Perioperative Nursing Practice Exam
Perioperative Nursing Fundamentals
Comprehensive Practice Exam
60 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Covering: Surgical Asepsis • Counts • Positioning • Electrosurgery • Sterilization
Specimen Handling • Infection Prevention • Documentation • Anesthesia • Fire Safety • Scrubbing/Gowning •
Wound Classification
Note: This is an original, independently written practice exam covering general perioperative nursing concepts. It is not
affiliated with or a reproduction of any commercial exam bank or copyrighted question set.
Page 1
, Perioperative Nursing Practice Exam
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Section 1: Principles of Surgical Asepsis................................................................................................................. 3
Section 2: Instrument, Sponge, and Sharps Counts .................................................................................................. 5
Section 3: Patient Positioning ................................................................................................................................. 7
Section 4: Electrosurgical Unit (ESU) Safety .......................................................................................................... 9
Section 5: Sterilization and Disinfection ............................................................................................................... 11
Section 6: Specimen Care and Handling................................................................................................................ 13
Section 7: Infection Prevention and Surgical Site Infections (SSI) ......................................................................... 15
Section 8: Perioperative Documentation and the Nursing Process .......................................................................... 17
Section 9: Anesthesia Basics for the Perioperative Nurse....................................................................................... 19
Section 10: Fire Safety in the Operating Room ...................................................................................................... 21
Section 11: Surgical Scrubbing, Gowning, and Gloving ........................................................................................ 23
Section 12: Wound Classification and Healing ...................................................................................................... 25
Page 2
, Perioperative Nursing Practice Exam
Section 1: Principles of Surgical Asepsis
Question 1. Which statement best reflects a core principle of surgical asepsis in the operating room?
A. Only the scrubbed team must avoid touching non-sterile items
B. Sterile fields are created as far in advance as possible to save time
C. Only sterile items may touch other sterile items; anything touching a non-sterile item is considered
contaminated
D. Items below waist level remain sterile as long as they are draped
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The foundational rule of aseptic technique is that sterile touches sterile and non-sterile touches non-
sterile. Any break in that rule, regardless of who caused it, contaminates the item or field. Sterile fields should be
prepared as close to time of use as possible (not far in advance), and anything below the level of the sterile
field/table, including draped areas below the waist, is considered non-sterile because it is out of the direct line of
sight of the team.
Question 2. A sterile field is considered contaminated when strike-through occurs. What does 'strike-through' mean?
A. A sterile item is opened onto the field using a flip technique
B. Moisture soaks through sterile drape material, allowing microorganisms to migrate from a non-sterile surface
underneath
C. A team member reaches across the sterile field to hand off an instrument
D. An instrument is dropped and picked back up quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Strike-through refers to the wicking of moisture through porous or inadequately barrier-protected drape
material. Because moisture can carry microorganisms, once a sterile drape becomes wet through to a non-sterile
surface, the sterile field is considered contaminated at that point, even though nothing visibly touched it.
Question 3. How far is the recognized minimum safe distance a non-sterile person should stay away from a sterile
field to avoid contamination?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 36 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A minimum of 12 inches is generally recognized as the safe distance non-scrubbed personnel should
maintain from a sterile field, since air currents and unintentional contact become more likely at closer distances.
Question 4. Briefly explain why the edges of a sterile wrapper or sterile field are not considered sterile.
Correct Answer: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile field/wrapper is considered non-sterile because it is the
area handled while opening the package and is nearest to non-sterile surfaces.
Rationale: Once a sterile package is opened, the outermost edge (traditionally the outer 1 inch) is treated as a
boundary/transition zone. It is handled during unwrapping and lies closest to non-sterile surroundings, so it cannot
be guaranteed sterile and items should not be placed there.
Question 5. During the surgical count, which of the following best describes correct practice regarding sterile fields
and traffic patterns?
