CNOR Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Internal Chemical Indicators
Correct Answer: Specific to each sterilization method Place a type 5 CI (ie,
integrating indicator) or type 6 CI (ie, emulating indicator) inside every package
Read & interpret results before tray or items are placed on the sterile field
Questionable result? Do not use the item
Question 2.
For patient having surgery on arm w/ tourniquet, intraoperative medical record should
include the RN circulator's documentation of the patient's
Correct Answer: left arm's peripheral pulses distal to the tourniquet cuff
placement
Question 3.
s/s of hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Thirst, concentrated urine, muscle weakness, seizures, coma
Treat w/ fluid
Question 4.
Bariatric patients in surgery
Correct Answer: Supine>> elevate head, used wedge-shaped positioning device
under right side or tilt bed Avoid Trendelenburg
Question 5.
Minimum fasting period for clear liquids
Correct Answer: 2 hours (water, sugar water, apple juice, tea, Pedialyte, black
coffee)
Question 6.
If exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is anticipated, team members
at the sterile field should
Correct Answer: change gloves every 30-60min
Question 7.
Normal Po2
Correct Answer: 80-100 mmHg
Question 8.
At the end of the case, loaned instruments should be
Correct Answer: disassembled, cleaned, decontaminated, inspected, returned to
the lending facility
Question 9.
A 22-year-old male unidentified trauma victim is in the OR undergoing an exploratory
laparotomy as a result of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He is wearing an ID band with
Page 1
,his trauma name and medical record number on his left wrist. The patient's vital signs are
BP 84/60, temperature 36 degrees Celsius, pulse 120. No lab results have been reported.
The patient is intubated and the anesthesia professional is hanging IV normal saline that is
alternating with infusion of the blood products. The massive transfusion protocol was
initiated and 10 units of packed red blood cells have been administered. The surgeon is
removing a metal object that was located in the patient's abdomen and the law
enforcement officer is present in the OR suite. The perioperative RN notices that there is a
blood splash on the floor. Question 2According to the AORN Guidelines, what is an
appropriate action by the surgical technologist for managing the instruments used to
remove the metal object that remain on the sterile field but will no longer been needed for
this procedure?
Correct Answer: Separate the heavy instruments from the more delicate
instruments.
Question 10.
Treatment of hypophosphatemia
Correct Answer: phosphate replacement>> WATCH CALCIUM
Question 11.
Sufentanil (Sufenta)
Correct Answer: For surgical analgesia Advantages: good CV stability, duration
0.5h, prolonged analgesia Disadv: prolonged respiratory depression Potency
15mcg=10mg Morphine sulfate; elimination half life 2.7h
Question 12.
Retention suture
Correct Answer: - provides a secondary suture line - relieves strain
Question 13.
During application of a pneumatic tourniquet to an extremity, the perioperative RN should
position the cuff tubing on or near the ___________ aspect of the extremity.
Correct Answer: lateral
Question 14.
A 67-year-old man was in surgery undergoing a left thoracotomy and removal of a lesion
on the left lung. The RN circulator was relieved for a break. When the RN circulator
returned, the dressings were being applied and the surgical team was ready to transfer
the patient from the OR bed onto his unit bed. The relief RN stated, "Everything is done"
and then went to help the anesthesia professional. The RN circulator helped transport the
patient to the intensive care unit. Four days later, the patient was returned to the
operating room and a laparotomy sponge was removed from his chest. An intensive
committee review of this patient's care occurred after the second surgery.Question
2Several state and federal agencies, accrediting bodies, and professional health care
organizations consider a retained surgical item as a
Correct Answer: sentinel event.
Question 15.
Commonly Used Inhalation Agents
Page 2
,Correct Answer: Isoflurane (Forane) Sevoflurane (Ultane) Desflurane (Suprane)
Question 16.
The periop nurse is preparing a patient for an open reduction and internal fixation of her
ankle. The surgeon requests the used of the pneumatic tourniquet. To prevent
neuromuscular damage, the tourniquet cuff should be positioned at the...
Correct Answer: point of maximum circumference
Question 17.
Your patient is about to undergo a carpal tunnel release. The anesthesia professional asks
you to assist him in applying a double tourniquet. He is going to perform a...
Correct Answer: Bier block
Question 18.
