CNOR 200 QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM | COMPLETE CERTIFIED NURSE OPERATING ROOM
(CNOR) STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXAM PREP 2026/2027
During preoperative verification the nurse notes the patient has an implantable cardioverter-
defibrillator (ICD). The nurse ensures the device is turned off prior to the planned procedure
because the _______________________ can deprogram the device and cause it to trigger
during the procedure.
A. wavelength
B. audible length
C. electrical component
D. volume - correct answer ✔✔A. wavelength
Which of the following actions demonstrates a key physical attribute of the RN circulator?
A. quickly anticipating the needs of the team
B. Using eye-hand coordination
C. Remaining calm
D. Concentrating during long procedure - correct answer ✔✔B. Using eye-hand coordination
A patient scheduled for an emergency hip arthroplasty has a preoperative prothrombin result of
12 seconds. The best action of the RN circulator is to:
A. inform the surgical team and transport the patient to the OR suite
B. inform the anesthesiologist
C. cancel the case
D. inform the surgeon - correct answer ✔✔A. inform the surgical team and transport the
patient to the OR suite
Specimens should be transferred from the sterile field to the appropriate container using
____________________ precautions.
,A. droplet
B. contact
C. standard
D. universal - correct answer ✔✔C. standard
The perioperative nurse can expert the wound/ostomy/continence nurse to mark the site for
the stoma for a colostomy at:
A. the patient's belt line
B. skin fold
C. a crease in the abdomen
D. the rectus muscle - correct answer ✔✔D. the rectus muscle
What is the shelf life of red blood cells when refrigerated?
A. 40 days
B. 46 days
C. 42 days
D. 44 days - correct answer ✔✔C. 42 days
During a postoperative follow-up phone call, a patient recovering from a right lumpectomy
states that she is experiencing numbness to the ring (fourth) and little (fifth) fingers of her right
hand. The perioperative nurse suspects possible damage to the:
A. median nerve
B. radial nerve
C. axillary nerve
D. ulnar nerve - correct answer ✔✔D. ulnar nerve
,The time between traumatic injury and effective treatment that directly influences patient
outcomes is referred to as the:
A. hour of decision
B. transitional hour
C. golden hour
D. trauma hour - correct answer ✔✔C. golden hour
Most medication errors in pediatric care occur because this patient population varies
dramatically in:
A. height
B. age
C. allergic reactions
D. weight - correct answer ✔✔D. weight
Solutions used for manually cleaning flexible endoscopes should be discarded...
A. after they become cloudy
B. after there are visible particulates
C. at the end of the shift
D. after every use - correct answer ✔✔D. after every use
The perioperative RN notes that the patient is taking garlic as a prophylactic cold remedy. This
information is reported to which of the following health care providers?
A. The anesthesia care provider, as the herb can prolong bleeding
B. The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), as there will be less need for electrocautery
C. The AM admit nurse, since it is not necessary to hang an IV prophylactic antibiotic
D. - correct answer ✔✔A. The anesthesia care provider, as the herb can prolong bleeding
, During a local procedure, the nurse notices that the patient is exhibiting a sense of uneasiness,
agitation, coughing, and wheezing. The nurse should suspect a/an:
A. toxic reaction to the local anesthesia
B. allergic reaction to the local anesthesia
C. series of side effects to local anesthesia
D. normal reaction to the local anesthesia - correct answer ✔✔B. allergic reaction to the local
anesthesia
The _________________ lithotomy position is most often associated with compartment
syndrome.
A. frog-leg
B. standard
C. high
D. low - correct answer ✔✔C. high
Which of the following should be considered regarding the integrity of packaging materials?
A. storage area should have air temperature below 75 degrees F
B. steam sterilized items should be placed onto storage shelves to cool at room temperature
C. open-shelving storage units are preferable to closed cupboards
D. storage areas do not need to be secure - correct answer ✔✔A. storage area should have air
temperature below 75 degrees F
Radiation seeds have been removed along with prostatic tissue during a transurethral resection
of the prostate. How should the tissue be handled?
