AORN PERIOP 101 ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Who may provide anesthesia care? (4 answers). Answer:
Anesthesiologist, CRNA, Anesthesiologist assistant, perioperative nurse
◉ Factors to consider when determining what anesthetic to use for a
particular patient: (8 answers). Answer: -pt/surgeon preference
-Surgical procedure
-Physical Status
-Age
-Postoperative recovery time
-Length of surgery
-Position of pt
-Pt previous experience with anesthesia
◉ General Anesthesia. Answer: a reversible state of unconsciousness,
consisting of amnesia, analgesia, and muscle relaxation
,◉ Regional Anesthesia. Answer: a reversible loss of sensation, which is
achieved by injecting a local anesthetic to block the nerve fibers from
transmitting impulses.
◉ Local Anesthesia. Answer: functions like regional anesthesia but
usually applies to a smaller area or a single body part such as a finger or
a toe.
◉ Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC). Answer: consists of intravenous
medications and concurrent local infiltration of tissue at the surgical site
◉ What are the Four STAGES of Anesthesia? Answer: • Stage I: Initial
Administration - The first stage is the actual administering of the
anesthetic drugs. There are only a few seconds in between the initial
administering of the drug and unconsciousness.
• Stage II: Excitement - In Stage II the patient is now unconscious. Also
known as "excitement", is the time from loss of consciousness to the loss
of eyelid reflex. Involuntary movements may occur at this time.
• Stage III: Intrasurgery - This is the time of surgical anesthesia. The
patient has rapid eye movement and breathing may be labored until the
muscles completely relax. It is time to start the surgery.
• Stage IV: Possibility of respiratory failure - During this last stage of
anesthesia, the patient might need help. If too much anesthesia has been
given, this stage is characterized by respiratory failure, leading to
circulatory failure. Without breathing apparatus and heart support, the
patient can die.
,◉ What are the three PHASES of anesthesia? Answer: • Induction - This
phase begins with the administration of anesthesia and lasts until the
surgical incision is made.
• Maintenance - This phase begins with the surgical incision and lasts
until near completion of the procedure (Stage 3).
• Emergence - This phase starts as the patient begins to awaken and ends
upon exiting the operating room
◉ IV regional anesthesia (Beir Block) is most often used for: Answer:
Upper extremity nerve blockade
◉ A common side effect to monitor after spinal anesthesia is: Answer:
hypotension due to vasodilation
◉ What is the most consistent physiological indication of Malignant
Hyperthermia? Answer: Increased end tidal CO2
◉ What drug is given for Malignant Hyperthermia? Answer: Dantrolene
*Also, stop triggering agents, give 100% oxygen, cool pt
◉ During Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), the Pt is monitored for
what 3 risks? Answer: • Extravasation of intravenous medication
, • A reduction of arterial oxygen saturation
• Breathing difficulty
◉ During a peripheral nerve block, why must there be continuous nerve
stimulation in the area to be anesthetized? Answer: To ensure proper
needle placement
◉ Special considerations for Pt undergoing endoscopic or minimally
invasive surgery include: (4 answers). Answer: -Previous incisions (may
alter the trocar insertion technique)
-History of DVT
-Consent to include possibility of open procedure
-Voiding prior to surgery (empty bladder helps to avoid puncture during
trocar placement)
◉ Fluid management in Minimally Invasive Surgery involves risk of: (2
answers). Answer: -Hypothermia
-Fluid overload
*Hyponatremia could accompany hypervolemia
◉ How can we reduce risk of systemic hemodynamic changes while
maintaining intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgery?
Answer: Keep pressure under 12 mm/hg in adult Pt
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Who may provide anesthesia care? (4 answers). Answer:
Anesthesiologist, CRNA, Anesthesiologist assistant, perioperative nurse
◉ Factors to consider when determining what anesthetic to use for a
particular patient: (8 answers). Answer: -pt/surgeon preference
-Surgical procedure
-Physical Status
-Age
-Postoperative recovery time
-Length of surgery
-Position of pt
-Pt previous experience with anesthesia
◉ General Anesthesia. Answer: a reversible state of unconsciousness,
consisting of amnesia, analgesia, and muscle relaxation
,◉ Regional Anesthesia. Answer: a reversible loss of sensation, which is
achieved by injecting a local anesthetic to block the nerve fibers from
transmitting impulses.
◉ Local Anesthesia. Answer: functions like regional anesthesia but
usually applies to a smaller area or a single body part such as a finger or
a toe.
◉ Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC). Answer: consists of intravenous
medications and concurrent local infiltration of tissue at the surgical site
◉ What are the Four STAGES of Anesthesia? Answer: • Stage I: Initial
Administration - The first stage is the actual administering of the
anesthetic drugs. There are only a few seconds in between the initial
administering of the drug and unconsciousness.
• Stage II: Excitement - In Stage II the patient is now unconscious. Also
known as "excitement", is the time from loss of consciousness to the loss
of eyelid reflex. Involuntary movements may occur at this time.
• Stage III: Intrasurgery - This is the time of surgical anesthesia. The
patient has rapid eye movement and breathing may be labored until the
muscles completely relax. It is time to start the surgery.
• Stage IV: Possibility of respiratory failure - During this last stage of
anesthesia, the patient might need help. If too much anesthesia has been
given, this stage is characterized by respiratory failure, leading to
circulatory failure. Without breathing apparatus and heart support, the
patient can die.
,◉ What are the three PHASES of anesthesia? Answer: • Induction - This
phase begins with the administration of anesthesia and lasts until the
surgical incision is made.
• Maintenance - This phase begins with the surgical incision and lasts
until near completion of the procedure (Stage 3).
• Emergence - This phase starts as the patient begins to awaken and ends
upon exiting the operating room
◉ IV regional anesthesia (Beir Block) is most often used for: Answer:
Upper extremity nerve blockade
◉ A common side effect to monitor after spinal anesthesia is: Answer:
hypotension due to vasodilation
◉ What is the most consistent physiological indication of Malignant
Hyperthermia? Answer: Increased end tidal CO2
◉ What drug is given for Malignant Hyperthermia? Answer: Dantrolene
*Also, stop triggering agents, give 100% oxygen, cool pt
◉ During Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), the Pt is monitored for
what 3 risks? Answer: • Extravasation of intravenous medication
, • A reduction of arterial oxygen saturation
• Breathing difficulty
◉ During a peripheral nerve block, why must there be continuous nerve
stimulation in the area to be anesthetized? Answer: To ensure proper
needle placement
◉ Special considerations for Pt undergoing endoscopic or minimally
invasive surgery include: (4 answers). Answer: -Previous incisions (may
alter the trocar insertion technique)
-History of DVT
-Consent to include possibility of open procedure
-Voiding prior to surgery (empty bladder helps to avoid puncture during
trocar placement)
◉ Fluid management in Minimally Invasive Surgery involves risk of: (2
answers). Answer: -Hypothermia
-Fluid overload
*Hyponatremia could accompany hypervolemia
◉ How can we reduce risk of systemic hemodynamic changes while
maintaining intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgery?
Answer: Keep pressure under 12 mm/hg in adult Pt
