PERIOPERATIVE NURSING ED UCATION · EXAM
PRE PA RATI ON
AORN Periop 101
Final Exam
Study Guide
200 examination-style questions with revised correct
answers and detailed rationales aligned to the AORN
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Covers assessment,
asepsis, infection prevention, instrumentation, anesthesia,
positioning, intraoperative roles, specialty procedures,
emergencies, and professional practice.
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series
Study Guide Questions and Revised Correct Answers, with Verified Rationales for
Targeted Review
2026 – 2027 ED I T I ON · 200 QUES T I ONS · ANS WER KEY
INCLUDED
,AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Revised Correct Answers
(2026-2027)
Study Guide Questions and Revised Correct Answers, Aligned to the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative
Practice
2026-2027 Edition | 200 Questions | Detailed Rationales with Study Strategy Notes | Cognitive Mix: 30%
Recall, 50% Application, 20% Analysis
Table of Contents
Perioperative Patient Assessment and Planning 3
Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique 10
Infection Prevention and Control 19
Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 27
Anesthesia and Medication Management 35
Positioning, Draping, and Patient Safety 43
Intraoperative Nursing Roles 50
Surgical Specialties and Procedures 59
Emergency Situations and Complications 70
Postoperative Care, Ethics, and Professional Practice 75
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 1
,AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
Examination Overview and How to Use This Study Guide
This study guide contains exactly 200 multiple-choice questions organized into 10 sections that follow the
AORN Periop 101 curriculum and the competency domains of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative
Practice. Each question identifies its competency area and cognitive level so that review can be targeted to
weak domains. Approximately 75 percent of the items are scenario-based and require application of sterile
technique, count discipline, medication safety, positioning, and emergency response principles to clinical
situations, while 25 percent assess direct recall of standards and perioperative science.
The recommended study method is a three-pass cycle. In the first pass, answer every question in one
section without looking at the answers and record your choices. In the second pass, read each rationale
completely, including the explanation of why the incorrect options are wrong, because the rationales double
as condensed study content for the tested competency. In the third pass, rework every missed question two
days later and revisit the paired guideline reference. Questions answered incorrectly on the second pass
identify the domains that require textbook and guideline review before the final examination.
Every item lists one best answer marked with the [CORRECT] tag followed by the answer letter and a
rationale citing the relevant AORN guideline, patient safety principle, or commonly confused concept pair,
such as sterile versus clean, monopolar versus bipolar electrosurgery, disinfection versus sterilization, and
PACU Phase I versus Phase II. Use the blueprint table below to plan review sessions by domain.
No. Competency Focus Questions Recall Application Analysis
Perioperative Patient Assessment and
1 Q1 - Q18 (18) 5 10 3
Planning
Q19 - Q40
2 Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique 9 11 2
(22)
Q41 - Q60
3 Infection Prevention and Control 9 7 4
(20)
Q61 - Q82
4 Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 10 7 5
(22)
Q83 - Q102
5 Anesthesia and Medication Management 6 8 6
(20)
Q103 - Q122
6 Positioning, Draping, and Patient Safety 3 13 4
(20)
Q123 - Q145
7 Intraoperative Nursing Roles 6 12 5
(23)
Q146 - Q172
8 Surgical Specialties and Procedures 4 18 5
(27)
Q173 - Q186
9 Emergency Situations and Complications 4 8 2
(14)
Postoperative Care, Ethics, and Professional Q187 - Q200
10 4 6 4
Practice (14)
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 2
, AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
No. Competency Focus Questions Recall Application Analysis
Tota Q1 - Q200
10 sections, full Periop 101 curriculum 60 100 40
l (200)
SECTION 1
Perioperative Patient Assessment and Planning
Preoperative assessment, patient interview, chart review, informed consent, and care planning | Questions
1-18
Q1. [Competency: Patient Interview | Level: Application] A perioperative nurse is interviewing a patient with
spina bifida who is scheduled for corrective spinal fusion surgery. Which assessment question is the
priority for guiding intraoperative care planning?
A. Have you ever experienced an allergic reaction to latex products, such as balloons or
gloves? [CORRECT]
B. Do you have a family history of postoperative nausea and vomiting?
C. What time did you last have something to eat or drink?
D. Do you have a ride home from the surgical facility?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with spina bifida have a well-documented high risk for latex allergy because of
repeated latex exposure from urinary catheterization and surgical procedures beginning in infancy.
Identifying the allergy allows the team to create a latex-safe environment with latex-free gloves, drapes,
and equipment before the patient enters the room, per the AORN Guideline for Preventing Surgical Site
Infections and allergy-screening standards in preoperative assessment. NPO status and ride home are
relevant screening items, but they do not drive intraoperative setup. Study tip: link specific patient
conditions to specific intraoperative planning actions; spina bifida always triggers the latex association on
exams.
Q2. [Competency: Chart Review | Level: Recall] During the preoperative chart review, the perioperative nurse
must verify which of the following items before the patient is transferred to the surgical suite?
A. The surgeon's preferred instrument list for the case
B. A completed, signed, and dated informed consent for the scheduled procedure [CORRECT]
C. The patient's insurance preauthorization status
D. The dietary department's postoperative meal selection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The preoperative chart review confirms that legally required documents are complete,
including the signed and dated informed consent, the history and physical examination, current laboratory
results, and allergy documentation. The consent is a legal requirement that must be verified before
sedation, and its absence is a stop-the-line event. The preference card guides setup but is not a legal
document, and insurance and meal selections have no bearing on readiness for surgery. Study tip:
whenever an answer option mentions a missing or incomplete consent, that option is almost always the
correct escalation priority.
