California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Written Practice Exam

When transferring instruments with hinges, such as surgical forceps and scissors, the assistant should do what?

1. Hand over the instruments freely

2. Grasp the sharp end and hand it over

3. Grasp the hinges and direct the handles to the dentist's palm

4. Place them on a tray for the dentist to pick up

The correct answer is: Grasp the hinges and direct the handles to the dentist's palm

When transferring instruments with hinges, it is important for the assistant to grasp the hinges and direct the handles towards the dentist's palm. This allows for better control and prevents any accidental injuries from the sharp ends of the instruments. Handing over the instruments freely (A) or holding onto the sharp end (B) can potentially cause harm to both the assistant and the dentist. Placing them on a tray for the dentist to pick up (D) is also not recommended as it can be time-consuming and may cause the instruments to become disorganized.