2026 AORN Periop 101 Final Exam New Latest Version
with All 150 Questions with 100% Correct Answers and
Rationale
Question 1
The perioperative registered nurse’s primary role throughout the entire perioperative experience
is to:
A) Serve as the patient’s advocate
B) Manage the sterile field
C) Document the surgical counts
D) Coordinate room turnover
Correct Answer: A) Serve as the patient’s advocate
Rationale: AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice (2025): “The perioperative RN is the
patient’s advocate at all times the patient is in the perioperative environment.” All other tasks are
important but secondary to advocacy.
Question 2
According to current AORN guidelines, the recommended relative humidity range in the
operating room is:
A) 20–60%
B) 30–60%
C) < 30%
D) > 70%
Correct Answer: B) 30–60%
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Environmental Controls (2025) and ASHRAE Standard 170-
2021: OR relative humidity must be maintained between 30–60% to reduce microbial growth
and minimize static electricity/fire risk.
Question 3
The three components of the fire triangle are:
A) Fuel, oxygen, ignition source
B) Fuel, heat, chemical reaction
C) Oxygen, heat, chemical chain reaction
D) Ignition source, nitrogen, fuel
Correct Answer: A) Fuel, oxygen, ignition source
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Fire Prevention of Surgical Fires (2025): Removing any one
element prevents fire.
Question 4
The first case of the day is preferred for a patient with a documented natural rubber latex allergy
because:
A) Airborne latex aeroallergen levels are lowest in the morning
B) Anesthesia providers are fresher
C) Faster room turnover
D) Lower room temperature
Correct Answer: A) Airborne latex aeroallergen levels are lowest in the morning
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Latex-Sensitive Patients (2025): Latex particles on powder
,settle overnight; first case minimizes exposure.
Question 5
When performing preoperative skin antisepsis on an extremity, the prep should begin:
A) At the incision site and move outward in a circular motion
B) At the periphery and move toward the incision
C) With alcohol only
D) No specific direction
Correct Answer: A) At the incision site and move outward in a circular motion
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Preoperative Patient Skin Antisepsis (2025): Start at intended
incision site and work outward to push contaminants away.
Question 6
The minimum number of air changes per hour required in a Class C operating room is:
A) 20
B) 15
C) 25
D) 10
Correct Answer: A) 20
Rationale: FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals (2022) and AORN:
Positive-pressure ORs require ≥ 20 total air changes per hour, with ≥ 4 of outside air.
Question 7
When a counted sponge is accidentally dropped off the sterile field, the correct action is to:
A) Retrieve it with a sterile instrument and place in a plastic bag off the field
B) Leave it on the floor until the case ends
C) Pick it up with gloved hand and return to field
D) Ignore it
Correct Answer: A) Retrieve it with a sterile instrument and place in a plastic bag off the
field
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Prevention of Retained Surgical Items (2025): Dropped items
are considered contaminated; must be removed from circulation and bagged for count
reconciliation.
Question 8
The perioperative RN may delegate which of the following tasks to the surgical technologist?
A) Performing the initial sponge count
B) Documenting nursing assessment
C) Administering IV moderate sedation
D) Performing patient skin prep
Correct Answer: A) Performing the initial sponge count
Rationale: AORN Position Statement on RN Circulator (2025): The RN may delegate the
physical performance of counting, but remains accountable for accuracy and reconciliation.
Question 9
The correct sequence for opening a wrapped sterile package onto the back table is:
A) Nearest flap → side flaps → farthest flap
B) Farthest flap first
C) Side flaps first
D) Any order
Correct Answer: A) Nearest flap → side flaps → farthest flap
, Rationale: AORN Guideline for Sterile Technique: Prevents reaching over sterile contents.
Question 10
During the preoperative verification process (Universal Protocol), the entire team must verbally
confirm:
A) Patient identity, procedure, site/side, and consent
B) Anesthesia type only
C) Blood availability
D) Surgeon preference card
Correct Answer: A) Patient identity, procedure, site/side, and consent
Rationale: The Joint Commission/AORN Universal Protocol (2025): Mandatory verbal
confirmation by all team members before incision.
Question 11
The sterile field becomes contaminated when a non-scrubbed person leans over the back table.
The correct immediate action is to:
A) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel
B) Replace the entire sterile setup
C) Wipe with 70% alcohol
D) Document the event only
Correct Answer: B) Replace the entire sterile setup
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Sterile Technique (2025): Any known contamination requires
complete removal and replacement of all sterile items on the field.
Question 12
According to current AORN surgical attire guidelines, scrub attire must be:
A) Tucked in or a one-piece jumpsuit
B) Untucked and loose
C) Long-sleeved at all times
D) Made of personal cloth
Correct Answer: A) Tucked in or a one-piece jumpsuit
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Surgical Attire (2025): Scrub tops must be secured by tucking
or be a one-piece design to contain skin squames and prevent strike-through.
Question 13
The minimum number of personnel required for safe lateral transfer of an anesthetized adult
patient from OR table to stretcher is:
A) 4
B) 3
C) 5
D) 2
Correct Answer: A) 4
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Safe Patient Handling and Movement (2025): One person
secures the head and airway + three additional personnel to slide the patient.
