PERIOPERATIVE NURSING PREOPERATIVE
PHASE EXAM 2026
SECTION 1: INTRAOPERATIVE PHASE — SURGICAL TEAM & ENVIRONMENT (Q1–20)
Q1. Who is responsible for maintaining the sterile field during surgery?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse maintains the sterile field, passes instruments, and assists the
surgeon.
Q2. What is the role of the circulating nurse?
A. Maintain sterile field
B. Document care and retrieve supplies
C. Administer anesthesia
D. Perform surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse documents care, retrieves supplies, and coordinates the
surgical environment.
Q3. Which surgical team member administers anesthesia?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist or CRNA
Answer: D
Rationale: The anesthesiologist or CRNA administers anesthesia and monitors the patient's
physiologic status.
Q4. Which zone of the surgical suite is considered the sterile area?
A. Unrestricted zone
B. Semi-restricted zone
,C. Restricted zone
D. Holding area
Answer: C
Rationale: The restricted zone includes the OR and sterile supply areas; surgical attire and
masks are required.
Q5. What is the purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. Reduce microbial count on hands and arms
B. Remove dirt
C. Improve grip
D. Reduce surgical time
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgical scrub reduces microbial count on hands and arms before surgery.
Q6. How long should a surgical hand scrub last?
A. 1 minute
B. 2–5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: A surgical hand scrub typically lasts 2–5 minutes using an antimicrobial agent.
Q7. Which PPE is required in the restricted zone?
A. Scrubs, mask, and cap
B. Street clothes
C. Gloves only
D. Gown only
Answer: A
Rationale: Scrubs, mask, and cap are required in the restricted zone.
Q8. What is the purpose of the surgical mask?
A. Prevent droplet transmission
B. Prevent airborne transmission
C. Prevent contact transmission
D. Improve vision
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical masks prevent droplet transmission from the surgical team to the patient.
, Q9. When should a surgical mask be changed?
A. Every 2 hours
B. Every 4 hours
C. When it becomes moist
D. Every 8 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: A surgical mask should be changed when it becomes moist or soiled.
Q10. What is the purpose of the surgical cap?
A. Prevent hair from contaminating the sterile field
B. Improve vision
C. Prevent droplet transmission
D. Improve grip
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgical cap prevents hair from contaminating the sterile field.
Q11. What is the purpose of shoe covers in the OR?
A. Prevent contamination from footwear
B. Improve grip
C. Prevent droplet transmission
D. Improve vision
Answer: A
Rationale: Shoe covers prevent contamination from footwear entering the OR.
Q12. Which surgical team member is responsible for positioning the patient?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse, with assistance, is responsible for positioning the patient.
Q13. What is the purpose of patient positioning during surgery?
A. Provide surgical access and prevent complications
B. Improve vision
C. Reduce surgical time
D. Improve grip
PHASE EXAM 2026
SECTION 1: INTRAOPERATIVE PHASE — SURGICAL TEAM & ENVIRONMENT (Q1–20)
Q1. Who is responsible for maintaining the sterile field during surgery?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse maintains the sterile field, passes instruments, and assists the
surgeon.
Q2. What is the role of the circulating nurse?
A. Maintain sterile field
B. Document care and retrieve supplies
C. Administer anesthesia
D. Perform surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse documents care, retrieves supplies, and coordinates the
surgical environment.
Q3. Which surgical team member administers anesthesia?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist or CRNA
Answer: D
Rationale: The anesthesiologist or CRNA administers anesthesia and monitors the patient's
physiologic status.
Q4. Which zone of the surgical suite is considered the sterile area?
A. Unrestricted zone
B. Semi-restricted zone
,C. Restricted zone
D. Holding area
Answer: C
Rationale: The restricted zone includes the OR and sterile supply areas; surgical attire and
masks are required.
Q5. What is the purpose of the surgical scrub?
A. Reduce microbial count on hands and arms
B. Remove dirt
C. Improve grip
D. Reduce surgical time
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgical scrub reduces microbial count on hands and arms before surgery.
Q6. How long should a surgical hand scrub last?
A. 1 minute
B. 2–5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: A surgical hand scrub typically lasts 2–5 minutes using an antimicrobial agent.
Q7. Which PPE is required in the restricted zone?
A. Scrubs, mask, and cap
B. Street clothes
C. Gloves only
D. Gown only
Answer: A
Rationale: Scrubs, mask, and cap are required in the restricted zone.
Q8. What is the purpose of the surgical mask?
A. Prevent droplet transmission
B. Prevent airborne transmission
C. Prevent contact transmission
D. Improve vision
Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical masks prevent droplet transmission from the surgical team to the patient.
, Q9. When should a surgical mask be changed?
A. Every 2 hours
B. Every 4 hours
C. When it becomes moist
D. Every 8 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: A surgical mask should be changed when it becomes moist or soiled.
Q10. What is the purpose of the surgical cap?
A. Prevent hair from contaminating the sterile field
B. Improve vision
C. Prevent droplet transmission
D. Improve grip
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgical cap prevents hair from contaminating the sterile field.
Q11. What is the purpose of shoe covers in the OR?
A. Prevent contamination from footwear
B. Improve grip
C. Prevent droplet transmission
D. Improve vision
Answer: A
Rationale: Shoe covers prevent contamination from footwear entering the OR.
Q12. Which surgical team member is responsible for positioning the patient?
A. Surgeon
B. Scrub nurse
C. Circulating nurse
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse, with assistance, is responsible for positioning the patient.
Q13. What is the purpose of patient positioning during surgery?
A. Provide surgical access and prevent complications
B. Improve vision
C. Reduce surgical time
D. Improve grip
