1
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
(2025/2026) – Revised &
Expected Questions with
Correct Answers | 100%
Guarantee Pass
Sterile Field Management
1. What is the primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field during surgery?
A. To reduce surgical time
B. To prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)
C. To improve visibility for the surgeon
D. To organize surgical instruments
Correct Answer: B. To prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)
Rationale: The sterile field minimizes microbial contamination, reducing the risk of
SSIs, a critical patient safety goal per AORN guidelines. Other options are secondary or
unrelated to the primary purpose.
2. A scrub nurse notices a tear in their sterile glove during a procedure. What is the
priority action?
A. Continue the procedure to avoid delay
B. Notify the circulating nurse and replace the glove
C. Cover the tear with sterile tape
D. Ignore the tear if small
Correct Answer: B. Notify the circulating nurse and replace the glove
Rationale: A torn glove compromises the sterile field, risking contamination. Notifying
the circulating nurse and replacing the glove maintains sterility, per AORN standards.
Continuing, taping, or ignoring the tear violates infection control principles.
3. How should sterile supplies be added to a sterile field?
A. Hand them directly to the scrub nurse
B. Drop them onto the field from 6–12 inches above
C. Place them on the edge of the sterile drape
D. Open and toss them onto the field from a distance
Correct Answer: B. Drop them onto the field from 6–12 inches above
Rationale: Dropping sterile supplies from 6–12 inches ensures they land on the sterile
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field without contamination, per AORN sterile technique guidelines. Handing directly,
placing on the edge, or tossing risks breaching sterility.
4. Which area of a sterile drape is considered contaminated?
A. The center of the drape
B. The 1-inch border around the drape
C. The area covered by sterile instruments
D. The area under the patient
Correct Answer: B. The 1-inch border around the drape
Rationale: The 1-inch border of a sterile drape is considered non-sterile, as it may
contact non-sterile surfaces, per AORN guidelines. Other areas, when properly
maintained, remain sterile.
5. A circulating nurse opens a sterile package. What is the correct technique to
maintain sterility?
A. Open the package and touch the inner contents
B. Peel back the wrapper away from the sterile field
C. Hold the package over the sterile field and shake it
D. Use non-sterile gloves to open the package
Correct Answer: B. Peel back the wrapper away from the sterile field
Rationale: Peeling back the wrapper away from the sterile field prevents contamination
of the contents, per AORN sterile technique standards. Touching contents, shaking, or
using non-sterile gloves risks contamination.
6. What should a scrub nurse do if a sterile instrument falls off the sterile field?
A. Pick it up and place it back on the field
B. Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
C. Wipe the instrument with alcohol and reuse it
D. Ignore the incident if the instrument appears clean
Correct Answer: B. Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
Rationale: A fallen instrument is contaminated and must be replaced with a sterile one to
maintain the sterile field, per AORN guidelines. Reusing or wiping the instrument risks
infection.
7. A sterile field is set up for a procedure. How should the scrub nurse monitor it?
A. Leave the field unattended if covered
B. Continuously observe the field to ensure sterility
C. Allow non-sterile personnel to pass over it
D. Rearrange items with non-sterile gloves
Correct Answer: B. Continuously observe the field to ensure sterility
Rationale: Continuous observation prevents breaches in sterility (e.g., unauthorized
contact), per AORN standards. Leaving unattended, allowing non-sterile passage, or
using non-sterile gloves compromises the field.
8. A scrub nurse notices moisture on the sterile drape. What is the appropriate action?
A. Ignore the moisture if minimal
B. Replace the drape with a new sterile one
C. Dry the drape with a sterile towel
D. Continue the procedure to avoid delay
Correct Answer: B. Replace the drape with a new sterile one
Rationale: Moisture compromises the sterile barrier by allowing microbial migration
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
(2025/2026) – Revised &
Expected Questions with
Correct Answers | 100%
Guarantee Pass
Sterile Field Management
1. What is the primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field during surgery?
A. To reduce surgical time
B. To prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)
C. To improve visibility for the surgeon
D. To organize surgical instruments
Correct Answer: B. To prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)
Rationale: The sterile field minimizes microbial contamination, reducing the risk of
SSIs, a critical patient safety goal per AORN guidelines. Other options are secondary or
unrelated to the primary purpose.
2. A scrub nurse notices a tear in their sterile glove during a procedure. What is the
priority action?
A. Continue the procedure to avoid delay
B. Notify the circulating nurse and replace the glove
C. Cover the tear with sterile tape
D. Ignore the tear if small
Correct Answer: B. Notify the circulating nurse and replace the glove
Rationale: A torn glove compromises the sterile field, risking contamination. Notifying
the circulating nurse and replacing the glove maintains sterility, per AORN standards.
Continuing, taping, or ignoring the tear violates infection control principles.
3. How should sterile supplies be added to a sterile field?
A. Hand them directly to the scrub nurse
B. Drop them onto the field from 6–12 inches above
C. Place them on the edge of the sterile drape
D. Open and toss them onto the field from a distance
Correct Answer: B. Drop them onto the field from 6–12 inches above
Rationale: Dropping sterile supplies from 6–12 inches ensures they land on the sterile
, 2
field without contamination, per AORN sterile technique guidelines. Handing directly,
placing on the edge, or tossing risks breaching sterility.
4. Which area of a sterile drape is considered contaminated?
A. The center of the drape
B. The 1-inch border around the drape
C. The area covered by sterile instruments
D. The area under the patient
Correct Answer: B. The 1-inch border around the drape
Rationale: The 1-inch border of a sterile drape is considered non-sterile, as it may
contact non-sterile surfaces, per AORN guidelines. Other areas, when properly
maintained, remain sterile.
5. A circulating nurse opens a sterile package. What is the correct technique to
maintain sterility?
A. Open the package and touch the inner contents
B. Peel back the wrapper away from the sterile field
C. Hold the package over the sterile field and shake it
D. Use non-sterile gloves to open the package
Correct Answer: B. Peel back the wrapper away from the sterile field
Rationale: Peeling back the wrapper away from the sterile field prevents contamination
of the contents, per AORN sterile technique standards. Touching contents, shaking, or
using non-sterile gloves risks contamination.
6. What should a scrub nurse do if a sterile instrument falls off the sterile field?
A. Pick it up and place it back on the field
B. Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
C. Wipe the instrument with alcohol and reuse it
D. Ignore the incident if the instrument appears clean
Correct Answer: B. Discard the instrument and obtain a new sterile one
Rationale: A fallen instrument is contaminated and must be replaced with a sterile one to
maintain the sterile field, per AORN guidelines. Reusing or wiping the instrument risks
infection.
7. A sterile field is set up for a procedure. How should the scrub nurse monitor it?
A. Leave the field unattended if covered
B. Continuously observe the field to ensure sterility
C. Allow non-sterile personnel to pass over it
D. Rearrange items with non-sterile gloves
Correct Answer: B. Continuously observe the field to ensure sterility
Rationale: Continuous observation prevents breaches in sterility (e.g., unauthorized
contact), per AORN standards. Leaving unattended, allowing non-sterile passage, or
using non-sterile gloves compromises the field.
8. A scrub nurse notices moisture on the sterile drape. What is the appropriate action?
A. Ignore the moisture if minimal
B. Replace the drape with a new sterile one
C. Dry the drape with a sterile towel
D. Continue the procedure to avoid delay
Correct Answer: B. Replace the drape with a new sterile one
Rationale: Moisture compromises the sterile barrier by allowing microbial migration
