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AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
TEST BANK (2025/2026) –
250+ Expected Questions and
Revised Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the primary goal of aseptic technique in the perioperative setting?
A. Reduce surgical time
B. Prevent contamination of the sterile field
C. Improve patient comfort
D. Minimize equipment usage
Correct Answer: B. Prevent contamination of the sterile field
Rationale: Aseptic technique aims to maintain a sterile environment to prevent surgical site
infections (SSIs) by eliminating microorganisms from the patient, environment, equipment, and
supplies. This is critical for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes, unlike the other
options, which are not primary goals of aseptic technique.
Question 2
When applying the concept of surgical conscience, which statement is true?
A. It allows flexibility in aseptic technique for efficiency
B. It requires mental discipline and the ability to speak out
C. It prioritizes speed over accuracy
D. It is optional in non-emergent surgeries
Correct Answer: B. It requires mental discipline and the ability to speak out
Rationale: Surgical conscience involves a commitment to ethical practice, requiring
perioperative team members to maintain mental discipline, adhere to aseptic principles without
compromise, and speak out if standards are violated to ensure patient safety.
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Question 3
Which practice is recommended when preparing a sterile field?
A. Open all sterile supplies for the day in the morning
B. Perform surgical hand antisepsis before setting up the sterile field
C. Prepare sterile fields for multiple patients simultaneously
D. Shake drapes to remove dust before placement
Correct Answer: B. Perform surgical hand antisepsis before setting up the sterile field
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend that perioperative team members perform surgical
hand antisepsis before preparing a sterile field to prevent contamination. Preparing multiple
fields simultaneously or shaking drapes risks contamination, and opening all supplies in advance
is inefficient and unsafe.
Question 4
What is the first step in the sterilization process for surgical instruments used in a procedure?
A. Disinfection
B. Cleaning
C. Sterilization
D. Packaging
Correct Answer: B. Cleaning
Rationale: Cleaning is the first step in the sterilization process, as it removes visible debris and
organic material from instruments, which is essential before disinfection or sterilization to ensure
efficacy.
Question 5
Which of the following is a component of the Joint Commission’s Universal Protocol?
A. Administering antibiotics post-procedure
B. Conducting a pre-procedure verification process
C. Documenting post-operative outcomes
D. Scheduling the surgical procedure
Correct Answer: B. Conducting a pre-procedure verification process
Rationale: The Universal Protocol includes pre-procedure verification, marking the surgical site,
and performing a time-out to ensure patient safety and prevent wrong-site surgery. The other
options are not part of this protocol.
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Question 6
During a time-out, a discrepancy is identified. What is the priority action?
A. Notify the patient’s family
B. Document the discrepancy
C. Stop the procedure until the discrepancy is resolved
D. Proceed with the surgery and resolve later
Correct Answer: C. Stop the procedure until the discrepancy is resolved
Rationale: The time-out is a critical safety step to verify patient identity, procedure, and site.
Any discrepancy must be resolved before proceeding to prevent errors, such as wrong-site
surgery, prioritizing patient safety.
Question 7
Which perioperative role is primarily responsible for maintaining the sterile field?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Scrub person
C. Anesthesia provider
D. Surgical assistant
Correct Answer: B. Scrub person
Rationale: The scrub person (surgical technologist or nurse) is responsible for maintaining the
sterile field by handling sterile instruments and supplies, ensuring aseptic technique is followed
during the procedure,QAprocedure.
Question 8
What is the recommended temperature range for the operating room (OR)?
A. 60–65°F
B. 68–75°F
C. 75–80°F
D. 80–85°F
Correct Answer: B. 68–75°F
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend maintaining OR temperature between 68–75°F to
ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff while supporting infection
control through proper air circulation.
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Question 9
Which of the following is a primary source of fuel in the surgical fire triangle?
A. Oxygen concentrators
B. Draping materials
C. Electrosurgical units
D. Anesthetic gases
Correct Answer: B. Draping materials
Rationale: The fire triangle consists of fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. Draping materials,
such as surgical drapes and gowns, are a primary source of fuel in the OR, as they can ignite
under certain conditions.
Question 10
What is the purpose of immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS)?
A. Routine sterilization of all instruments
B. Emergency sterilization when time is limited
C. Sterilization of non-critical instruments
D. Cleaning of delicate instruments
Correct Answer: B. Emergency sterilization when time is limited
Rationale: IUSS is used only when there is insufficient time to process instruments by the
preferred wrapped or container method, as it carries a higher risk of contamination if not
performed correctly.
Question 11
Which of the following is a key responsibility of the circulating nurse during a surgical
procedure?
A. Administering anesthesia
B. Documenting intraoperative events
C. Handing instruments to the surgeon
D. Positioning the patient
Correct Answer: B. Documenting intraoperative events
Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for documenting intraoperative events, ensuring
patient safety, and coordinating care, while the scrub person handles instruments, and the
anesthesia provider administers anesthesia.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam
TEST BANK (2025/2026) –
250+ Expected Questions and
Revised Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the primary goal of aseptic technique in the perioperative setting?
