1
AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM LATEST ALL 18O QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)/AGRADE
1. A perioperative registered nurse is preparing to participate in the
surgical care of a patient who is scheduled for an elective procedure.
During the preoperative assessment, the nurse reviews the patient's
medical history, allergies, medications, previous surgical experiences,
laboratory findings, and current physical condition while also
confirming that the operative consent and other required documentation
are available. Which action by the perioperative nurse is MOST
appropriate before the patient is transported into the operating room?
A. Confirm that the patient has received all prescribed medications and
immediately administer any remaining medication without further
verification
B. Complete the required patient identification, procedure, site, allergy,
consent, and preoperative verification processes according to facility
policy
C. Allow the surgical team to determine the patient's identity after the
patient arrives in the operating room
D. Verify only the patient's name because the surgical procedure and
operative site are the responsibility of the surgeon
Answer: B
2. A patient arrives in the preoperative area for a scheduled surgical
procedure and is accompanied by a family member. The patient appears
anxious and repeatedly states that the planned operation is being
performed on the wrong side of the body. The documentation in the
medical record appears to identify the opposite side as the operative site.
What should the perioperative nurse do FIRST?
A. Reassure the patient that the surgeon has reviewed the procedure and
proceed with preparation
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B. Ask the family member which side the surgeon discussed during the
office visit
C. Stop the preparation process and resolve the discrepancy through the
appropriate verification process before the procedure continues
D. Allow the anesthesia professional to determine the correct operative
site after induction of anesthesia
Answer: C
3. During preparation for an invasive surgical procedure, the
perioperative nurse observes that the patient's operative site has not been
marked and that the planned procedure involves a structure for which
laterality is relevant. The patient is already positioned on the operating-
room stretcher, and several members of the surgical team are preparing
equipment. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A. Proceed because the surgical schedule identifies the correct procedure
B. Request that the appropriate practitioner complete the required site-
marking and verification process before proceeding
C. Mark the site independently because the nurse is responsible for
preventing wrong-site surgery
D. Wait until the patient is anesthetized and then ask the surgeon to
identify the site
Answer: B
4. A perioperative nurse is participating in the surgical safety process
immediately before skin incision. The patient has been positioned,
anesthesia has been administered, the surgeon and surgical team are
present, and the required equipment has been prepared. Which activity is
MOST consistent with the purpose of the surgical time-out?
,3
A. Confirming only the surgeon's identity and the patient's insurance
information
B. Reviewing the patient's postoperative discharge instructions before
incision
C. Actively confirming patient identity, procedure, operative site,
anticipated critical events, prophylactic antibiotics when applicable, and
other essential safety information with the team
D. Documenting the procedure after the surgeon has already begun the
incision
Answer: C
5. A surgical technologist has prepared a sterile back table for a
procedure, and the circulating nurse is completing the final
environmental and equipment checks. The nurse notices that an item that
was opened onto the sterile field has an expiration date that has passed.
The package appears intact and there is no visible contamination. What
is the BEST action?
A. Use the item because the package remains sealed and intact
B. Use the item only if the surgeon specifically requests it
C. Remove the item from use and obtain an appropriate sterile
replacement
D. Place the item back into storage and document that it was opened
Answer: C
6. A perioperative nurse is preparing to establish and maintain a sterile
field for a surgical procedure. The nurse understands that sterility
depends on maintaining appropriate barriers, minimizing unnecessary
movement, and recognizing contamination immediately when it occurs.
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Which statement BEST describes an important principle of surgical
asepsis?
A. A sterile item remains sterile regardless of whether its package
becomes wet
B. The outer surface of a sterile package can be treated as sterile after
opening
C. Sterile-to-sterile contact must be maintained and contamination must
be corrected immediately when recognized
D. Personnel may reach over a sterile field as long as they do not touch
the instruments
Answer: C
7. While observing a surgical field, the circulating nurse notices that a
sterile-gowned team member turns away from the sterile field and then
reaches toward the field after turning back. The nurse is concerned that
the individual's gown may have contacted an unsterile surface. What is
the MOST appropriate response?
A. Ignore the event because no instrument was visibly touched
B. Immediately communicate the concern and address the potential
contamination according to sterile technique principles
C. Wait until the end of the procedure to determine whether
contamination affected the patient
D. Ask the surgeon to decide whether the gown should be considered
contaminated
Answer: B
8. A perioperative nurse is selecting personal protective equipment for a
procedure in which blood and body-fluid exposure is anticipated. The
AORN PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM LATEST ALL 18O QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)/AGRADE
1. A perioperative registered nurse is preparing to participate in the
surgical care of a patient who is scheduled for an elective procedure.
