AORN PERIOP 101 TEST BANK FINAL
EXAM (2026-2027) – 50 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Evidence-based practice questions are typically formatted as PICO
questions. What does PICO stand for?
a) Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome
b) Patient, Investigation, Comparison, Outlier
c) Population, Intervention, Counter-Intervention, Outlier
d) Problem, Investigation, Counter-Intervention, Outcome
Answer: a
Rationale: PICO is a framework used to formulate clinical questions and guide
evidence-based practice. It stands for Patient/Population, Intervention,
Comparison, and Outcome. Using PICO helps nurses and clinicians focus research
and improve patient care decisions.
2. Every member of the healthcare team has a role to play in cost
containment. Which of the following is an example of how the perioperative
RN can participate in cost containment in the OR?
a) Ask the surgeon to use a less expensive implant
b) Begin cleaning the OR for the next case before the patient leaves the room
c) Open all supplies listed on the preference card, including "available" supplies
d) Verify with surgeon before opening suture
Answer: d
Rationale: Verifying with the surgeon before opening supplies prevents unnecessary
waste and reduces costs. Cost containment in the OR requires thoughtful use of
resources without compromising patient safety.
,3. An RN who attends continuing nursing education and has verified skills,
knowledge, and attitudes about perioperative nursing is demonstrating
accountability in his/her:
a) Certification requirements for professional achievement in perioperative nursing
b) Collaboration among team members
c) Professional growth and maintenance of competency
d) Verification of nursing knowledge
Answer: c
Rationale: Professional accountability includes maintaining competency through
ongoing education and training. It ensures nurses are equipped with current
knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective perioperative care.
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning use of the AORN
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice?
a) Both medical and nursing licensing boards require health care institutions to comply
with the AORN guidelines
b) The AORN Guidelines legally supersede departmental and institutional policies
c) The AORN Guidelines reflect scientific evidence of how nurses actually practice in
perioperative settings
d) Work setting and situation variations may determine the extent to which AORN
Guidelines can be applied
Answer: d
Rationale: The AORN Guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that provide a
framework for perioperative nursing practice. They are not legally binding but can be
adapted to the specific policies and needs of a healthcare facility.
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of an ethical dilemma that
perioperative nurses may encounter?
a) Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order for a surgical patient
, b) Family disagreement regarding possible organ donation
c) Family disagreement about a below-the-knee amputation on an 18-year-old who has
already given consent
d) Human experimentation
Answer: c
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas occur when there is conflict between ethical principles or
uncertainty about the best course of action. In option c, the patient has already given
consent, so the nurse’s ethical obligation is clear, making it not an ethical dilemma.
6. The phrase "At least one individual failed to do what a similarly situated,
reasonable, and prudent professional would have done under similar
circumstances" is the definition of:
a) Abandonment
b) Negligence
c) Unethical behavior
d) Malpractice
Answer: b
Rationale: Negligence refers to a failure to meet the standard of care, resulting in
harm or risk of harm to the patient. It focuses on what a reasonable professional would
have done under similar circumstances.
7. All of the following are accurate descriptions of "professional
accountability" EXCEPT:
a) Becoming certified in your specialty
b) Collaborating with peers in selecting the right instruments and equipment for each
patient
c) Pursuing a higher academic degree
d) Relying ONLY on peer evaluations
e) Staying current with changes in your specialty
Answer: d
Rationale: Professional accountability involves continuous self-evaluation, ongoing
education, and certification. Relying solely on peer evaluations neglects self-
assessment and personal responsibility for maintaining competence.
EXAM (2026-2027) – 50 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Evidence-based practice questions are typically formatted as PICO
questions. What does PICO stand for?
a) Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome
b) Patient, Investigation, Comparison, Outlier
c) Population, Intervention, Counter-Intervention, Outlier
d) Problem, Investigation, Counter-Intervention, Outcome
Answer: a
Rationale: PICO is a framework used to formulate clinical questions and guide
evidence-based practice. It stands for Patient/Population, Intervention,
Comparison, and Outcome. Using PICO helps nurses and clinicians focus research
and improve patient care decisions.
2. Every member of the healthcare team has a role to play in cost
containment. Which of the following is an example of how the perioperative
RN can participate in cost containment in the OR?
a) Ask the surgeon to use a less expensive implant
b) Begin cleaning the OR for the next case before the patient leaves the room
c) Open all supplies listed on the preference card, including "available" supplies
d) Verify with surgeon before opening suture
Answer: d
Rationale: Verifying with the surgeon before opening supplies prevents unnecessary
waste and reduces costs. Cost containment in the OR requires thoughtful use of
resources without compromising patient safety.
,3. An RN who attends continuing nursing education and has verified skills,
knowledge, and attitudes about perioperative nursing is demonstrating
accountability in his/her:
a) Certification requirements for professional achievement in perioperative nursing
b) Collaboration among team members
c) Professional growth and maintenance of competency
d) Verification of nursing knowledge
Answer: c
Rationale: Professional accountability includes maintaining competency through
ongoing education and training. It ensures nurses are equipped with current
knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective perioperative care.
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning use of the AORN
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice?
a) Both medical and nursing licensing boards require health care institutions to comply
with the AORN guidelines
b) The AORN Guidelines legally supersede departmental and institutional policies
c) The AORN Guidelines reflect scientific evidence of how nurses actually practice in
perioperative settings
d) Work setting and situation variations may determine the extent to which AORN
Guidelines can be applied
Answer: d
Rationale: The AORN Guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that provide a
framework for perioperative nursing practice. They are not legally binding but can be
adapted to the specific policies and needs of a healthcare facility.
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of an ethical dilemma that
perioperative nurses may encounter?
a) Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order for a surgical patient
, b) Family disagreement regarding possible organ donation
c) Family disagreement about a below-the-knee amputation on an 18-year-old who has
already given consent
d) Human experimentation
Answer: c
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas occur when there is conflict between ethical principles or
uncertainty about the best course of action. In option c, the patient has already given
consent, so the nurse’s ethical obligation is clear, making it not an ethical dilemma.
6. The phrase "At least one individual failed to do what a similarly situated,
reasonable, and prudent professional would have done under similar
circumstances" is the definition of:
a) Abandonment
b) Negligence
c) Unethical behavior
d) Malpractice
Answer: b
Rationale: Negligence refers to a failure to meet the standard of care, resulting in
harm or risk of harm to the patient. It focuses on what a reasonable professional would
have done under similar circumstances.
7. All of the following are accurate descriptions of "professional
accountability" EXCEPT:
a) Becoming certified in your specialty
b) Collaborating with peers in selecting the right instruments and equipment for each
patient
c) Pursuing a higher academic degree
d) Relying ONLY on peer evaluations
e) Staying current with changes in your specialty
Answer: d
Rationale: Professional accountability involves continuous self-evaluation, ongoing
education, and certification. Relying solely on peer evaluations neglects self-
assessment and personal responsibility for maintaining competence.
