SURGICAL CAREERS
THE OPERATING ROOM
SURGERY SPECIALTIES
THE PATH TO SURGERY
SURGERY SCENARIOS
100

 What is a surgeon?

This doctor performs operations to treat injuries and diseases.

100

What is the operating room (OR)?

This is the room where surgical procedures are performed.

100

What is orthopedic surgery?

This specialty focuses on bones, joints, and muscles.

100

What is an undergraduate/bachelor's degree?

Before medical school, students typically complete this.

100

A patient needs an operation. Who is primarily responsible for performing it?

What is the surgeon?

200

What is an anesthesiologist?

This professional manages a patient's anesthesia during surgery.

200

What is sterile technique?

This means keeping an area free from microorganisms that could cause infection.

200

What is neurosurgery?

This specialty performs operations involving the heart and chest.

200

What is medical school?

This school comes after undergraduate education for someone who wants to become a physician.

200

Before surgery, the anesthesia team needs to make sure the patient can safely receive anesthesia. What is this process called?

What is a pre-anesthesia evaluation?

300

What is a surgical technologist?

This healthcare professional helps prepare instruments and maintain the sterile field.

300

Who is the anesthesiologist?

This team member is responsible for monitoring the patient's vital signs and anesthesia.

300

What is general surgery?

This specialty commonly treats conditions involving the digestive system surgically.

300

What is residency?

After medical school, doctors complete this supervised training in a specialty.

300

During surgery, the surgical technologist notices that something that should remain sterile has become contaminated. What should happen?

The sterile field should be addressed immediately and the contamination corrected according to OR protocol.

400

What is an operating-room nurse?

This nurse provides care before, during, and after an operation.

400

What is surgical preparation?

This is the process of preparing the patient and surgical area before an operation.

400

 What is cardiothoracic surgery?

This specialty performs operations involving the heart and chest.

400

What is a fellowship?

A doctor who wants additional specialized training after residency may complete this.

400

A patient needs surgery for a broken bone. Which specialty would most likely be involved? 

What is orthopedic surgery?  

500

What is ENT (otolaryngology)?

This surgical specialty focuses on the ear, nose, and throat.

500

Name three different members of the surgical team.

Surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical technologist, OR nurse, etc.

500

What is an otolaryngologist (ENT surgeon)?

A doctor who performs operations involving the ear, nose, and throat is called this.

500

Put these in the correct order: medical school, undergraduate education, residency.

Undergraduate education → Medical school → Residency

500

A patient needs surgery involving the brain. Which surgical specialty would most likely perform it?

What is neurosurgery?