AORN PERIOP 101 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 | 100%
Verified Complete Solutions with Detailed Rationales |
Perioperative Nursing | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
MODULE 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS AND STERILE TECHNIQUE (15 Questions)
Key Concepts:
Surgical Asepsis Principles:
● Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all microorganisms from objects
and areas, achieved through sterilization and sterile field maintenance
● Sterile field includes draped areas, sterile equipment, and the gown front and
sleeves of sterile team members from 2 inches above the elbow to the sterile
glove cuffs
● Only sterile items touch sterile items; non-sterile items touch only non-sterile
items
● Edges of sterile fields (1-inch perimeter) are considered contaminated
● Sterile team members must maintain visual contact with sterile fields; turned
backs compromise sterility
● Movement within sterile fields should be minimal and face sterile areas; passing
between two sterile fields contaminates both
● Tables are sterile only at table level; items below table level are non-sterile
Surgical Hand Scrub:
● Purpose: reduce resident and transient flora on hands and forearms
● Duration: 2-5 minutes depending on product (brushless preferred over brush
scrubs)
● Technique: systematic cleaning of nails, hands, and forearms with antimicrobial
agent
● Hands kept above elbows throughout to allow water to flow from clean to less
clean
Gowning and Gloving:
, ● Sterile gowns provide barrier protection; only front from chest to sterile field level
and sleeves 2 inches above elbow to cuff are sterile
● Closed gloving: preferred method for initial gloving; hands never extend beyond
gown cuffs
● Open gloving: used for re-gloving during procedure; bare hand touches only glove
cuff
● Double gloving recommended for invasive procedures; reduces SSI risk and
protects from sharps injuries
Sterilization Methods:
● Steam (autoclave): preferred method for heat-stable items; 250-270°F, 15-30
minutes depending on cycle
● Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma: low-temperature; compatible with
heat/moisture-sensitive items; no aeration required
● Ethylene oxide (EtO): low-temperature; requires aeration; carcinogenic; used for
heat/moisture-sensitive items
● Peracetic acid: liquid chemical sterilization; immersion required; limited reuse
Common Breaks in Technique:
● Reaching across sterile fields
● Dropping items below waist level
● Touching non-sterile items with sterile gloves
● Moisture penetrating sterile barriers (strike-through)
● Excessive movement causing air currents and contamination
Practice Questions:
Q1: A scrubbed surgical technologist needs to adjust the overhead surgical light during
a procedure. The light handle is covered with a sterile drape. Which action
demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. The technologist reaches across the sterile field to grasp the light handle directly
[CORRECT]
,B. The circulating nurse adjusts the light from the non-sterile area using the non-sterile
control panel
C. The technologist turns completely around, breaking visual contact with the sterile
field, to reach the light handle
D. The technologist asks an unscrubbed assistant to reach over the field and adjust the
light handle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sterile light handle cover allows the sterile team member to adjust the
light while maintaining sterile technique. Reaching across the sterile field is acceptable
when contacting a sterile item (the draped handle) and maintaining visual contact with
the main sterile field. Distractor analysis: B is incorrect because it delays the procedure
and is unnecessary when sterile access exists. C is incorrect because turning the back
to the sterile field compromises the integrity of the sterile gown front and breaks visual
contact, potentially contaminating the field through unobserved contact. D is incorrect
because unscrubbed personnel reaching over sterile fields violates the principle that
non-sterile items must not cross over sterile fields (potential for contamination from
skin, clothing, or respiratory droplets). Per AORN guidelines, sterile team members
should adjust sterile equipment themselves when possible to minimize traffic and
contamination risks.
Q2: During a surgical procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture has wicked through
the sterile gown sleeve, making the inner cuff visibly wet. What is the priority action?
A. Continue the procedure with caution, as the moisture is minimal
B. Immediately change the gown and gloves using appropriate technique [CORRECT]
, C. Cover the wet area with a sterile towel and continue
D. Apply sterile gauze over the wet cuff and proceed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture penetrating sterile barriers (strike-through) creates a conduit for
microorganisms to transfer from non-sterile inner layers to the sterile outer surface,
compromising asepsis. AORN guidelines require immediate change of contaminated
barriers. Distractor analysis: A violates sterile technique principles and puts the patient
at risk for surgical site infection. C and D are inadequate because they do not address
the underlying breach; moisture continues to wick, and microorganisms can penetrate.
The only acceptable response is complete replacement of compromised barriers using
closed or assisted gloving technique as appropriate to the situation.