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 3
PRE PA RATI ON
AORN Periop 101
Final Exam
Study Guide
200 examination-style questions with revised correct
answers and detailed rationales aligned to the AORN
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Covers assessment,
asepsis, infection prevention, instrumentation, anesthesia,
positioning, intraoperative roles, specialty procedures,
emergencies, and professional practice.
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series
Study Guide Questions and Revised Correct Answers, with Verified Rationales for
Targeted Review
2026 – 2027 ED I T I ON · 200 QUES T I ONS · ANS WER KEY
INCLUDED
,AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Revised Correct Answers
(2026-2027)
Study Guide Questions and Revised Correct Answers, Aligned to the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative
Practice
2026-2027 Edition | 200 Questions | Detailed Rationales with Study Strategy Notes | Cognitive Mix: 30%
Recall, 50% Application, 20% Analysis
Table of Contents
Perioperative Patient Assessment and Planning 3
Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique 10
Infection Prevention and Control 19
Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 27
Anesthesia and Medication Management 35
Positioning, Draping, and Patient Safety 43
Intraoperative Nursing Roles 50
Surgical Specialties and Procedures 59
Emergency Situations and Complications 70
Postoperative Care, Ethics, and Professional Practice 75
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 1
,AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
Examination Overview and How to Use This Study Guide
This study guide contains exactly 200 multiple-choice questions organized into 10 sections that follow the
AORN Periop 101 curriculum and the competency domains of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative
Practice. Each question identifies its competency area and cognitive level so that review can be targeted to
weak domains. Approximately 75 percent of the items are scenario-based and require application of sterile
technique, count discipline, medication safety, positioning, and emergency response principles to clinical
situations, while 25 percent assess direct recall of standards and perioperative science.
The recommended study method is a three-pass cycle. In the first pass, answer every question in one
section without looking at the answers and record your choices. In the second pass, read each rationale
completely, including the explanation of why the incorrect options are wrong, because the rationales double
as condensed study content for the tested competency. In the third pass, rework every missed question two
days later and revisit the paired guideline reference. Questions answered incorrectly on the second pass
identify the domains that require textbook and guideline review before the final examination.
Every item lists one best answer marked with the [CORRECT] tag followed by the answer letter and a
rationale citing the relevant AORN guideline, patient safety principle, or commonly confused concept pair,
such as sterile versus clean, monopolar versus bipolar electrosurgery, disinfection versus sterilization, and
PACU Phase I versus Phase II. Use the blueprint table below to plan review sessions by domain.
No. Competency Focus Questions Recall Application Analysis
Perioperative Patient Assessment and
1 Q1 - Q18 (18) 5 10 3
Planning
Q19 - Q40
2 Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique 9 11 2
(22)
Q41 - Q60
3 Infection Prevention and Control 9 7 4
(20)
Q61 - Q82
4 Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 10 7 5
(22)
Q83 - Q102
5 Anesthesia and Medication Management 6 8 6
(20)
Q103 - Q122
6 Positioning, Draping, and Patient Safety 3 13 4
(20)
Q123 - Q145
7 Intraoperative Nursing Roles 6 12 5
(23)
Q146 - Q172
8 Surgical Specialties and Procedures 4 18 5
(27)
Q173 - Q186
9 Emergency Situations and Complications 4 8 2
(14)
Postoperative Care, Ethics, and Professional Q187 - Q200
10 4 6 4
Practice (14)
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 2
, AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027 EDITION
No. Competency Focus Questions Recall Application Analysis
Tota Q1 - Q200
10 sections, full Periop 101 curriculum 60 100 40
l (200)
SECTION 1
Perioperative Patient Assessment and Planning
Preoperative assessment, patient interview, chart review, informed consent, and care planning | Questions
1-18
Q1. [Competency: Patient Interview | Level: Application] A perioperative nurse is interviewing a patient with
spina bifida who is scheduled for corrective spinal fusion surgery. Which assessment question is the
priority for guiding intraoperative care planning?
A. Have you ever experienced an allergic reaction to latex products, such as balloons or
gloves? [CORRECT]
B. Do you have a family history of postoperative nausea and vomiting?
C. What time did you last have something to eat or drink?
D. Do you have a ride home from the surgical facility?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with spina bifida have a well-documented high risk for latex allergy because of
repeated latex exposure from urinary catheterization and surgical procedures beginning in infancy.
Identifying the allergy allows the team to create a latex-safe environment with latex-free gloves, drapes,
and equipment before the patient enters the room, per the AORN Guideline for Preventing Surgical Site
Infections and allergy-screening standards in preoperative assessment. NPO status and ride home are
relevant screening items, but they do not drive intraoperative setup. Study tip: link specific patient
conditions to specific intraoperative planning actions; spina bifida always triggers the latex association on
exams.
Q2. [Competency: Chart Review | Level: Recall] During the preoperative chart review, the perioperative nurse
must verify which of the following items before the patient is transferred to the surgical suite?
A. The surgeon's preferred instrument list for the case
B. A completed, signed, and dated informed consent for the scheduled procedure [CORRECT]
C. The patient's insurance preauthorization status
D. The dietary department's postoperative meal selection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The preoperative chart review confirms that legally required documents are complete,
including the signed and dated informed consent, the history and physical examination, current laboratory
results, and allergy documentation. The consent is a legal requirement that must be verified before
sedation, and its absence is a stop-the-line event. The preference card guides setup but is not a legal
document, and insurance and meal selections have no bearing on readiness for surgery. Study tip:
whenever an answer option mentions a missing or incomplete consent, that option is almost always the
correct escalation priority.
Perioperative Nursing Education Review Series 3
