Surgical Tech Practice Exam

What tool can a surgical technologist pass to assist the surgeon in clamping and suturing a vessel deep in the abdomen?

1. Hemostat

2. Allis clamp

3. Clamp and suture

4. Tie-on-a-passer

The correct answer is: Tie-on-a-passer

In the context of assisting a surgeon with clamping and suturing a vessel deep in the abdomen, the tool that is most appropriate is a tie-on-a-passer. This specialized instrument is designed to facilitate the placement of suture material in difficult-to-reach places within the body, such as deep abdominal cavities. The tie-on-a-passer allows the surgical technologist to effectively pass a suture through or around a vessel, ensuring proper ligation and securing of the vessel, which is crucial in surgical procedures involving blood vessels. While other instruments mentioned have their specific uses, they do not provide the same level of effectiveness for the task at hand. A hemostat is typically used for clamping blood vessels or tissues to control bleeding but would not be ideal for passing suture material. An Allis clamp, which is used to grasp tissue securely, also does not serve the purpose of suturing. "Clamp and suture" is a general term and does not refer to a specific instrument designed for the depth and precision required in this scenario. Thus, the tie-on-a-passer is the best choice for facilitating a successful surgical outcome in situations involving deep vessels.