object. Signup and view all the answers

What does sterile mean?

No living microbes. Signup and view all the answers

What is surgery?

Treatment by manual or operative methods. Signup and view all the answers

What is surgical asepsis?

Techniques used to destroy all pathogenic organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a wound?

A break in the skin or mucous membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is an exudate?

Material that has escaped from blood vessels during the inflammatory process. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of serous exudate: It contains ________ and appears clear and watery.

serum Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of sanguineous exudate: It has a ________ color and is composed of red blood cells.

red Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of purulent exudate: It contains ________ and is usually thick with an unpleasant odor.

pus Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of serosanguineous exudate: It consists of clear and ________ drainage.

blood-tinged Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of purosanguineous exudate: It consists of ________ and blood.

pus Signup and view all the answers

List two functions of a sterile dressing.

To protect the wound from contamination and trauma; to absorb drainage. Signup and view all the answers

What are the smallest sutures from the following?: 4-0 silk, 2-0 silk, 0 chromic surgical gut, 3-0 chromic surgical gut.

4-0 silk Signup and view all the answers

List five examples of materials used for nonabsorbable sutures.

Silk, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, stainless steel. Signup and view all the answers

What is a swaged needle?

A swaged needle is permanently attached to the end of the suture. Signup and view all the answers

Why are sutures inserted in the head and neck generally removed sooner?

This area has a better blood supply and heals more rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

List two advantages of using surgical skin staples.

Fastest method of closure for long skin incisions; reduces trauma to tissue. Signup and view all the answers

List three advantages of adhesive skin closures.

Eliminate need for sutures; easy to apply; result in less scarring. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of preparing the patient's skin before minor office surgery?

To reduce the risk of surgical wound contamination. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a fenestrated drape?

To provide a sterile area around the operative site. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of a local anesthetic?

Produces loss of sensation in a localized area and takes effect in 5 to 15 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding epinephrine to a local anesthetic?

Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor that prolongs anesthetic effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most frequently used local anesthetic in minor office surgery?

Xylocaine (lidocaine hydrochloride). Signup and view all the answers

How should an instrument be handed to the physician during minor office surgery?

In its functional position and firm manner. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sebaceous cyst?

A thin, closed sac located just under the skin containing secretions from a sebaceous gland. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using gauze packing or a rubber Penrose drain after incising a localized infection?

To keep the edges of the tissue held apart to facilitate drainage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between congenital nevi and acquired nevi?

Congenital nevi are moles present at birth; acquired nevi develop over time. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of benign moles?

Usually smaller than a pencil eraser; vary in color. Signup and view all the answers

What are skin tags?

Small, painless, benign growths that project from the skin on a narrow stalk. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of dysplastic nevi.

Larger than normal moles, with irregular coloration and shape. Signup and view all the answers

List the characteristics of melanoma.

Asymmetrical, irregular border, varies in color, larger than 1/4 inch, may be painful or bleed. Signup and view all the answers

What are the postoperative instructions for toenail removal?

Keep area clean and dry, apply antibiotic ointment, wear loose-fitting shoes for 2 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What are the most common methods used to remove moles?

Shave excision, surgical excision, laser surgery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a biopsy?

To determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows deeply into the nail groove. Signup and view all the answers

List three causes of an ingrown toenail.

Tight shoes, trauma, improper nail trimming. Signup and view all the answers

List two reasons for performing a colposcopy.

To follow up on abnormal Pap test results; evaluate a vaginal or cervical lesion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of performing a cervical punch biopsy?

To detect cervical dysplasia or cancer; diagnose polyps or genital warts. Signup and view all the answers

List postoperative instructions after a cervical punch biopsy.

Minimal cramping/bleeding may occur; no douching/tampons/intercourse for 1 week. Signup and view all the answers

List two uses of cryosurgery.

To treat cervical dysplasia; to treat chronic cervicitis. Signup and view all the answers

List postoperative instructions after cervical cryosurgery.

Resume normal activities the next day; use pads for discharge; no intercourse for 2-3 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

List three functions of a bandage.

To apply pressure; control bleeding; protect the wound from contamination. Signup and view all the answers

List four guidelines to follow when applying a bandage.

Ensure area is clean; avoid skin surfaces touching; expose fingers/toes if possible; obtain new bandage if dropped. Signup and view all the answers

List four signs that may indicate a bandage is too tight.

Coldness, pallor, numbness, swelling. Signup and view all the answers

Why should the medical assistant be careful when applying an elastic bandage?

It is easy to apply too tightly and impede circulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reversing the spiral during a spiral-reverse turn in bandaging?

Allows for a smoother fit and keeps bandages from gaping. Signup and view all the answers

List two uses of the figure-eight bandage turn.

To hold a dressing in place; support and immobilize an injured joint. Signup and view all the answers

What type of bandage turn is used to anchor a bandage?

Circular. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Crile-Wood needle holder?

