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Free Practice Quiz Question List

3 Surgical Positioning and Specimen Handling Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 3 Surgical Positioning and Specimen Handling, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

A patient scheduled for a prolonged operation has limited shoulder mobility and numbness in one hand. What should the team do before positioning?

  1. A

    Use the usual position and check for problems after the operation.

  2. B

    Document baseline findings, plan positioning and padding with the team, and protect the affected areas.

  3. C

    Position the patient’s arms wherever they fit most easily.

  4. D

    Wait until anesthesia begins to ask the patient about positioning risks.

02
True or false
1 point

If an anesthetized patient cannot report discomfort, documenting baseline findings only after the operation is sufficient to identify positioning-related changes.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

03
Written response
1 point

A specimen container and its requisition identify opposite sides of the body. What should the team do immediately, before sending the specimen? Enter one action verb.

04
Fill in the blank
1 point

To help prevent injury during prolonged positioning, use appropriate padding to protect without creating new pressure.

05
Choose one
1 point

During supine positioning, which approach best reduces pressure and stretch on nerves in the arm and shoulder?

  1. A

    Abduct the arms as far as possible and turn the wrists outward.

  2. B

    Support the arms comfortably and avoid excessive abduction, stretch, or pressure at the elbow and shoulder.

  3. C

    Place the patient’s weight on the upper arms to prevent movement.

  4. D

    Tighten restraints over the elbows to keep the arms stable.

06
Choose all
1 point

After turning an anesthetized patient into the prone position, which actions should the team take? Select all that apply.

  1. A

    Confirm alignment and protection of vulnerable areas.

  2. B

    Secure lines and airway equipment.

  3. C

    Begin surgery without checking the final position because it was planned.

  4. D

    Reassess the patient’s status after the turn.

07
True or false
1 point

If two tissue specimens come from different sites during one operation, they may be placed in one container as long as both sites are listed on the requisition.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Choose one
1 point

Two tissue specimens are removed from different sites during one operation. Which labeling practice best preserves specimen identity?

  1. A

    Place both specimens together and rely on the requisition to distinguish the sites.

  2. B

    Use a separate appropriate container for each specimen, label patient identifiers and precise site, and match the information to the order.

  3. C

    Leave containers unlabeled in the operating room and ask the laboratory to identify them.

  4. D

    Identify each container only with the operating-room number.

09
Written response
1 point

For a specimen that may require fresh tissue or a special transport medium, what combined category of instructions should the team confirm with the responsible clinician or laboratory, covering how the specimen is handled and sent?

10
Fill in the blank
1 point

Before the patient leaves the operating room, the team’s verbal confirmation of specimen labeling includes the patient’s name, specimen description, and .

11
Choose all
1 point

A specimen label and requisition disagree about the site. Which actions are appropriate before the specimen is sent? Select all that apply.

  1. A

    Stop and resolve the discrepancy with the responsible clinician.

  2. B

    Choose the side that seems most likely based on the procedure.

  3. C

    Verify the correct site with the responsible team member.

  4. D

    Correct the record according to facility policy before sending the specimen.

12
Choose one
1 point

A surgeon requests a specimen for a test that may need fresh tissue or a special transport medium. What is the safest next step?

  1. A

    Place all tissue specimens in formalin.

  2. B

    Freeze the specimen automatically.

  3. C

    Confirm the required container or medium with the responsible clinician or laboratory and send it promptly as specified.

  4. D

    Leave the specimen unmarked until pathology decides how to handle it.

13
Open ended
1 point

A patient with limited shoulder mobility and numbness in one hand is undergoing a prolonged operation that requires prone positioning. During the operation, the team removes specimens from two sites, and one specimen may require fresh tissue or a special transport medium. Describe the key steps the team should take to reduce positioning risks and protect specimen identity and quality before the patient leaves the operating room.

14
Choose one
1 point

A specimen container says “left breast,” but the requisition says “right breast.” What should the team do before sending the specimen?

  1. A

    Choose the side that seems more likely from the procedure.

  2. B

    Correct the paperwork from memory and send the specimen.

  3. C

    Stop and resolve the discrepancy with the responsible clinician before sending the specimen.

  4. D

    Remove the site from both labels.

15
True or false
1 point

Once a team has planned a patient’s position, it does not need to check the patient’s alignment or attached equipment again after turning the anesthetized patient.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

16
Written response
1 point

After a patient is placed prone, which two areas are specifically highlighted for particular attention?

17
Choose one
1 point

A patient will remain in one position for several hours. Which action best helps reduce pressure-injury risk without creating new hazards?

  1. A

    Pad vulnerable pressure points and check for unintended pressure or entrapment.

  2. B

    Add padding only if the patient appears uncomfortable.

  3. C

    Place padding under every body surface, even if it creates new pressure.

  4. D

    Rely on a pressure-redistributing surface instead of checking the patient.

18
Choose one
1 point

After turning an anesthetized patient into the prone position, which action should the team take before proceeding?

  1. A

    Begin surgery immediately because the prone position was planned.

  2. B

    Confirm alignment and protection of vulnerable areas, secure lines and airway equipment, and reassess the patient’s status.

  3. C

    Remove all supports so the patient can settle naturally.

  4. D

    Check only the face because other pressure points are padded.

19
Choose one
1 point

A specimen container says “left breast,” but its requisition says “right breast.” What should the team do before the specimen is sent?

  1. A

    Choose the side that seems most likely based on the procedure.

  2. B

    Correct the requisition from memory and send the specimen.

  3. C

    Pause and resolve the discrepancy with the responsible clinician before sending the specimen.

  4. D

    Remove the site from both the container and the requisition.

20
Written response
1 point

During verbal confirmation of specimen labeling, what should the team verify in addition to the patient’s name and specimen description?