After the perioperative RN has assessed the patient, collected and interpreted data,
identified nursing diagnoses, and established outcomes, what is the next step in the
nursing process?
Correct Answer: Developing a plan of care
Question 19.
Appropriate length of fingernails in OR
Correct Answer: No longer than 2 mm (0.08 inch).
Question 20.
The periop RN is interviewing a 35-year-old female patient in preop area. - scheduled for
right knee arthroscopy - Patient states that she drank a cup of clear tea w/ sugar
approximately 3 hours ago and ate a full dinner 12 hours ago. - unable to shower at home
b/c her water was not working - Vitals are BP 120/80, T 37 degrees Celsius, Pulse 72 and
regular, Respirations 14/min -Lab values are w/in normal limits. Weighs 202 lb (BMI is 31,
and she states that she is healthy with no medical issues and no previous surgery) -No
orders written for preop hair removal. - RN notices a reddened area with several white
bumps in the area of the proposed incision. To apply AORN Guidelines, what is the most
appropriate action for the RN to take regarding removal of hair on the patient's knee?
Correct Answer: Leave the hair in place -- no hair removal is required.
Question 21.
Emergence Phase of Anesthesia
Correct Answer: Stress Aspiration Laryngospasm Hypoventilation
Question 22.
Surgery of the liver requires incising the external covering referred to as
Correct Answer: Glisson's capsule
Question 23.
A healthy 65-year-old man is scheduled for an excision of a dime-sized lesion on his right
shoulder and the physician orders include "local anesthesia." It's a busy day and the RN
circulator asks the patient only about allergies to medications and informs the patient that
the surgeon plans to inject numbing medication into the surgery site. As he is being
Page 3
, wheeled into the operating room, the patient remarks to the RN circulator, "I have never
had a surgery on my shoulder before."The RN replies, "Shoulder? I thought this was on
your forearm. Let's go back to the preoperative area and check this out." After
confirmation that the correct location is the right shoulder, the patient is transported into
the procedure room and the procedure begins with the surgeon administering 10 mL of
lidocaine into the area of incision. During the procedure, the patient appears relaxed and
his baseline vital signs are BP 130/84, temperature 37 degrees Celsius, pulse 76, and
respirations 14 per minute. At approximately 15 minutes into the procedure, the RN
monitoring the patient notifies the physician that the patient's BP is 140/82, pulse is 80,
and respirations are 16 per minute. The surgeon gives the tissue specimen to the surgical
technologist, who places the tissue specimen into the specimen container. The RN
circulator sends the specimen to the laboratory with the patient's information on a label on
the side of the specimen cup. The patient is in the operating room for 25 minutes.
Following the procedure, the perioperative RN meets with his nurse manager. After
reviewing the patient's intraoperative record together, the nurse manager notices that
there is no information about a specimen recorded in the medical record. The nurse
manager points out to the perioperative RN that the Universal Protocol was not followed
for this patient and that the perioperative RN neglected to
Correct Answer: perform a preoperative verification, confirm site marking, and
perform the time-out process.
Question 24.
Gelatin pads used for hemostasis absorb in
Correct Answer: 20-40 days
Question 25.
Interventions when using an ESD on a patient w/ a pacemaker
Correct Answer: - Use a 5-lead ECG system -Conduct continuous cardiac
monitoring whenever pacemaker is deactivated - Have temporary pacing
equipment available - Use bipolar forceps - Keep active electrode away from
pulse generator
Question 26.
After obtaining ordered blood products of platelets and plasma, the perioperative RN
should:
Correct Answer: maintain both products at the appropriate temperature storage
requirements until the time of transfusion.
Question 27.
A 22-year-old male unidentified trauma victim is in the OR undergoing an exploratory
laparotomy as a result of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He is wearing an ID band with
his trauma name and medical record number on his left wrist. The patient's vital signs are
BP 84/60, temperature 36 degrees Celsius, pulse 120. No lab results have been reported.
The patient is intubated and the anesthesia professional is hanging IV normal saline that is
alternating with infusion of the blood products. The massive transfusion protocol was
initiated and 10 units of packed red blood cells have been administered. The surgeon is
removing a metal object that was located in the patient's abdomen and the law
enforcement officer is present in the OR suite. The perioperative RN notices that there is a
blood splash on the floor. The primary assessment of this patient should have included the
Page 4
Question 1.