A. Doors may open and close freely as long as the sterile field is covered
B. Traffic in and out of the OR should be minimized during the procedure to reduce airborne contamination
C. Only the circulator's movement affects the sterile field
D. Air turbulence has no effect on sterility once drapes are placed
Page 3
Perioperative Nursing Fundamentals
Comprehensive Practice Exam
60 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Covering: Surgical Asepsis • Counts • Positioning • Electrosurgery • Sterilization
Specimen Handling • Infection Prevention • Documentation • Anesthesia • Fire Safety • Scrubbing/Gowning •
Wound Classification
Note: This is an original, independently written practice exam covering general perioperative nursing concepts. It is not
affiliated with or a reproduction of any commercial exam bank or copyrighted question set.
Page 1
, Perioperative Nursing Practice Exam
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Section 1: Principles of Surgical Asepsis................................................................................................................. 3
Section 2: Instrument, Sponge, and Sharps Counts .................................................................................................. 5
Section 3: Patient Positioning ................................................................................................................................. 7
Section 4: Electrosurgical Unit (ESU) Safety .......................................................................................................... 9
Section 5: Sterilization and Disinfection ............................................................................................................... 11
Section 6: Specimen Care and Handling................................................................................................................ 13
Section 7: Infection Prevention and Surgical Site Infections (SSI) ......................................................................... 15
Section 8: Perioperative Documentation and the Nursing Process .......................................................................... 17
Section 9: Anesthesia Basics for the Perioperative Nurse....................................................................................... 19
Section 10: Fire Safety in the Operating Room ...................................................................................................... 21
Section 11: Surgical Scrubbing, Gowning, and Gloving ........................................................................................ 23
Section 12: Wound Classification and Healing ...................................................................................................... 25
Page 2
, Perioperative Nursing Practice Exam
Section 1: Principles of Surgical Asepsis
Question 1. Which statement best reflects a core principle of surgical asepsis in the operating room?
A. Only the scrubbed team must avoid touching non-sterile items
B. Sterile fields are created as far in advance as possible to save time
C. Only sterile items may touch other sterile items; anything touching a non-sterile item is considered
contaminated
D. Items below waist level remain sterile as long as they are draped
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The foundational rule of aseptic technique is that sterile touches sterile and non-sterile touches non-
sterile. Any break in that rule, regardless of who caused it, contaminates the item or field. Sterile fields should be
prepared as close to time of use as possible (not far in advance), and anything below the level of the sterile
field/table, including draped areas below the waist, is considered non-sterile because it is out of the direct line of
sight of the team.
Question 2. A sterile field is considered contaminated when strike-through occurs. What does 'strike-through' mean?
A. A sterile item is opened onto the field using a flip technique
B. Moisture soaks through sterile drape material, allowing microorganisms to migrate from a non-sterile surface
underneath
C. A team member reaches across the sterile field to hand off an instrument
D. An instrument is dropped and picked back up quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Strike-through refers to the wicking of moisture through porous or inadequately barrier-protected drape
material. Because moisture can carry microorganisms, once a sterile drape becomes wet through to a non-sterile
surface, the sterile field is considered contaminated at that point, even though nothing visibly touched it.
Question 3. How far is the recognized minimum safe distance a non-sterile person should stay away from a sterile
field to avoid contamination?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 36 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A minimum of 12 inches is generally recognized as the safe distance non-scrubbed personnel should
maintain from a sterile field, since air currents and unintentional contact become more likely at closer distances.
Question 4. Briefly explain why the edges of a sterile wrapper or sterile field are not considered sterile.
Correct Answer: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile field/wrapper is considered non-sterile because it is the
area handled while opening the package and is nearest to non-sterile surfaces.
Rationale: Once a sterile package is opened, the outermost edge (traditionally the outer 1 inch) is treated as a
boundary/transition zone. It is handled during unwrapping and lies closest to non-sterile surroundings, so it cannot
be guaranteed sterile and items should not be placed there.
Question 5. During the surgical count, which of the following best describes correct practice regarding sterile fields
and traffic patterns?
A. Doors may open and close freely as long as the sterile field is covered
B. Traffic in and out of the OR should be minimized during the procedure to reduce airborne contamination
C. Only the circulator's movement affects the sterile field
D. Air turbulence has no effect on sterility once drapes are placed
Page 3
