NSG PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Preoperative Assessment and Preparation
Intraoperative Nursing Care and Aseptic Technique
Postoperative Care and PACU Management
Anesthesia Types and Complications
Surgical Safety and WHO Checklist Compliance
Infection Control and Perioperative Wound Care
Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards in Perioperative Nursing
Perioperative Medication Management and Safety
Critical Thinking and Emergency Response in the OR
Patient Education and Psychosocial Support Throughout the Surgical Continuum
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive perioperative nursing exam assesses essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for safe and effective
surgical care. The test evaluates competency across preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, postoperative recovery, anesthesia
complications, aseptic technique, infection control, and regulatory compliance. Questions include multiple-choice items and scenario-based clinical
situations that emphasize real-world application. Candidates must demonstrate critical thinking, prioritize patient safety, apply evidence-based
practice, and adhere to AORN standards. This exam prepares nursing professionals for certification and clinical practice in perioperative settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which phase of perioperative nursing care begins when the patient is admitted to the surgical suite and ends with transfer to the postanesthesia care
unit?
,A. Preoperative phase
B. Intraoperative phase
C. Postoperative phase
D. Rehabilitative phase
🟢 B. Intraoperative phase
🔴 RATIONALE: The intraoperative phase begins when the patient enters the operating suite and ends with transfer to the PACU. The preoperative
phase occurs before surgery admission, and postoperative begins after PACU transfer.
Question 2
What is the FIRST action a perioperative nurse should take when suspecting malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Administer dantrolene sodium
B. Apply a cooling blanket
C. Stop the surgery and inform the surgeon
D. Administer oxygen at 100%
🟢 C. Stop the surgery and inform the surgeon
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority intervention for suspected malignant hyperthermia is immediately discontinuing the triggering anesthetic agent by
stopping surgery. Dantrolene, cooling, and oxygen are important but secondary to stopping the trigger.
Question 3
Which area of a sterile surgical gown is considered sterile?
A. Back of the gown
B. Sleeves to the cuff
C. Front from chest to table level
D. Lower back portion
🟢 C. Front from chest to table level
,🔴 RATIONALE: The sterile areas of a surgical gown include the front from chest to table level and sleeves from axilla to cuff. The back and lower
portions are considered unsterile.
Question 4
A patient taking aspirin daily is scheduled for elective surgery. What is the PRIMARY reason the nurse advises stopping aspirin 7-10 days
preoperatively?
A. Prevents gastrointestinal irritation
B. Reduces risk of excessive bleeding
C. Prevents interaction with anesthesia
D. Improves wound healing
🟢 B. Reduces risk of excessive bleeding
🔴 RATIONALE: Aspirin has antiplatelet effects that increase bleeding risk during and after surgery. Discontinuing aspirin 7-10 days prior reduces
excessive bleeding complications.
Question 5
Which member of the surgical team is responsible for handing sterile instruments to the surgeon during the procedure?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Anesthesiologist
C. Scrub nurse
D. Surgeon's assistant
🟢 C. Scrub nurse
🔴 RATIONALE: The scrub nurse maintains the sterile field and passes sterile instruments, sutures, and supplies to the surgeon. The circulating
nurse manages the OR environment but is not sterile.
Question 6
, What is the drug of choice for treating malignant hyperthermia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Lidocaine
C. Dantrolene
D. Propofol
🟢 C. Dantrolene
🔴 RATIONALE: Dantrolene sodium is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia. It works by inhibiting calcium release from sarcoplasmic
reticulum, reducing muscle rigidity and hyperthermia.
Question 7
Which perioperative nursing assessment is CRITICAL for identifying patients at risk for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Postoperative pain level
B. Preoperative family history and interview
C. Intraoperative blood pressure
D. Postoperative wound appearance
🟢 B. Preoperative family history and interview
🔴 RATIONALE: Perioperative nurses must perform MH risk assessments during preoperative interviews to identify patients with family history or
genetic susceptibility. Early identification enables preventive measures.