Internal Chemical Indicators
Correct Answer: Specific to each sterilization method Place a type 5 CI (ie,
integrating indicator) or type 6 CI (ie, emulating indicator) inside every package
Read & interpret results before tray or items are placed on the sterile field
Questionable result? Do not use the item
Question 2.
For patient having surgery on arm w/ tourniquet, intraoperative medical record should
include the RN circulator's documentation of the patient's
Correct Answer: left arm's peripheral pulses distal to the tourniquet cuff
placement
Question 3.
s/s of hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Thirst, concentrated urine, muscle weakness, seizures, coma
Treat w/ fluid
Question 4.
Bariatric patients in surgery
Correct Answer: Supine>> elevate head, used wedge-shaped positioning device
under right side or tilt bed Avoid Trendelenburg
Question 5.
Minimum fasting period for clear liquids
Correct Answer: 2 hours (water, sugar water, apple juice, tea, Pedialyte, black
coffee)
Question 6.
If exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is anticipated, team members
at the sterile field should
Correct Answer: change gloves every 30-60min
Question 7.
Normal Po2
Correct Answer: 80-100 mmHg
Question 8.
At the end of the case, loaned instruments should be
Correct Answer: disassembled, cleaned, decontaminated, inspected, returned to
the lending facility
Question 9.
A 22-year-old male unidentified trauma victim is in the OR undergoing an exploratory
laparotomy as a result of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He is wearing an ID band with
Page 1
,his trauma name and medical record number on his left wrist. The patient's vital signs are
BP 84/60, temperature 36 degrees Celsius, pulse 120. No lab results have been reported.
The patient is intubated and the anesthesia professional is hanging IV normal saline that is
alternating with infusion of the blood products. The massive transfusion protocol was
initiated and 10 units of packed red blood cells have been administered. The surgeon is
removing a metal object that was located in the patient's abdomen and the law
enforcement officer is present in the OR suite. The perioperative RN notices that there is a
blood splash on the floor. Question 2According to the AORN Guidelines, what is an
appropriate action by the surgical technologist for managing the instruments used to
remove the metal object that remain on the sterile field but will no longer been needed for
this procedure?
Correct Answer: Separate the heavy instruments from the more delicate
instruments.
Question 10.
Treatment of hypophosphatemia
Correct Answer: phosphate replacement>> WATCH CALCIUM
Question 11.
Sufentanil (Sufenta)
Correct Answer: For surgical analgesia Advantages: good CV stability, duration
0.5h, prolonged analgesia Disadv: prolonged respiratory depression Potency
15mcg=10mg Morphine sulfate; elimination half life 2.7h
Question 12.
Retention suture
Correct Answer: - provides a secondary suture line - relieves strain
Question 13.
During application of a pneumatic tourniquet to an extremity, the perioperative RN should
position the cuff tubing on or near the ___________ aspect of the extremity.
Correct Answer: lateral
Question 14.
A 67-year-old man was in surgery undergoing a left thoracotomy and removal of a lesion
on the left lung. The RN circulator was relieved for a break. When the RN circulator
returned, the dressings were being applied and the surgical team was ready to transfer
the patient from the OR bed onto his unit bed. The relief RN stated, "Everything is done"
and then went to help the anesthesia professional. The RN circulator helped transport the
patient to the intensive care unit. Four days later, the patient was returned to the
operating room and a laparotomy sponge was removed from his chest. An intensive
committee review of this patient's care occurred after the second surgery.Question
2Several state and federal agencies, accrediting bodies, and professional health care
organizations consider a retained surgical item as a
Correct Answer: sentinel event.
Question 15.
Commonly Used Inhalation Agents
Page 2
,Correct Answer: Isoflurane (Forane) Sevoflurane (Ultane) Desflurane (Suprane)
Question 16.
The periop nurse is preparing a patient for an open reduction and internal fixation of her
ankle. The surgeon requests the used of the pneumatic tourniquet. To prevent
neuromuscular damage, the tourniquet cuff should be positioned at the...
Correct Answer: point of maximum circumference
Question 17.
Your patient is about to undergo a carpal tunnel release. The anesthesia professional asks
you to assist him in applying a double tourniquet. He is going to perform a...
Correct Answer: Bier block
Question 18.