A grasping instrument with delicate jaws used to hold needles. Signup and view all the answers

What are plain splinter forceps used for?

To remove foreign bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What are Kelly hemostatic forceps used for?

Crushing instrument used to clamp larger blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What are Littauer suture removal scissors used for?

To remove sutures. Signup and view all the answers

What are operating scissors used for?

Dissection and cutting through fine tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What are thumb forceps?

Special tissue forceps that hold and release tissue easily. Signup and view all the answers

What is a scalpel?

A two-piece instrument used to make incisions and excisions. Signup and view all the answers

What are Lister bandage scissors used for?

Used to remove bandages and dressings. Signup and view all the answers

What are Foerster sponge forceps used for?

Used to hold gauze squares to sponge the surgical site. Signup and view all the answers

What are standard tissue forceps classified by?

Number of teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What are mosquito hemostatic forceps also known as?

Capillary clamp. Signup and view all the answers

What is an abrasion?

Scrape of the skin due to something abrasive. Signup and view all the answers

What is an abscess?

Localized collection of pus. Signup and view all the answers

What are absorbable sutures?

Suture material that is gradually digested and absorbed by the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is approximation?

Near or close estimate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bandage?

A piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is a biopsy?

Diagnostic examination of a piece of tissue from the living body. Signup and view all the answers

What is capillary action?

The attraction of the surface of a liquid to the surface of a solid. Signup and view all the answers

What is a colposcope?

Instrument used for visual examination of the vagina and cervix. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to contaminate?

To make something impure by exposure to a poisonous substance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a contusion?

Bruise or injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is cryosurgery?

Destruction of tissue by using extreme cold. Signup and view all the answers

What are fibroblasts?

Spindle-shaped cells that form connective tissue proper. Signup and view all the answers

What does bi/o mean?

Life. Signup and view all the answers

What does -opsy mean?

View of. Signup and view all the answers

What does colp/o mean?

Vagina. Signup and view all the answers

What does -scope mean?

Instrument for viewing. Signup and view all the answers

What does -scopy mean?

Visual examination. Signup and view all the answers

What does cry/o mean?

Cold. Signup and view all the answers

What does fibr/o mean?

Fiber, fibrous tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What does hem/o mean?

Relating to blood. Signup and view all the answers

What does -stasis mean?

Stopping, controlling. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Minor Office Surgery Overview

Forceps are used to pick up or hold small objects during procedures.
Minor surgical procedures occur in ambulatory settings, posing minimal life risk.

Medical Assistant Responsibilities

Explain patient preparation and obtain informed consent.
Prepare the treatment room and assist in preparing the patient.

Surgical Instruments and Techniques

Serrations on instruments help grasp tissue without slipping.
Mosquito hemostatic forceps secure delicate tissue or smaller blood vessels, while standard hemostatic forceps handle larger vessels.
Proper instrument care includes careful handling and sanitation.

Wound Types

Closed wounds have no break in the surface; open wounds expose underlying tissue.
Puncture wounds are ideal for tetanus bacteria growth due to the anaerobic environment.

Inflammation and Healing Phases

Inflammation destroys microorganisms and clears damaged tissue, marked by redness, swelling, pain, and warmth.
Healing progresses through phases:
- Inflammatory phase with clotting and fibrin network formation.
- Granulation phase involves fibroblast activity and new capillary growth.
- Maturation phase where collagen hardens into scar tissue.

Surgical Sutures

Nonabsorbable sutures remain in the body or must be removed; examples include silk and nylon.
Swaged needles reduce tissue trauma and do not require re-threading.

Postoperative Care

Instructions after procedures like toenail removal and cervical biopsies include keeping the area clean, avoiding certain activities, and monitoring signs of complications.

Skin Conditions and Treatments

Sebaceous cysts and skin tags are common benign conditions found in specific body areas.
Dysplastic nevi have irregular features and can develop into melanoma, which presents with asymmetrical shape, irregular borders, and varied colors.

Bandaging Techniques

Proper bandaging applies pressure, controls bleeding, and protects wounds.
Signs of bandage issues include coldness, numbness, or swelling, indicating it may be too tight.

Cryosurgery and Biopsy

Cryosurgery uses extreme cold to destroy tissue, often for cervical abnormalities.
Biopsies determine if tissues are malignant or benign and require careful postoperative instructions.

Common Surgical Instruments

Crile-Wood needle holder is used for grasping.
Littauer scissors are specifically for suture removal.
Foerster sponge forceps hold gauze for sponging during surgery.

Medical Terminology

Homeostasis maintains a stable internal environment.
Colposcope is an instrument for examining the vagina and cervix.
Abscess is a localized pus collection, while contusion refers to a bruise.

These study notes capture the essential details of minor office surgery, illustrating the roles, procedures, and considerations in both surgical and healing contexts.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of minor office surgery, including the use of various surgical instruments and techniques. It highlights the roles of medical assistants in patient preparation and wound management. Understand the phases of inflammation and healing for effective patient care.