AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
Questions and Verified Answers,
With rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
Which of the following is the most critical component of surgical
conscience?
A. Performing a surgical hand scrub for exactly 5 minutes
B. Speaking up immediately about any break in sterile technique,
even if unnoticed by others
C. Keeping the operating room temperature at 68°F (20°C)
D. Double-gloving for all surgical procedures
Answer:B
Rationale: Surgical conscience is the ethical foundation of
perioperative nursing, dictating that the practitioner must strictly
adhere to sterile technique and be willing to speak up and admit a
break in technique, even if no one else saw it occur.
According to AORN guidelines, which area of the surgical suite is
considered unrestricted?
A. The operating room
B. The scrub sink area
C. The preoperative holding area
D. The central core of the OR suite
Answer:C
Rationale: The unrestricted area includes the preoperative holding
area and patient admission areas where street clothes are permitted,
and traffic is not limited. The OR, scrub sinks, and core are semi-
restricted or restricted.
,What is the minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) required
when opening a contaminated instrument tray in the
decontamination area?
A. Sterile gloves and a surgical mask
B. Utility gloves, gown, face shield, and shoe covers
C. Single gloves and a paper mask
D. Sterile gown and protective eyewear
Answer:B
Rationale: Handling contaminated instruments requires heavy-duty
utility gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, face protection (shield or mask
with goggles), and shoe covers to protect against bloodborne
pathogen exposure and splashes.
Which fire triangle component is the oxidizer most commonly
present in the OR?
A. Alcohol-based skin prep
B. Oxygen
C. Electrosurgical unit (ESU)
D. Surgical drapes
Answer:B
Rationale: The fire triangle consists of a heat source (ignition), fuel,
and an oxidizer. In the OR, the most common oxidizer is oxygen,
followed by nitrous oxide. Alcohol preps and drapes are fuels; the
ESU is an ignition source.
During a surgical fire on the patient's drape, what is the immediate
first action?
A. Turn off the medical gases
B. Remove the burning materials from the patient
C. Call for the fire extinguisher
, D. Pull the fire alarm
Answer:B
Rationale: The standard algorithm for an OR fire on the patient is: 1)
Remove the burning materials from the patient, 2) Care for the
patient, 3) Extinguish the fire, 4) Evacuate if necessary. Removing
the fuel stops the fire from burning the patient.
A patient is placed in the lithotomy position. Which nerve is most at
risk for injury if the patient's legs are improperly placed in the
stirrups?
A. Ulnar nerve
B. Peroneal nerve
C. Brachial plexus
D. Sciatic nerve
Answer:B
Rationale: The peroneal nerve runs along the lateral aspect of the
knee and fibular head. Pressure from stirrups in the lithotomy
position can cause peroneal nerve injury, leading to foot drop.
What is the appropriate action if a sterile package is dropped on the
floor?
A. Use the item immediately if the package is intact
B. Discard the item because it is considered contaminated
C. Wipe the outside of the package with alcohol and use it
D. Set it aside for 24 hours to allow airborne contaminants to die
Answer:B
Rationale: A sterile package dropped on the floor is considered
contaminated. The impact can force dust and microorganisms
through the packaging material (strike-through), compromising
sterility.
Questions and Verified Answers,
With rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
Which of the following is the most critical component of surgical
conscience?
A. Performing a surgical hand scrub for exactly 5 minutes
B. Speaking up immediately about any break in sterile technique,
even if unnoticed by others
C. Keeping the operating room temperature at 68°F (20°C)
D. Double-gloving for all surgical procedures
Answer:B
Rationale: Surgical conscience is the ethical foundation of
perioperative nursing, dictating that the practitioner must strictly
adhere to sterile technique and be willing to speak up and admit a
break in technique, even if no one else saw it occur.
According to AORN guidelines, which area of the surgical suite is
considered unrestricted?
A. The operating room
B. The scrub sink area
C. The preoperative holding area
D. The central core of the OR suite
Answer:C
Rationale: The unrestricted area includes the preoperative holding
area and patient admission areas where street clothes are permitted,
and traffic is not limited. The OR, scrub sinks, and core are semi-
restricted or restricted.
,What is the minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) required
when opening a contaminated instrument tray in the
decontamination area?
A. Sterile gloves and a surgical mask
B. Utility gloves, gown, face shield, and shoe covers
C. Single gloves and a paper mask
D. Sterile gown and protective eyewear
Answer:B
Rationale: Handling contaminated instruments requires heavy-duty
utility gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, face protection (shield or mask
with goggles), and shoe covers to protect against bloodborne
pathogen exposure and splashes.
Which fire triangle component is the oxidizer most commonly
present in the OR?
A. Alcohol-based skin prep
B. Oxygen
C. Electrosurgical unit (ESU)
D. Surgical drapes
Answer:B
Rationale: The fire triangle consists of a heat source (ignition), fuel,
and an oxidizer. In the OR, the most common oxidizer is oxygen,
followed by nitrous oxide. Alcohol preps and drapes are fuels; the
ESU is an ignition source.
During a surgical fire on the patient's drape, what is the immediate
first action?
A. Turn off the medical gases
B. Remove the burning materials from the patient
C. Call for the fire extinguisher
, D. Pull the fire alarm
Answer:B
Rationale: The standard algorithm for an OR fire on the patient is: 1)
Remove the burning materials from the patient, 2) Care for the
patient, 3) Extinguish the fire, 4) Evacuate if necessary. Removing
the fuel stops the fire from burning the patient.
A patient is placed in the lithotomy position. Which nerve is most at
risk for injury if the patient's legs are improperly placed in the
stirrups?
A. Ulnar nerve
B. Peroneal nerve
C. Brachial plexus
D. Sciatic nerve
Answer:B
Rationale: The peroneal nerve runs along the lateral aspect of the
knee and fibular head. Pressure from stirrups in the lithotomy
position can cause peroneal nerve injury, leading to foot drop.
What is the appropriate action if a sterile package is dropped on the
floor?
A. Use the item immediately if the package is intact
B. Discard the item because it is considered contaminated
C. Wipe the outside of the package with alcohol and use it
D. Set it aside for 24 hours to allow airborne contaminants to die
Answer:B
Rationale: A sterile package dropped on the floor is considered
contaminated. The impact can force dust and microorganisms
through the packaging material (strike-through), compromising
sterility.