After the perioperative RN has assessed the patient, collected and interpreted data,
identified nursing diagnoses, and established outcomes, what is the next step in the
nursing process?
Correct Answer: Developing a plan of care
Question 19.
Appropriate length of fingernails in OR
Correct Answer: No longer than 2 mm (0.08 inch).
Question 20.
The periop RN is interviewing a 35-year-old female patient in preop area. - scheduled for
right knee arthroscopy - Patient states that she drank a cup of clear tea w/ sugar
approximately 3 hours ago and ate a full dinner 12 hours ago. - unable to shower at home
b/c her water was not working - Vitals are BP 120/80, T 37 degrees Celsius, Pulse 72 and
regular, Respirations 14/min -Lab values are w/in normal limits. Weighs 202 lb (BMI is 31,
and she states that she is healthy with no medical issues and no previous surgery) -No
orders written for preop hair removal. - RN notices a reddened area with several white
bumps in the area of the proposed incision. To apply AORN Guidelines, what is the most
appropriate action for the RN to take regarding removal of hair on the patient's knee?
Correct Answer: Leave the hair in place -- no hair removal is required.
Question 21.
Emergence Phase of Anesthesia
Correct Answer: Stress Aspiration Laryngospasm Hypoventilation
Question 22.
Surgery of the liver requires incising the external covering referred to as
Correct Answer: Glisson's capsule
Question 23.
A healthy 65-year-old man is scheduled for an excision of a dime-sized lesion on his right
shoulder and the physician orders include "local anesthesia." It's a busy day and the RN
circulator asks the patient only about allergies to medications and informs the patient that
the surgeon plans to inject numbing medication into the surgery site. As he is being
Page 3
, wheeled into the operating room, the patient remarks to the RN circulator, "I have never
had a surgery on my shoulder before."The RN replies, "Shoulder? I thought this was on
your forearm. Let's go back to the preoperative area and check this out." After
confirmation that the correct location is the right shoulder, the patient is transported into
the procedure room and the procedure begins with the surgeon administering 10 mL of
lidocaine into the area of incision. During the procedure, the patient appears relaxed and
his baseline vital signs are BP 130/84, temperature 37 degrees Celsius, pulse 76, and
respirations 14 per minute. At approximately 15 minutes into the procedure, the RN
monitoring the patient notifies the physician that the patient's BP is 140/82, pulse is 80,
and respirations are 16 per minute. The surgeon gives the tissue specimen to the surgical
technologist, who places the tissue specimen into the specimen container. The RN
circulator sends the specimen to the laboratory with the patient's information on a label on
the side of the specimen cup. The patient is in the operating room for 25 minutes.
Following the procedure, the perioperative RN meets with his nurse manager. After
reviewing the patient's intraoperative record together, the nurse manager notices that
there is no information about a specimen recorded in the medical record. The nurse
manager points out to the perioperative RN that the Universal Protocol was not followed
for this patient and that the perioperative RN neglected to
Correct Answer: perform a preoperative verification, confirm site marking, and
perform the time-out process.
Question 24.
Gelatin pads used for hemostasis absorb in
Correct Answer: 20-40 days
Question 25.
Interventions when using an ESD on a patient w/ a pacemaker
Correct Answer: - Use a 5-lead ECG system -Conduct continuous cardiac
monitoring whenever pacemaker is deactivated - Have temporary pacing
equipment available - Use bipolar forceps - Keep active electrode away from
pulse generator
Question 26.
After obtaining ordered blood products of platelets and plasma, the perioperative RN
should:
Correct Answer: maintain both products at the appropriate temperature storage
requirements until the time of transfusion.
Question 27.
A 22-year-old male unidentified trauma victim is in the OR undergoing an exploratory
laparotomy as a result of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He is wearing an ID band with
his trauma name and medical record number on his left wrist. The patient's vital signs are
BP 84/60, temperature 36 degrees Celsius, pulse 120. No lab results have been reported.
The patient is intubated and the anesthesia professional is hanging IV normal saline that is
alternating with infusion of the blood products. The massive transfusion protocol was
initiated and 10 units of packed red blood cells have been administered. The surgeon is
removing a metal object that was located in the patient's abdomen and the law
enforcement officer is present in the OR suite. The perioperative RN notices that there is a
blood splash on the floor. The primary assessment of this patient should have included the
Page 4
