Study for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Exam. Prep with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the second step in preparing absorbable sutures before loading on a needle holder?

  1. Trimming the excess suture length

  2. Tying a knot at the end of the suture

  3. Applying antibiotic ointment on the suture

  4. Rinsing the suture

The correct answer is: Rinsing the suture

Before loading absorbable sutures on a needle holder, the second step involves rinsing the suture. This step is crucial to remove any coating or impurities that may be present on the suture material. Rinsing the suture helps ensure its cleanliness and reduces the risk of introducing contaminants into the wound during suturing. Therefore, it is essential to rinse the absorbable suture before proceeding with the suturing procedure. The other options are not the correct second step in preparing absorbable sutures for loading on a needle holder.