In minor surgeries, the medical assistant may assist with which postoperative task?

• A. Dressing and bandages
• B. Performing suturing
• C. Prescribing analgesics
• D. Diagnosing the patient

Answer: (B)

Postoperative tasks in minor procedures involve assisting the clinician with the wound management part of the surgery, under supervision. The best answer reflects the medical assistant’s role in supporting wound closure: assisting with suturing. This includes helping with the suturing steps, maintaining a sterile field, and passing instruments as directed. It’s a hands-on task tied to the surgical closure phase and immediate post-op care, whereas prescribing analgesics or diagnosing are tasks that require licensure and clinical decision-making, which are not within the medical assistant’s independent scope. Dressing and bandaging are also part of post-op care, but the scenario emphasizes the active procedural support during wound closure.