HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

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Which instrument is classified as a hand-cutting instrument?

Excavator
Scalpel
Spoon Excavator
Mirrors

The correct answer is: Spoon Excavator

The spoon excavator is classified as a hand-cutting instrument because it is specifically designed for manually removing decay from the cavity preparation in a tooth. Its curved, spoon-like shape allows for effective scraping and excavation of dental tissues, making it ideal for cleaning out cavities before restoration. In dentistry, hand-cutting instruments generally include tools that are used to cut or remove hard and soft tissues. The spoon excavator falls squarely into this category due to its cutting action and manual operation. While other instruments mentioned may be used in various dental procedures, they do not serve primarily as hand-cutting tools. An excavator, while useful for similar purposes, does not have the same specific design tailored for scraping out decay. A scalpel is primarily used for incisions, rather than excavation of dental material, and mirrors are diagnostic instruments used for visibility in the oral cavity, not for cutting. Hence, the spoon excavator is the correct classification in this context.