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PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM – AORN
STANDARDS & SURGICAL SAFETY FINAL
EXAM 2026 JUST RELEASED VERSION
Exam Structure
• Total Questions: 100
• Format: Multiple Choice (Single Best Answer)
• Level: University / RN–BSN
• Time Allowed: 120–150 minutes
• Framework: Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards
Introduction
This examination assesses the student’s ability to apply AORN standards and perioperative
nursing principles across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of
surgical care. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, infection prevention, surgical error
prevention, ethical–legal responsibility, and clinical judgment in the operating room and post-
anesthesia care unit. Questions reflect university-level complexity and focus on safe, evidence-
based nursing practice.
Question Format
• 4 options (A–D)
• One best correct answer
• Scenario-based and safety-focused
Answer & Rationale Format
• Correct Answer: Letter
• Rationale: Brief explanation linked to AORN standards and patient safety.
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SECTION I: PREOPERATIVE PHASE & PATIENT SAFETY
Q1.
The primary goal of the preoperative nursing assessment is to:
A. Reduce operative time
B. Identify risk factors affecting surgical outcomes
C. Ensure surgeon availability
D. Confirm insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preoperative assessment identifies physical,
psychological, and physiological risk factors that may affect
anesthesia, surgery, and recovery, which aligns with AORN
safety standards.
Q2.
Which action is the nurse’s priority when verifying informed
consent?
A. Confirming anesthesia type
B. Ensuring the patient understands risks, benefits, and
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alternatives
C. Checking surgeon credentials
D. Documenting vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires patient comprehension
and voluntary agreement. The nurse verifies understanding, not
merely the presence of a signed form.
Q3.
Which patient condition places an individual at highest surgical
risk?
A. Controlled hypertension
B. BMI of 27
C. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
D. History of appendectomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Uncontrolled diabetes increases infection risk,
impairs wound healing, and affects glucose regulation during
surgery.
Q4.
The nurse marks the surgical site to:
A. Improve operating room efficiency
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B. Prevent wrong-site surgery
C. Comply with anesthesia requirements
D. Assist sterile draping
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AORN standards mandate site marking to prevent
wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient errors.
Q5.
Which patient statement indicates understanding of
preoperative fasting?
A. “I can drink juice until surgery.”
B. “I may chew gum before surgery.”
C. “I will not eat or drink as instructed.”
D. “I can have clear soup anytime.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NPO status reduces aspiration risk during anesthesia.
SECTION II: ASEPSIS & INFECTION CONTROL
Q6.
The most important principle of surgical asepsis is:
A. Limiting OR traffic
B. Maintaining a sterile field
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM – AORN
STANDARDS & SURGICAL SAFETY FINAL
EXAM 2026 JUST RELEASED VERSION
Exam Structure
• Total Questions: 100
• Format: Multiple Choice (Single Best Answer)
• Level: University / RN–BSN
• Time Allowed: 120–150 minutes
• Framework: Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards
Introduction
This examination assesses the student’s ability to apply AORN standards and perioperative
nursing principles across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of
surgical care. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, infection prevention, surgical error
prevention, ethical–legal responsibility, and clinical judgment in the operating room and post-
anesthesia care unit. Questions reflect university-level complexity and focus on safe, evidence-
based nursing practice.
Question Format
• 4 options (A–D)
• One best correct answer
• Scenario-based and safety-focused
Answer & Rationale Format
• Correct Answer: Letter
• Rationale: Brief explanation linked to AORN standards and patient safety.
,2
SECTION I: PREOPERATIVE PHASE & PATIENT SAFETY
Q1.
The primary goal of the preoperative nursing assessment is to:
A. Reduce operative time
B. Identify risk factors affecting surgical outcomes
C. Ensure surgeon availability
D. Confirm insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preoperative assessment identifies physical,
psychological, and physiological risk factors that may affect
anesthesia, surgery, and recovery, which aligns with AORN
safety standards.
Q2.
Which action is the nurse’s priority when verifying informed
consent?
A. Confirming anesthesia type
B. Ensuring the patient understands risks, benefits, and
,3
alternatives
C. Checking surgeon credentials
D. Documenting vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires patient comprehension
and voluntary agreement. The nurse verifies understanding, not
merely the presence of a signed form.
Q3.
Which patient condition places an individual at highest surgical
risk?
A. Controlled hypertension
B. BMI of 27
C. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
D. History of appendectomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Uncontrolled diabetes increases infection risk,
impairs wound healing, and affects glucose regulation during
surgery.
Q4.
The nurse marks the surgical site to:
A. Improve operating room efficiency
, 4
B. Prevent wrong-site surgery
C. Comply with anesthesia requirements
D. Assist sterile draping
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AORN standards mandate site marking to prevent
wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient errors.
Q5.
Which patient statement indicates understanding of
preoperative fasting?
A. “I can drink juice until surgery.”
B. “I may chew gum before surgery.”
C. “I will not eat or drink as instructed.”
D. “I can have clear soup anytime.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NPO status reduces aspiration risk during anesthesia.
SECTION II: ASEPSIS & INFECTION CONTROL
Q6.
The most important principle of surgical asepsis is:
A. Limiting OR traffic
B. Maintaining a sterile field