Question 8
AORN guidelines for perioperative practice are based primarily on:
A. Institutional policies
B. Scientific evidence and current research
C. Surgeon preferences
D. Cost containment strategies
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Preoperative Assessment and Preparation
Intraoperative Nursing Care and Aseptic Technique
Postoperative Care and PACU Management
Anesthesia Types and Complications
Surgical Safety and WHO Checklist Compliance
Infection Control and Perioperative Wound Care
Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards in Perioperative Nursing
Perioperative Medication Management and Safety
Critical Thinking and Emergency Response in the OR
Patient Education and Psychosocial Support Throughout the Surgical Continuum
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive perioperative nursing exam assesses essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for safe and effective
surgical care. The test evaluates competency across preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, postoperative recovery, anesthesia
complications, aseptic technique, infection control, and regulatory compliance. Questions include multiple-choice items and scenario-based clinical
situations that emphasize real-world application. Candidates must demonstrate critical thinking, prioritize patient safety, apply evidence-based
practice, and adhere to AORN standards. This exam prepares nursing professionals for certification and clinical practice in perioperative settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which phase of perioperative nursing care begins when the patient is admitted to the surgical suite and ends with transfer to the postanesthesia care
unit?
,A. Preoperative phase
B. Intraoperative phase
C. Postoperative phase
D. Rehabilitative phase
🟢 B. Intraoperative phase
🔴 RATIONALE: The intraoperative phase begins when the patient enters the operating suite and ends with transfer to the PACU. The preoperative
phase occurs before surgery admission, and postoperative begins after PACU transfer.
Question 2
What is the FIRST action a perioperative nurse should take when suspecting malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Administer dantrolene sodium
B. Apply a cooling blanket
C. Stop the surgery and inform the surgeon
D. Administer oxygen at 100%
🟢 C. Stop the surgery and inform the surgeon
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority intervention for suspected malignant hyperthermia is immediately discontinuing the triggering anesthetic agent by
stopping surgery. Dantrolene, cooling, and oxygen are important but secondary to stopping the trigger.
Question 3
Which area of a sterile surgical gown is considered sterile?
A. Back of the gown
B. Sleeves to the cuff
C. Front from chest to table level
D. Lower back portion
🟢 C. Front from chest to table level
,🔴 RATIONALE: The sterile areas of a surgical gown include the front from chest to table level and sleeves from axilla to cuff. The back and lower
portions are considered unsterile.
Question 4
A patient taking aspirin daily is scheduled for elective surgery. What is the PRIMARY reason the nurse advises stopping aspirin 7-10 days
preoperatively?
A. Prevents gastrointestinal irritation
B. Reduces risk of excessive bleeding
C. Prevents interaction with anesthesia
D. Improves wound healing
🟢 B. Reduces risk of excessive bleeding
🔴 RATIONALE: Aspirin has antiplatelet effects that increase bleeding risk during and after surgery. Discontinuing aspirin 7-10 days prior reduces
excessive bleeding complications.
Question 5
Which member of the surgical team is responsible for handing sterile instruments to the surgeon during the procedure?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Anesthesiologist
C. Scrub nurse
D. Surgeon's assistant
🟢 C. Scrub nurse
🔴 RATIONALE: The scrub nurse maintains the sterile field and passes sterile instruments, sutures, and supplies to the surgeon. The circulating
nurse manages the OR environment but is not sterile.
Question 6
, What is the drug of choice for treating malignant hyperthermia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Lidocaine
C. Dantrolene
D. Propofol
🟢 C. Dantrolene
🔴 RATIONALE: Dantrolene sodium is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia. It works by inhibiting calcium release from sarcoplasmic
reticulum, reducing muscle rigidity and hyperthermia.
Question 7
Which perioperative nursing assessment is CRITICAL for identifying patients at risk for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Postoperative pain level
B. Preoperative family history and interview
C. Intraoperative blood pressure
D. Postoperative wound appearance
🟢 B. Preoperative family history and interview
🔴 RATIONALE: Perioperative nurses must perform MH risk assessments during preoperative interviews to identify patients with family history or
genetic susceptibility. Early identification enables preventive measures.
Question 8
AORN guidelines for perioperative practice are based primarily on:
A. Institutional policies
B. Scientific evidence and current research
C. Surgeon preferences
D. Cost containment strategies
