AORN Periop 101 Final Exam – Actual 200 Practice
Questions Updated for 2026/2027 | Complete Test Bank with
Verified Answers & Rationales
Key AORN Periop 101 Topics to Review
Topic Key Points
Fire Safety R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Evacuate). Draping materials
are fuel; electrosurgery units are ignition; oxygen is oxidizer
Fire Triangle Fuel, Oxidizer, Ignition
Universal Preoperative verification, Surgical site marking, Time Out
Protocol
Surgical Zones Unrestricted (pre-op, PACU), Semi-restricted (sterile
processing), Restricted (OR suites)
Aseptic Sterile field, sterile conscience, never compromise on principles
Technique
Air Exchanges in Minimum 20 air exchanges per hour in restricted zone. Relative
OR humidity 20-60%
Wound Clean (no infection), Clean contaminated (enters GI/GU without
Classification infection), Contaminated (major break in technique), Dirty
(purulent infection)
Anesthesia Types General, Regional, MAC, Moderate Sedation, Local
Anesthesia Induction: Propofol, Etomidate, Ketamine; Inhalation:
Agents Sevoflurane, Isoflurane; Reversal: Flumazenil (benzos),
Naloxone (opioids), Protamine (heparin)
Malignant Triggered by succinylcholine/halogenated agents. Increased
Hyperthermia end-tidal CO₂ is most specific sign. Treatment: Dantrolene
Hypothermia Forced-air warming, warmed IV fluids, increased ambient
Prevention temperature
Counts Sponge, sharp, and instrument counts. When discrepancy
occurs, search incision site first
IUSS Immediate-use steam sterilization (flash sterilization). Only when
insufficient time for wrapped method. Implants should NOT be
flash sterilized
Spaulding Critical (sterilization), Semi-critical (high-level disinfection), Non-
Classification critical (cleaning)
, Sterilization Internal chemical indicator confirms sterility; G.
Verification stearothermophilus is biological indicator for steam
Drains JP drain (closed suction), Penrose (open), T-tube (biliary)
Documentation PNDS outcomes, positioning, skin prep, counts, specimen
handling
This comprehensive exam covers the essential domains of perioperative nursing practice
aligned with AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Topics include patient safety and
risk management, sterile technique, surgical asepsis, patient positioning, environmental
controls, surgical instrumentation, wound classification, infection prevention, anesthesia
considerations, documentation, and evidence-based practice .
SECTION 1: Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
Place the four basic steps of fire safety in the correct order:
a) Confine the fire, shut the doors
b) Evacuate according to facility plan
c) Notify the fire department
d) Rescue patients and staff members in immediate danger
Use numbers separated with commas in order of a-d.
Answer: 3, 4, 2, 1
The correct order is Rescue (d) → Notify (c) → Confine (a) → Evacuate (b). Patient safety
is the immediate priority, followed by notification, containment, and evacuation if necessary .
Question 2
Draping material is classified as which source in the fire triangle?
A) Oxidizer
B) Ignition
,C) Fuel
D) Heat
Answer: C. Fuel
In the fire triangle, draping materials serve as the fuel source. The oxidizer is oxygen, and
the ignition source could be electrosurgical units or lasers .
Question 3
Which of the following practices helps prevent surgical fires when using electrosurgical
equipment? (Select all that apply)
A) Allow enough time for alcohol-based skin preparations to completely dry
B) Operate in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere
C) Visually check the integrity and insulation of all cords and instruments before use
D) Use a lower power setting than recommended
Answer: A, C
Alcohol-based prep solutions must fully dry before electrosurgery to prevent ignition.
Inspecting cords and instruments for insulation defects prevents arcing and fires. Oxygen-
enriched atmospheres increase fire risk .
Question 4
The Joint Commission Universal Protocol consists of which of the following? (Select all that
apply)
A) Preoperative verification
B) Surgical site marking
C) Time Out
D) Postoperative debriefing
Answer: A, B, C
The Universal Protocol has three components: 1) preoperative verification of
patient/procedure/site, 2) marking the operative site, and 3) performing a Time Out
immediately before incision .
, SECTION 2: Sterile Technique & Aseptic Practices (Questions 5-25)
Question 5
Restricting pathogenic organisms from the patient, environment, equipment, and supplies is
the definition of:
A) Surgical conscience
B) Aseptic technique
C) Sterile field maintenance
D) Infection prevention
Answer: B. Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique involves practices that restrict pathogenic organisms from the patient,
environment, equipment, and supplies to prevent infection .
Question 6
Which of the following statements about sterile technique is correct?
A) Sterile technique is implemented during surgical procedures to prevent microbial
contamination
B) Sterile technique is only required for major surgeries
C) A sterile field may be prepared up to 24 hours before use
D) Talking over a sterile field is permitted if masks are worn
Answer: A. Sterile technique is implemented during surgical procedures to prevent
microbial contamination
Sterile technique is used during all surgical and invasive procedures to prevent microbial
contamination and surgical site infections .
