Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting Exam Prep
Free practice questions

Free OSA Practice Questions

10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.

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The OSA exam has 80 questions and runs 1 hour.

These 10 free OSA questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Pre-Operative Preparation of the Patient 5% of exam

Question 1

During phacoemulsification the surgeon asks for the instrument used to grasp and tear the anterior capsule. The assistant should pass:

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Correct answer: B - Utrata forceps

Question 2

The PRIMARY advantage of a spatulated needle in corneal and scleral suturing is that it:

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Correct answer: A - Passes within the lamellar plane without cutting deeper

Question 3

A trabeculectomy is under way and the surgeon asks for the instrument used to create the sclerostomy. The assistant should pass the:

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Correct answer: C - Kelly Descemet punch

Domain 2: Instruments 25% of exam

Question 4

Which povidone-iodine preparation is instilled into the conjunctival cul-de-sac before intraocular surgery?

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Correct answer: D - 5% solution

Question 5

Which portion of a properly donned surgical gown is considered sterile?

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Correct answer: B - The sleeve from two inches above the elbow

Domain 3: Aseptic Technique 20% of exam

Question 6

A patient scheduled for cataract surgery stopped taking tamsulosin two years ago. The surgical team should still anticipate:

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Correct answer: D - Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome

Domain 5: Surgical Procedures 27% of exam

Question 7

During strabismus surgery on a child, traction on the medial rectus drops the heart rate from 92 to 44. The assistant should FIRST:

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Correct answer: C - Alert the surgeon to release the muscle

Domain 6: Surgical Complications 3% of exam

Question 8

A dispersive viscoelastic is selected during phacoemulsification PRIMARILY to:

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Correct answer: C - Coat and protect the corneal endothelium

Domain 7: Ophthalmic Surgical Pharmacology 10% of exam

Question 9

Eighteen hours after uncomplicated cataract surgery a patient has diffuse limbus-to-limbus corneal edema, minimal pain, and a clear vitreous. This is MOST consistent with:

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Correct answer: A - Toxic anterior segment syndrome

Question 10

During phacoemulsification the anterior chamber shallows, the red reflex is lost, and the globe becomes firm. The team should immediately prepare to:

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Correct answer: B - Close the incision

The rest of the OSA blueprint

The OSA exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:

That's 10 of 1,030

The full bank has 1,020 more OSA questions with explanations.

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