Page 1 of 187
RELIAS OPERATING ROOM - ACUTE A: EXAM ALL
300 RANDOMIZED PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES LATEST VERSION THIS
YEAR
1. What is the PRIMARY purpose of aseptic techniques in the operating room?
A) To sterilize all instruments before use
B) To minimize and control microbial contamination
C) To eliminate all bacteria from the surgical field
D) To ensure patient comfort during surgery
Answer: B Aseptic techniques are designed to minimize and control microbial contamination, not
eliminate all bacteria entirely. Sterilization is one component, but aseptic technique encompasses the
entire process of maintaining sterility throughout the surgical procedure.
, Page 2 of 187
2. A sterile field has been established. Which action would compromise the integrity of the sterile field?
A) Sterile team members facing the sterile field
B) Reaching across the sterile field with unsterile arms
C) Keeping sterile items above waist level
D) Speaking minimally over the sterile field
Answer: B Reaching across the sterile field with unsterile arms compromises sterility. Sterile team
members must maintain a distance of at least 12 inches from the sterile field and should never reach over
it. The field must be constantly monitored for any contamination.
3. A peel pack is being opened for vascular surgery. The instrument contacts the non-sterile outer surface
of the package. How should this situation be addressed?
A) Use the instrument since it was just opened
B) Wipe the instrument with an alcohol prep
, Page 3 of 187
C) Replace the instrument with a new sterile instrument
D) Consider the instrument sterile since the inner package was not touched
Answer: C Any instrument that contacts a non-sterile surface during opening is considered contaminated
and must be replaced with a new sterile instrument. The integrity of the sterile field must be maintained
at all times.
4. Which practice MINIMIZES the risk of sharps injury in the operating room?
A) Recapping needles after use
B) Using hands-free techniques such as a neutral zone
C) Passing sharps directly hand-to-hand
D) Discarding sharps in regular trash containers
Answer: B Hands-free techniques, such as using a neutral zone (a designated area where sharps are
placed and retrieved), significantly reduce the risk of sharps injuries. Recapping needles is discouraged,
and sharps must be disposed of in designated puncture-proof containers.
, Page 4 of 187
5. When opening a sterile package, what is the correct technique for the circulating nurse?
A) Open the package away from the sterile field
B) Open the package towards the sterile field
C) Open the package directly over the sterile field
D) Open the package with unsterile gloves
Answer: A} Circulating nurses should open sterile packages away from the sterile field to prevent
contamination. The outer wrapper should be opened by peeling the edges back without touching the
inner sterile contents.
6. What is the maximum time a sterile field can remain uncovered before it is considered contaminated?
A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
RELIAS OPERATING ROOM - ACUTE A: EXAM ALL
300 RANDOMIZED PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES LATEST VERSION THIS
YEAR
1. What is the PRIMARY purpose of aseptic techniques in the operating room?
A) To sterilize all instruments before use
B) To minimize and control microbial contamination
C) To eliminate all bacteria from the surgical field
D) To ensure patient comfort during surgery
Answer: B Aseptic techniques are designed to minimize and control microbial contamination, not
eliminate all bacteria entirely. Sterilization is one component, but aseptic technique encompasses the
entire process of maintaining sterility throughout the surgical procedure.
, Page 2 of 187
2. A sterile field has been established. Which action would compromise the integrity of the sterile field?
A) Sterile team members facing the sterile field
B) Reaching across the sterile field with unsterile arms
C) Keeping sterile items above waist level
D) Speaking minimally over the sterile field
Answer: B Reaching across the sterile field with unsterile arms compromises sterility. Sterile team
members must maintain a distance of at least 12 inches from the sterile field and should never reach over
it. The field must be constantly monitored for any contamination.
3. A peel pack is being opened for vascular surgery. The instrument contacts the non-sterile outer surface
of the package. How should this situation be addressed?
A) Use the instrument since it was just opened
B) Wipe the instrument with an alcohol prep
, Page 3 of 187
C) Replace the instrument with a new sterile instrument
D) Consider the instrument sterile since the inner package was not touched
Answer: C Any instrument that contacts a non-sterile surface during opening is considered contaminated
and must be replaced with a new sterile instrument. The integrity of the sterile field must be maintained
at all times.
4. Which practice MINIMIZES the risk of sharps injury in the operating room?
A) Recapping needles after use
B) Using hands-free techniques such as a neutral zone
C) Passing sharps directly hand-to-hand
D) Discarding sharps in regular trash containers
Answer: B Hands-free techniques, such as using a neutral zone (a designated area where sharps are
placed and retrieved), significantly reduce the risk of sharps injuries. Recapping needles is discouraged,
and sharps must be disposed of in designated puncture-proof containers.
, Page 4 of 187
5. When opening a sterile package, what is the correct technique for the circulating nurse?
A) Open the package away from the sterile field
B) Open the package towards the sterile field
C) Open the package directly over the sterile field
D) Open the package with unsterile gloves
Answer: A} Circulating nurses should open sterile packages away from the sterile field to prevent
contamination. The outer wrapper should be opened by peeling the edges back without touching the
inner sterile contents.
6. What is the maximum time a sterile field can remain uncovered before it is considered contaminated?
A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