During the preoperative assessment, the nurse reviews the patient's
medical history, allergies, medications, previous surgical experiences,
laboratory findings, and current physical condition while also
confirming that the operative consent and other required documentation
are available. Which action by the perioperative nurse is MOST
appropriate before the patient is transported into the operating room?
A. Confirm that the patient has received all prescribed medications and
immediately administer any remaining medication without further
verification
B. Complete the required patient identification, procedure, site, allergy,
consent, and preoperative verification processes according to facility
policy
C. Allow the surgical team to determine the patient's identity after the
patient arrives in the operating room
D. Verify only the patient's name because the surgical procedure and
operative site are the responsibility of the surgeon
Answer: B
2. A patient arrives in the preoperative area for a scheduled surgical
procedure and is accompanied by a family member. The patient appears
anxious and repeatedly states that the planned operation is being
performed on the wrong side of the body. The documentation in the
medical record appears to identify the opposite side as the operative site.
What should the perioperative nurse do FIRST?
A. Reassure the patient that the surgeon has reviewed the procedure and
proceed with preparation
,2
B. Ask the family member which side the surgeon discussed during the
office visit
C. Stop the preparation process and resolve the discrepancy through the
appropriate verification process before the procedure continues
D. Allow the anesthesia professional to determine the correct operative
site after induction of anesthesia
Answer: C
3. During preparation for an invasive surgical procedure, the
perioperative nurse observes that the patient's operative site has not been
marked and that the planned procedure involves a structure for which
laterality is relevant. The patient is already positioned on the operating-
room stretcher, and several members of the surgical team are preparing
equipment. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A. Proceed because the surgical schedule identifies the correct procedure
B. Request that the appropriate practitioner complete the required site-
marking and verification process before proceeding
C. Mark the site independently because the nurse is responsible for
preventing wrong-site surgery
D. Wait until the patient is anesthetized and then ask the surgeon to
identify the site
Answer: B
4. A perioperative nurse is participating in the surgical safety process
immediately before skin incision. The patient has been positioned,
anesthesia has been administered, the surgeon and surgical team are
present, and the required equipment has been prepared. Which activity is
MOST consistent with the purpose of the surgical time-out?
,3
A. Confirming only the surgeon's identity and the patient's insurance
information
B. Reviewing the patient's postoperative discharge instructions before
incision
C. Actively confirming patient identity, procedure, operative site,
anticipated critical events, prophylactic antibiotics when applicable, and
other essential safety information with the team
D. Documenting the procedure after the surgeon has already begun the
incision
Answer: C
5. A surgical technologist has prepared a sterile back table for a
procedure, and the circulating nurse is completing the final
environmental and equipment checks. The nurse notices that an item that
was opened onto the sterile field has an expiration date that has passed.
The package appears intact and there is no visible contamination. What
is the BEST action?
A. Use the item because the package remains sealed and intact
B. Use the item only if the surgeon specifically requests it
C. Remove the item from use and obtain an appropriate sterile
replacement
D. Place the item back into storage and document that it was opened
Answer: C
6. A perioperative nurse is preparing to establish and maintain a sterile
field for a surgical procedure. The nurse understands that sterility
depends on maintaining appropriate barriers, minimizing unnecessary
movement, and recognizing contamination immediately when it occurs.
, 4
Which statement BEST describes an important principle of surgical
asepsis?
A. A sterile item remains sterile regardless of whether its package
becomes wet
B. The outer surface of a sterile package can be treated as sterile after
opening
C. Sterile-to-sterile contact must be maintained and contamination must
be corrected immediately when recognized
D. Personnel may reach over a sterile field as long as they do not touch
the instruments
Answer: C
7. While observing a surgical field, the circulating nurse notices that a
sterile-gowned team member turns away from the sterile field and then
reaches toward the field after turning back. The nurse is concerned that
the individual's gown may have contacted an unsterile surface. What is
the MOST appropriate response?
A. Ignore the event because no instrument was visibly touched
B. Immediately communicate the concern and address the potential
contamination according to sterile technique principles
C. Wait until the end of the procedure to determine whether
contamination affected the patient
D. Ask the surgeon to decide whether the gown should be considered
contaminated
Answer: B
8. A perioperative nurse is selecting personal protective equipment for a
procedure in which blood and body-fluid exposure is anticipated. The