The suture material that is both absorbable and synthetic is:

Appeared in: GMCH - 2016

Explanation

Polyglycolic acid is a synthetic, absorbable, braided multifilament suture.
It is a polymer of glycolic acid, which is broken down in the body through hydrolysis, a process where water molecules break down the polymer chains.
This mechanism ensures a predictable absorption rate (typically 60-90 days) and causes less tissue reaction compared to the enzymatic degradation of natural sutures.
It is commonly used for general soft tissue approximation and ligation, including in ophthalmic procedures.

Option A: Polyamide (Nylon) is a synthetic suture, but it is non-absorbable. The body encapsulates it with fibrous tissue.
Option B: Polypropylene is also a synthetic suture, but it is non-absorbable. It is known for its high tensile strength and extremely low tissue reactivity.
Option D: Chromic catgut is absorbable, but it is a natural material, not synthetic. It is derived from the submucosa of sheep intestine or serosa of beef intestine and treated with chromic salts to delay absorption.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of surgical suture materials based on origin and absorption as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Choosing the correct suture material is critical for proper wound healing. A synthetic absorbable suture like polyglycolic acid is ideal for internal tissues as it provides temporary support and then dissolves without needing removal, reducing infection risk and tissue trauma.
Nurses must be aware of the type of suture used, especially for skin closures, to know if they need to be removed or will dissolve on their own. This is a key part of patient discharge teaching.
What if the question asked for a suture that was natural and absorbable? In that case, Chromic catgut would be the correct answer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key requirements from the question stem. Here, the suture must have two characteristics: 1) 'absorbable' and 2) 'synthetic'.
Next, evaluate each option against these two criteria.
Option A, Polyamide: Is it synthetic? Yes. Is it absorbable? No. Eliminate.
Option B, Polypropylene: Is it synthetic? Yes. Is it absorbable? No. Eliminate.
Option C, Polyglycolic acid: Is it synthetic? Yes. Is it absorbable? Yes. This matches both criteria.
Option D, Chromic catgut: Is it absorbable? Yes. Is it synthetic? No, it's natural. Eliminate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of surgical suture materials based on origin and absorption.
Stem keywords: suture material, absorbable, synthetic
Lead-in keywords: is

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E6 Gynecology Williams p. 430-440

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 p. 81-83

Practise the full GMCH - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.