Q3: [Select-All-That-Apply] Which of the following are considered sterile areas on a
properly gowned and gloved sterile team member? (Select all that apply)
A. The back of the gown below the shoulder blades
B. The gown front from chest to level of the sterile field [CORRECT]
C. The sleeves from 2 inches above the elbow to the cuff [CORRECT]
D. The gloved hands and fingers [CORRECT]
E. The neckline and shoulders of the gown
F. The area below the waist of the gown
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Verified Complete Solutions with Detailed Rationales |
Perioperative Nursing | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
MODULE 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS AND STERILE TECHNIQUE (15 Questions)
Key Concepts:
Surgical Asepsis Principles:
● Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all microorganisms from objects
and areas, achieved through sterilization and sterile field maintenance
● Sterile field includes draped areas, sterile equipment, and the gown front and
sleeves of sterile team members from 2 inches above the elbow to the sterile
glove cuffs
● Only sterile items touch sterile items; non-sterile items touch only non-sterile
items
● Edges of sterile fields (1-inch perimeter) are considered contaminated
● Sterile team members must maintain visual contact with sterile fields; turned
backs compromise sterility
● Movement within sterile fields should be minimal and face sterile areas; passing
between two sterile fields contaminates both
● Tables are sterile only at table level; items below table level are non-sterile
Surgical Hand Scrub:
● Purpose: reduce resident and transient flora on hands and forearms
● Duration: 2-5 minutes depending on product (brushless preferred over brush
scrubs)
● Technique: systematic cleaning of nails, hands, and forearms with antimicrobial
agent
● Hands kept above elbows throughout to allow water to flow from clean to less
clean
Gowning and Gloving:
, ● Sterile gowns provide barrier protection; only front from chest to sterile field level
and sleeves 2 inches above elbow to cuff are sterile
● Closed gloving: preferred method for initial gloving; hands never extend beyond
gown cuffs
● Open gloving: used for re-gloving during procedure; bare hand touches only glove
cuff
● Double gloving recommended for invasive procedures; reduces SSI risk and
protects from sharps injuries
Sterilization Methods:
● Steam (autoclave): preferred method for heat-stable items; 250-270°F, 15-30
minutes depending on cycle
● Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma: low-temperature; compatible with
heat/moisture-sensitive items; no aeration required
● Ethylene oxide (EtO): low-temperature; requires aeration; carcinogenic; used for
heat/moisture-sensitive items
● Peracetic acid: liquid chemical sterilization; immersion required; limited reuse
Common Breaks in Technique:
● Reaching across sterile fields
● Dropping items below waist level
● Touching non-sterile items with sterile gloves
● Moisture penetrating sterile barriers (strike-through)
● Excessive movement causing air currents and contamination
Practice Questions:
Q1: A scrubbed surgical technologist needs to adjust the overhead surgical light during
a procedure. The light handle is covered with a sterile drape. Which action
demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. The technologist reaches across the sterile field to grasp the light handle directly
[CORRECT]
,B. The circulating nurse adjusts the light from the non-sterile area using the non-sterile
control panel
C. The technologist turns completely around, breaking visual contact with the sterile
field, to reach the light handle
D. The technologist asks an unscrubbed assistant to reach over the field and adjust the
light handle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sterile light handle cover allows the sterile team member to adjust the
light while maintaining sterile technique. Reaching across the sterile field is acceptable
when contacting a sterile item (the draped handle) and maintaining visual contact with
the main sterile field. Distractor analysis: B is incorrect because it delays the procedure
and is unnecessary when sterile access exists. C is incorrect because turning the back
to the sterile field compromises the integrity of the sterile gown front and breaks visual
contact, potentially contaminating the field through unobserved contact. D is incorrect
because unscrubbed personnel reaching over sterile fields violates the principle that
non-sterile items must not cross over sterile fields (potential for contamination from
skin, clothing, or respiratory droplets). Per AORN guidelines, sterile team members
should adjust sterile equipment themselves when possible to minimize traffic and
contamination risks.
Q2: During a surgical procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture has wicked through
the sterile gown sleeve, making the inner cuff visibly wet. What is the priority action?
A. Continue the procedure with caution, as the moisture is minimal
B. Immediately change the gown and gloves using appropriate technique [CORRECT]
, C. Cover the wet area with a sterile towel and continue
D. Apply sterile gauze over the wet cuff and proceed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture penetrating sterile barriers (strike-through) creates a conduit for
microorganisms to transfer from non-sterile inner layers to the sterile outer surface,
compromising asepsis. AORN guidelines require immediate change of contaminated
barriers. Distractor analysis: A violates sterile technique principles and puts the patient
at risk for surgical site infection. C and D are inadequate because they do not address
the underlying breach; moisture continues to wick, and microorganisms can penetrate.
The only acceptable response is complete replacement of compromised barriers using
closed or assisted gloving technique as appropriate to the situation.
Q3: [Select-All-That-Apply] Which of the following are considered sterile areas on a
properly gowned and gloved sterile team member? (Select all that apply)
A. The back of the gown below the shoulder blades
B. The gown front from chest to level of the sterile field [CORRECT]
C. The sleeves from 2 inches above the elbow to the cuff [CORRECT]
D. The gloved hands and fingers [CORRECT]
E. The neckline and shoulders of the gown
F. The area below the waist of the gown
Correct Answer: B, C, D