A. kept on the sterile field until the end of the case to prevent exposure to other perioperative
team member
B. Placed at the specimen pickup station for routine transport to pathology
C. Direct transfer to the specimen container
(CNOR) STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXAM PREP 2026/2027
During preoperative verification the nurse notes the patient has an implantable cardioverter-
defibrillator (ICD). The nurse ensures the device is turned off prior to the planned procedure
because the _______________________ can deprogram the device and cause it to trigger
during the procedure.
A. wavelength
B. audible length
C. electrical component
D. volume - correct answer ✔✔A. wavelength
Which of the following actions demonstrates a key physical attribute of the RN circulator?
A. quickly anticipating the needs of the team
B. Using eye-hand coordination
C. Remaining calm
D. Concentrating during long procedure - correct answer ✔✔B. Using eye-hand coordination
A patient scheduled for an emergency hip arthroplasty has a preoperative prothrombin result of
12 seconds. The best action of the RN circulator is to:
A. inform the surgical team and transport the patient to the OR suite
B. inform the anesthesiologist
C. cancel the case
D. inform the surgeon - correct answer ✔✔A. inform the surgical team and transport the
patient to the OR suite
Specimens should be transferred from the sterile field to the appropriate container using
____________________ precautions.
,A. droplet
B. contact
C. standard
D. universal - correct answer ✔✔C. standard
The perioperative nurse can expert the wound/ostomy/continence nurse to mark the site for
the stoma for a colostomy at:
A. the patient's belt line
B. skin fold
C. a crease in the abdomen
D. the rectus muscle - correct answer ✔✔D. the rectus muscle
What is the shelf life of red blood cells when refrigerated?
A. 40 days
B. 46 days
C. 42 days
D. 44 days - correct answer ✔✔C. 42 days
During a postoperative follow-up phone call, a patient recovering from a right lumpectomy
states that she is experiencing numbness to the ring (fourth) and little (fifth) fingers of her right
hand. The perioperative nurse suspects possible damage to the:
A. median nerve
B. radial nerve
C. axillary nerve
D. ulnar nerve - correct answer ✔✔D. ulnar nerve
,The time between traumatic injury and effective treatment that directly influences patient
outcomes is referred to as the:
A. hour of decision
B. transitional hour
C. golden hour
D. trauma hour - correct answer ✔✔C. golden hour
Most medication errors in pediatric care occur because this patient population varies
dramatically in:
A. height
B. age
C. allergic reactions
D. weight - correct answer ✔✔D. weight
Solutions used for manually cleaning flexible endoscopes should be discarded...
A. after they become cloudy
B. after there are visible particulates
C. at the end of the shift
D. after every use - correct answer ✔✔D. after every use
The perioperative RN notes that the patient is taking garlic as a prophylactic cold remedy. This
information is reported to which of the following health care providers?
A. The anesthesia care provider, as the herb can prolong bleeding
B. The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), as there will be less need for electrocautery
C. The AM admit nurse, since it is not necessary to hang an IV prophylactic antibiotic
D. - correct answer ✔✔A. The anesthesia care provider, as the herb can prolong bleeding
, During a local procedure, the nurse notices that the patient is exhibiting a sense of uneasiness,
agitation, coughing, and wheezing. The nurse should suspect a/an:
A. toxic reaction to the local anesthesia
B. allergic reaction to the local anesthesia
C. series of side effects to local anesthesia
D. normal reaction to the local anesthesia - correct answer ✔✔B. allergic reaction to the local
anesthesia
The _________________ lithotomy position is most often associated with compartment
syndrome.
A. frog-leg
B. standard
C. high
D. low - correct answer ✔✔C. high
Which of the following should be considered regarding the integrity of packaging materials?
A. storage area should have air temperature below 75 degrees F
B. steam sterilized items should be placed onto storage shelves to cool at room temperature
C. open-shelving storage units are preferable to closed cupboards
D. storage areas do not need to be secure - correct answer ✔✔A. storage area should have air
temperature below 75 degrees F
Radiation seeds have been removed along with prostatic tissue during a transurethral resection
of the prostate. How should the tissue be handled?
A. kept on the sterile field until the end of the case to prevent exposure to other perioperative
team member
B. Placed at the specimen pickup station for routine transport to pathology
C. Direct transfer to the specimen container