Question 7
When applying the concept of surgical conscience, which statements should be
considered? (Select all that apply)
A) It involves mental discipline and the ability to speak out
B) It is essential to the delivery of optimal care and prevent harm
Questions Updated for 2026/2027 | Complete Test Bank with
Verified Answers & Rationales
Key AORN Periop 101 Topics to Review
Topic Key Points
Fire Safety R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Evacuate). Draping materials
are fuel; electrosurgery units are ignition; oxygen is oxidizer
Fire Triangle Fuel, Oxidizer, Ignition
Universal Preoperative verification, Surgical site marking, Time Out
Protocol
Surgical Zones Unrestricted (pre-op, PACU), Semi-restricted (sterile
processing), Restricted (OR suites)
Aseptic Sterile field, sterile conscience, never compromise on principles
Technique
Air Exchanges in Minimum 20 air exchanges per hour in restricted zone. Relative
OR humidity 20-60%
Wound Clean (no infection), Clean contaminated (enters GI/GU without
Classification infection), Contaminated (major break in technique), Dirty
(purulent infection)
Anesthesia Types General, Regional, MAC, Moderate Sedation, Local
Anesthesia Induction: Propofol, Etomidate, Ketamine; Inhalation:
Agents Sevoflurane, Isoflurane; Reversal: Flumazenil (benzos),
Naloxone (opioids), Protamine (heparin)
Malignant Triggered by succinylcholine/halogenated agents. Increased
Hyperthermia end-tidal CO₂ is most specific sign. Treatment: Dantrolene
Hypothermia Forced-air warming, warmed IV fluids, increased ambient
Prevention temperature
Counts Sponge, sharp, and instrument counts. When discrepancy
occurs, search incision site first
IUSS Immediate-use steam sterilization (flash sterilization). Only when
insufficient time for wrapped method. Implants should NOT be
flash sterilized
Spaulding Critical (sterilization), Semi-critical (high-level disinfection), Non-
Classification critical (cleaning)
, Sterilization Internal chemical indicator confirms sterility; G.
Verification stearothermophilus is biological indicator for steam
Drains JP drain (closed suction), Penrose (open), T-tube (biliary)
Documentation PNDS outcomes, positioning, skin prep, counts, specimen
handling
This comprehensive exam covers the essential domains of perioperative nursing practice
aligned with AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Topics include patient safety and
risk management, sterile technique, surgical asepsis, patient positioning, environmental
controls, surgical instrumentation, wound classification, infection prevention, anesthesia
considerations, documentation, and evidence-based practice .
SECTION 1: Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
Place the four basic steps of fire safety in the correct order:
a) Confine the fire, shut the doors
b) Evacuate according to facility plan
c) Notify the fire department
d) Rescue patients and staff members in immediate danger
Use numbers separated with commas in order of a-d.
Answer: 3, 4, 2, 1
The correct order is Rescue (d) → Notify (c) → Confine (a) → Evacuate (b). Patient safety
is the immediate priority, followed by notification, containment, and evacuation if necessary .
Question 2
Draping material is classified as which source in the fire triangle?
A) Oxidizer
B) Ignition
,C) Fuel
D) Heat
Answer: C. Fuel
In the fire triangle, draping materials serve as the fuel source. The oxidizer is oxygen, and
the ignition source could be electrosurgical units or lasers .
Question 3
Which of the following practices helps prevent surgical fires when using electrosurgical
equipment? (Select all that apply)
A) Allow enough time for alcohol-based skin preparations to completely dry
B) Operate in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere
C) Visually check the integrity and insulation of all cords and instruments before use
D) Use a lower power setting than recommended
Answer: A, C
Alcohol-based prep solutions must fully dry before electrosurgery to prevent ignition.
Inspecting cords and instruments for insulation defects prevents arcing and fires. Oxygen-
enriched atmospheres increase fire risk .
Question 4
The Joint Commission Universal Protocol consists of which of the following? (Select all that
apply)
A) Preoperative verification
B) Surgical site marking
C) Time Out
D) Postoperative debriefing
Answer: A, B, C
The Universal Protocol has three components: 1) preoperative verification of
patient/procedure/site, 2) marking the operative site, and 3) performing a Time Out
immediately before incision .
, SECTION 2: Sterile Technique & Aseptic Practices (Questions 5-25)
Question 5
Restricting pathogenic organisms from the patient, environment, equipment, and supplies is
the definition of:
A) Surgical conscience
B) Aseptic technique
C) Sterile field maintenance
D) Infection prevention
Answer: B. Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique involves practices that restrict pathogenic organisms from the patient,
environment, equipment, and supplies to prevent infection .
Question 6
Which of the following statements about sterile technique is correct?
A) Sterile technique is implemented during surgical procedures to prevent microbial
contamination
B) Sterile technique is only required for major surgeries
C) A sterile field may be prepared up to 24 hours before use
D) Talking over a sterile field is permitted if masks are worn
Answer: A. Sterile technique is implemented during surgical procedures to prevent
microbial contamination
Sterile technique is used during all surgical and invasive procedures to prevent microbial
contamination and surgical site infections .
Question 7
When applying the concept of surgical conscience, which statements should be
considered? (Select all that apply)
A) It involves mental discipline and the ability to speak out
B) It is essential to the delivery of optimal care and prevent harm
