QUESTIONS

Note: Those questions marked with an asterisk are not essential for NVQ level 3, but may be useful for further study or Diploma candidates.

1. List 5 ways in which suture materials are categorised.
2. List 4 examples of absorbable suture materials.
3. Of your answers to Q1, which is the odd one out and why?
4. Chromic catgut has been treated with chromium salts. Why?
5. In addition to catgut, can you name 2 other natural suture materials?
6. List 4 examples of non-absorbable suture materials.
7. List 3 examples of coated suture materials.
8. List 3 examples of braided suture materials.
9. List 4 examples of monofilament suture materials.
10. How are suture materials usually sterilised?
11. Can you list 4 factors to be taken into account when choosing a suture material?
12. For what purpose might you use staples, monofilament nylon or polypropylene?
13. For what purpose might you use polydioxanone, polyglactin 910 or polyglycolic acid?
14. Suggest a material suitable for suturing the bladder.
15. Suggest a material suitable for suturing muscle.
16. * Suggest 4 suitable uses for polypropylene (Prolene).
17. How are suture needles classified?
18. List 3 factors that determine the strength of a suture needle.
19. Why should bent suture needles be discarded rather than attempts made to straighten them?
20. List important factors concerned with the use of needle holders.
21. * Suggest a suitable type and size of needle for the suturing of an intestinal incision in a rabbit.
22. Describe a reverse cutting needle.
23. What is the most likely cause of the bending of a needle?
24. What is the main advantage of a tapercut needle?
25. * When might the use of a trocar point needle be indicated?
26. * When might the use of a micropoint needle be indicated?
27. Why is it that a needle should be as close as possible in diameter to that of the suture?
28. Name the suture pattern most likely to lead to complete wound breakdown.
29. When might the use of simple interrupted sutures be indicated?
30. When might the use of simple continuous sutures be indicated?
31. What suture patterns are ideal for the closure of skin wounds under moderate tension?
32. What is another name for a swaged needle?
33. After what period are non-absorbable skin sutures usually removed?
34. You are asked to remove the sutures from a bitch 10 days following ovariohysterectomy. The wound appears closed, but is quite red and sore as a result of her licking. What would you recommend?
35. Give 3 alternatives to sutures.