SELF/Perioperative Nursing/Electro-Surgical Units/ESU Knowledge Assessment

▼This page is a part of the Perioperative Nursing Curriculum by ECSACONM and SELFPlease see the Intuitive Foundation Terms of Use and do not edit without permission.

Use the quiz below to check your understanding of the material.

Instructions

Work through each question carefully to choose the best answer, and submit the quiz to view your results. After completing the quiz, read through the answer explanations to review the reasoning behind both correct and incorrect options.

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Which statement best explains why electrosurgical units use high-frequency electrical current?

	High-frequency current produces tissue effects without causing sustained nerve or muscle stimulation
	High-frequency current eliminates the need for a patient return electrode during monopolar electrosurgery
	High-frequency current sterilizes tissue as it cuts
	High-frequency current always causes less tissue damage than conventional surgical instruments

Which characteristic distinguishes bipolar electrosurgery from monopolar electrosurgery?

	Bipolar electrosurgery always requires higher power settings
	Bipolar electrosurgery produces only cutting effects
	Electrical current passes between the two tips of the bipolar instrument, eliminating the need for a patient return electrode
	Bipolar electrosurgery may only be used during open surgery

Before connecting an electrosurgical unit for patient use, which inspection finding requires the equipment to be removed from service?

	The generator displays its default settings
	The active electrode remains in sterile packaging
	The footswitch activates consistently during testing
	A connection cable has damaged insulation with exposed conductors

Which patient return electrode placement site is most appropriate during monopolar electrosurgery?

	Over a bony prominence near the operative site
	Over clean, dry, well-perfused muscle with complete skin contact
	Over scar tissue because it is less sensitive to heat
	Over skin that remains damp after preparation

Why should generator power settings be adjusted in small increments during surgery?

	Small adjustments achieve the desired tissue effect while reducing unnecessary thermal injury
	Small adjustments prevent the need for a patient return electrode
	Small adjustments eliminate the need to monitor tissue response
	Small adjustments prevent generator alarms from occurring

Which practice best reduces the risk of accidental electrosurgical activation during an operation?

	Leaving the active electrode on the sterile drape between activations
	Activating the handpiece before it contacts tissue
	Returning the active electrode to its safety holster whenever it is not in use
	Increasing generator power to shorten activation time

Which finding most strongly suggests that the electrosurgical unit should be assessed before further activation?

	The surgeon requests a different coagulation setting
	The patient return electrode remains securely attached
	The active electrode is returned to its holster between activations
	Repeated generator alarms accompanied by unexpected tissue effects

Which combination completes the operating room fire triangle?

	Electrical current, sterile drapes, and irrigation fluid
	Ignition source, fuel, and oxidizer
	Oxygen, saline, and smoke
	Heat, suction, and carbon dioxide

Which documentation should be completed during electrosurgical use according to institutional policy?

	Only the final generator settings after the procedure
	Only equipment failures requiring biomedical repair
	Baseline equipment checks, significant generator setting changes, alarms, troubleshooting actions, and relevant findings
	Only the serial number of the electrosurgical generator

Which post-procedure action best supports long-term safe use of reusable electrosurgical equipment?

	Inspect reusable components for damage, clean and reprocess them appropriately, and remove defective equipment from service
	Store cables tightly coiled to reduce storage space
	Continue using damaged accessories until replacements become available
	Delay documentation until routine maintenance is performed

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Page data
Part of	Setting Up the Operating Room - ECSACONM
Keywords	surgery, health
SDG	SDG03 Good health and well-being
Authors	Ian-laurel
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Organizations	ECSACONM, SELF
Language	English (en)
Related	0 subpages, 1 pages link here
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Created	July 13, 2026 by 2607:FEA8:3441:6400:D4CF:A08A:DEEB:64C8
Last edit	July 13, 2026 by StandardWikitext bot
Cite as	"SELF/Perioperative Nursing/Electro-Surgical Units/ESU Knowledge Assessment". Appropedia. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
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