Question 14
When malignant hyperthermia is suspected, the very first medication the RN circulator should
prepare and administer is:
A) Dantrolene
B) Sodium bicarbonate
C) Procainamide
with All 150 Questions with 100% Correct Answers and
Rationale
Question 1
The perioperative registered nurse’s primary role throughout the entire perioperative experience
is to:
A) Serve as the patient’s advocate
B) Manage the sterile field
C) Document the surgical counts
D) Coordinate room turnover
Correct Answer: A) Serve as the patient’s advocate
Rationale: AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice (2025): “The perioperative RN is the
patient’s advocate at all times the patient is in the perioperative environment.” All other tasks are
important but secondary to advocacy.
Question 2
According to current AORN guidelines, the recommended relative humidity range in the
operating room is:
A) 20–60%
B) 30–60%
C) < 30%
D) > 70%
Correct Answer: B) 30–60%
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Environmental Controls (2025) and ASHRAE Standard 170-
2021: OR relative humidity must be maintained between 30–60% to reduce microbial growth
and minimize static electricity/fire risk.
Question 3
The three components of the fire triangle are:
A) Fuel, oxygen, ignition source
B) Fuel, heat, chemical reaction
C) Oxygen, heat, chemical chain reaction
D) Ignition source, nitrogen, fuel
Correct Answer: A) Fuel, oxygen, ignition source
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Fire Prevention of Surgical Fires (2025): Removing any one
element prevents fire.
Question 4
The first case of the day is preferred for a patient with a documented natural rubber latex allergy
because:
A) Airborne latex aeroallergen levels are lowest in the morning
B) Anesthesia providers are fresher
C) Faster room turnover
D) Lower room temperature
Correct Answer: A) Airborne latex aeroallergen levels are lowest in the morning
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Latex-Sensitive Patients (2025): Latex particles on powder
,settle overnight; first case minimizes exposure.
Question 5
When performing preoperative skin antisepsis on an extremity, the prep should begin:
A) At the incision site and move outward in a circular motion
B) At the periphery and move toward the incision
C) With alcohol only
D) No specific direction
Correct Answer: A) At the incision site and move outward in a circular motion
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Preoperative Patient Skin Antisepsis (2025): Start at intended
incision site and work outward to push contaminants away.
Question 6
The minimum number of air changes per hour required in a Class C operating room is:
A) 20
B) 15
C) 25
D) 10
Correct Answer: A) 20
Rationale: FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals (2022) and AORN:
Positive-pressure ORs require ≥ 20 total air changes per hour, with ≥ 4 of outside air.
Question 7
When a counted sponge is accidentally dropped off the sterile field, the correct action is to:
A) Retrieve it with a sterile instrument and place in a plastic bag off the field
B) Leave it on the floor until the case ends
C) Pick it up with gloved hand and return to field
D) Ignore it
Correct Answer: A) Retrieve it with a sterile instrument and place in a plastic bag off the
field
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Prevention of Retained Surgical Items (2025): Dropped items
are considered contaminated; must be removed from circulation and bagged for count
reconciliation.
Question 8
The perioperative RN may delegate which of the following tasks to the surgical technologist?
A) Performing the initial sponge count
B) Documenting nursing assessment
C) Administering IV moderate sedation
D) Performing patient skin prep
Correct Answer: A) Performing the initial sponge count
Rationale: AORN Position Statement on RN Circulator (2025): The RN may delegate the
physical performance of counting, but remains accountable for accuracy and reconciliation.
Question 9
The correct sequence for opening a wrapped sterile package onto the back table is:
A) Nearest flap → side flaps → farthest flap
B) Farthest flap first
C) Side flaps first
D) Any order
Correct Answer: A) Nearest flap → side flaps → farthest flap
, Rationale: AORN Guideline for Sterile Technique: Prevents reaching over sterile contents.
Question 10
During the preoperative verification process (Universal Protocol), the entire team must verbally
confirm:
A) Patient identity, procedure, site/side, and consent
B) Anesthesia type only
C) Blood availability
D) Surgeon preference card
Correct Answer: A) Patient identity, procedure, site/side, and consent
Rationale: The Joint Commission/AORN Universal Protocol (2025): Mandatory verbal
confirmation by all team members before incision.
Question 11
The sterile field becomes contaminated when a non-scrubbed person leans over the back table.
The correct immediate action is to:
A) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel
B) Replace the entire sterile setup
C) Wipe with 70% alcohol
D) Document the event only
Correct Answer: B) Replace the entire sterile setup
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Sterile Technique (2025): Any known contamination requires
complete removal and replacement of all sterile items on the field.
Question 12
According to current AORN surgical attire guidelines, scrub attire must be:
A) Tucked in or a one-piece jumpsuit
B) Untucked and loose
C) Long-sleeved at all times
D) Made of personal cloth
Correct Answer: A) Tucked in or a one-piece jumpsuit
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Surgical Attire (2025): Scrub tops must be secured by tucking
or be a one-piece design to contain skin squames and prevent strike-through.
Question 13
The minimum number of personnel required for safe lateral transfer of an anesthetized adult
patient from OR table to stretcher is:
A) 4
B) 3
C) 5
D) 2
Correct Answer: A) 4
Rationale: AORN Guideline for Safe Patient Handling and Movement (2025): One person
secures the head and airway + three additional personnel to slide the patient.
Question 14
When malignant hyperthermia is suspected, the very first medication the RN circulator should
prepare and administer is:
A) Dantrolene
B) Sodium bicarbonate
C) Procainamide
