AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
Perioperative Nursing 2026/2027 –
Questions and Answers | 100%
Verified | Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded| Instant
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Question 1: Sterile Field Management
A scrubbed surgical technologist turns away from the sterile field
to reach for a dropped instrument. What is the priority
intervention?
Correct Answer: Inform the technologist that the back of the
gown is considered unsterile and corrective action is needed.
Rationale: The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile
because the wearer cannot visually monitor it for contamination.
Turning away from the field risks contact with unsterile surfaces,
violating surgical conscience .
Question 2: Surgical Counts
When should the initial surgical count be performed during an
open abdominal procedure?
Correct Answer: Before the incision is made.
Rationale: AORN guidelines mandate that sponges, sharps, and
instruments are counted audibly and concurrently by the scrub
, person and circulator before the procedure begins (baseline),
before closing a deep cavity, and during skin closure to prevent
retained surgical items .
Question 3: Electrosurgery Safety
What is the most likely cause of a patient burn at the site of a
dispersive (grounding) pad?
Correct Answer: The pad did not make full, uniform contact with
the patient's skin.
Rationale: The dispersive pad must have complete, uniform
contact with a large, well-perfused muscle mass to safely dissipate
electrical current. Incomplete contact increases current density at
the pad site, causing thermal burns .
Question 4: Patient Positioning
A patient is placed in the lithotomy position. Which action is
essential to prevent compartment syndrome or nerve damage?
Correct Answer: Lower the legs simultaneously and slowly, and
avoid flexing the hips more than 90 degrees.
Rationale: Flexing the hips beyond 90 degrees can obstruct blood
flow and compress nerves. Sudden shifts in leg position can cause
hemodynamic instability. Arms should also be placed on
armboards at less than 90 degrees to prevent brachial plexus
stretch .
Question 5: Wound Healing and Closure
Which option describes the healing process of a wound left open
to heal by secondary intention?
Correct Answer: The wound is cleaned, debrided, and packed.
, Rationale: Secondary intention healing occurs when a wound is
not approximated (closed). It is left open, cleaned, and packed,
allowing granulation tissue to fill the defect from the bottom up.
This can result in weak tissue approximation and herniation .
Question 6: Sterile Technique Breach
During a lengthy procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture
wicking through the sterile drape at the instrument table edge.
What is the immediate action?
Correct Answer: Consider the area contaminated, remove the
affected items, and reestablish the sterile field.
Rationale: Moisture wicking (strike-through) compromises the
sterile barrier. Covering a wet area with a sterile towel does not
restore sterility; the affected items must be removed, and the field
must be reestablished per AORN standards .
Question 7: Preoperative Assessment
What is the primary purpose of conducting a preoperative
assessment?
Correct Answer: To define the patient's risk factors and develop a
plan of care.
Rationale: The preoperative interview is the final assessment to
identify additional patient care needs, risk factors (e.g., allergies,
comorbidities), and to develop an individualized plan of care prior
to surgery .
Question 8: Ethical and Legal Principles
Which practice violates a patient's ethical right to self-
determination?
Perioperative Nursing 2026/2027 –
Questions and Answers | 100%
Verified | Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded| Instant
Download pdf
Question 1: Sterile Field Management
A scrubbed surgical technologist turns away from the sterile field
to reach for a dropped instrument. What is the priority
intervention?
Correct Answer: Inform the technologist that the back of the
gown is considered unsterile and corrective action is needed.
Rationale: The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile
because the wearer cannot visually monitor it for contamination.
Turning away from the field risks contact with unsterile surfaces,
violating surgical conscience .
Question 2: Surgical Counts
When should the initial surgical count be performed during an
open abdominal procedure?
Correct Answer: Before the incision is made.
Rationale: AORN guidelines mandate that sponges, sharps, and
instruments are counted audibly and concurrently by the scrub
, person and circulator before the procedure begins (baseline),
before closing a deep cavity, and during skin closure to prevent
retained surgical items .
Question 3: Electrosurgery Safety
What is the most likely cause of a patient burn at the site of a
dispersive (grounding) pad?
Correct Answer: The pad did not make full, uniform contact with
the patient's skin.
Rationale: The dispersive pad must have complete, uniform
contact with a large, well-perfused muscle mass to safely dissipate
electrical current. Incomplete contact increases current density at
the pad site, causing thermal burns .
Question 4: Patient Positioning
A patient is placed in the lithotomy position. Which action is
essential to prevent compartment syndrome or nerve damage?
Correct Answer: Lower the legs simultaneously and slowly, and
avoid flexing the hips more than 90 degrees.
Rationale: Flexing the hips beyond 90 degrees can obstruct blood
flow and compress nerves. Sudden shifts in leg position can cause
hemodynamic instability. Arms should also be placed on
armboards at less than 90 degrees to prevent brachial plexus
stretch .
Question 5: Wound Healing and Closure
Which option describes the healing process of a wound left open
to heal by secondary intention?
Correct Answer: The wound is cleaned, debrided, and packed.
, Rationale: Secondary intention healing occurs when a wound is
not approximated (closed). It is left open, cleaned, and packed,
allowing granulation tissue to fill the defect from the bottom up.
This can result in weak tissue approximation and herniation .
Question 6: Sterile Technique Breach
During a lengthy procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture
wicking through the sterile drape at the instrument table edge.
What is the immediate action?
Correct Answer: Consider the area contaminated, remove the
affected items, and reestablish the sterile field.
Rationale: Moisture wicking (strike-through) compromises the
sterile barrier. Covering a wet area with a sterile towel does not
restore sterility; the affected items must be removed, and the field
must be reestablished per AORN standards .
Question 7: Preoperative Assessment
What is the primary purpose of conducting a preoperative
assessment?
Correct Answer: To define the patient's risk factors and develop a
plan of care.
Rationale: The preoperative interview is the final assessment to
identify additional patient care needs, risk factors (e.g., allergies,
comorbidities), and to develop an individualized plan of care prior
to surgery .
Question 8: Ethical and Legal Principles
Which practice violates a patient's ethical right to self-
determination?