A. Reduce surgical time
B. Prevent contamination of the sterile field
C. Improve patient comfort
D. Minimize equipment usage
Correct Answer: B. Prevent contamination of the sterile field
Rationale: Aseptic technique aims to maintain a sterile environment to prevent surgical site
infections (SSIs) by eliminating microorganisms from the patient, environment, equipment, and
supplies. This is critical for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes, unlike the other
options, which are not primary goals of aseptic technique.
Question 2
When applying the concept of surgical conscience, which statement is true?
A. It allows flexibility in aseptic technique for efficiency
B. It requires mental discipline and the ability to speak out
C. It prioritizes speed over accuracy
D. It is optional in non-emergent surgeries
Correct Answer: B. It requires mental discipline and the ability to speak out
Rationale: Surgical conscience involves a commitment to ethical practice, requiring
perioperative team members to maintain mental discipline, adhere to aseptic principles without
compromise, and speak out if standards are violated to ensure patient safety.
, 2
Question 3
Which practice is recommended when preparing a sterile field?
A. Open all sterile supplies for the day in the morning
B. Perform surgical hand antisepsis before setting up the sterile field
C. Prepare sterile fields for multiple patients simultaneously
D. Shake drapes to remove dust before placement
Correct Answer: B. Perform surgical hand antisepsis before setting up the sterile field
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend that perioperative team members perform surgical
hand antisepsis before preparing a sterile field to prevent contamination. Preparing multiple
fields simultaneously or shaking drapes risks contamination, and opening all supplies in advance
is inefficient and unsafe.
Question 4
What is the first step in the sterilization process for surgical instruments used in a procedure?
A. Disinfection
B. Cleaning
C. Sterilization
D. Packaging
Correct Answer: B. Cleaning
Rationale: Cleaning is the first step in the sterilization process, as it removes visible debris and
organic material from instruments, which is essential before disinfection or sterilization to ensure
efficacy.
Question 5
Which of the following is a component of the Joint Commission’s Universal Protocol?
A. Administering antibiotics post-procedure
B. Conducting a pre-procedure verification process
C. Documenting post-operative outcomes
D. Scheduling the surgical procedure
Correct Answer: B. Conducting a pre-procedure verification process
Rationale: The Universal Protocol includes pre-procedure verification, marking the surgical site,
and performing a time-out to ensure patient safety and prevent wrong-site surgery. The other
options are not part of this protocol.
, 3
Question 6
During a time-out, a discrepancy is identified. What is the priority action?
A. Notify the patient’s family
B. Document the discrepancy
C. Stop the procedure until the discrepancy is resolved
D. Proceed with the surgery and resolve later
Correct Answer: C. Stop the procedure until the discrepancy is resolved
Rationale: The time-out is a critical safety step to verify patient identity, procedure, and site.
Any discrepancy must be resolved before proceeding to prevent errors, such as wrong-site
surgery, prioritizing patient safety.
Question 7
Which perioperative role is primarily responsible for maintaining the sterile field?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Scrub person
C. Anesthesia provider
D. Surgical assistant
Correct Answer: B. Scrub person
Rationale: The scrub person (surgical technologist or nurse) is responsible for maintaining the
sterile field by handling sterile instruments and supplies, ensuring aseptic technique is followed
during the procedure,QAprocedure.
Question 8
What is the recommended temperature range for the operating room (OR)?
A. 60–65°F
B. 68–75°F
C. 75–80°F
D. 80–85°F
Correct Answer: B. 68–75°F
Rationale: AORN guidelines recommend maintaining OR temperature between 68–75°F to
ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff while supporting infection
control through proper air circulation.
, 4
Question 9
Which of the following is a primary source of fuel in the surgical fire triangle?
A. Oxygen concentrators
B. Draping materials
C. Electrosurgical units
D. Anesthetic gases
Correct Answer: B. Draping materials
Rationale: The fire triangle consists of fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. Draping materials,
such as surgical drapes and gowns, are a primary source of fuel in the OR, as they can ignite
under certain conditions.
Question 10
What is the purpose of immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS)?
A. Routine sterilization of all instruments
B. Emergency sterilization when time is limited
C. Sterilization of non-critical instruments
D. Cleaning of delicate instruments
Correct Answer: B. Emergency sterilization when time is limited
Rationale: IUSS is used only when there is insufficient time to process instruments by the
preferred wrapped or container method, as it carries a higher risk of contamination if not
performed correctly.
Question 11
Which of the following is a key responsibility of the circulating nurse during a surgical
procedure?
A. Administering anesthesia
B. Documenting intraoperative events
C. Handing instruments to the surgeon
D. Positioning the patient
Correct Answer: B. Documenting intraoperative events
Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for documenting intraoperative events, ensuring
patient safety, and coordinating care, while the scrub person handles instruments, and the
anesthesia provider administers anesthesia.
