CNOR Exam Question and Answers with
Rationale Top Rated A+ Latest Version
2026
1.During total hip arthroplasty, a scrub tech notices the sterile mayo
stand has been bumped and shifted slightly toward the nonsterile area
but no instruments fell off. What is the best immediate action?
A. Ignore it if no instruments fell; continue the case.
B. Notify the team, stop instrument use from that stand, and reestablish a
sterile setup (replace the drape or move instruments to a confirmed
sterile field).
C. Wipe the mayo stand with sterile saline and continue.
D. Ask the circulating nurse to push it back into place from the
nonsterile side.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Any compromise of a sterile field's position relative to
the nonsterile area is a contamination risk. Instruments should not
be used until sterility is reestablished.
• A is incorrect — even small shifts can breach sterility.
• C is incorrect — wiping does not reliably restore sterility of drapes
or tables.
• D is incorrect — nonsterile personnel should not reach over or into
the sterile field.
2.
Which sterile technique consideration is most critical when working
with cement (PMMA) in orthopedic cases?
A. Cement handling is sterile only until it cures.
B. PMMA can be handled with nonsterile gloves since it’s bacteriostatic.
,C. Use sterile gloves and instruments for mixing and applying cement;
once cured, polymerized cement is not considered sterile if exposed to
nonsterile surfaces and must be treated per facility policy.
D. Polymerized cement prevents bacterial adhesion so sterility is less
important.
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
• C is correct: Mixing/applying bone cement requires sterile
technique. Exposure of cement to nonsterile surfaces or prolonged
open time can contaminate components; policies vary but sterile
handling is required.
• A is incorrect — sterility is about exposure, not curing time.
• B and D are incorrect — cement is not a substitute for sterile
technique.
3.
What is the safest practice when passing drill bits and reamers during
orthopedic procedures?
A. Hand-to-hand passing with tip-first to expedite transfer.
B. Use a neutral zone or instrument mat to place sharps so the surgeon
retrieves them, minimizing hand-to-hand transfers.
C. Toss them gently to the surgeon.
D. Pass them with the sharp end toward the scrub tech to avoid injuring
the surgeon.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Using a neutral zone prevents sharps injuries during
transfer of large, sharp instruments like drill bits and reamers. The
scrub places the instrument in the neutral zone and the surgeon
picks it up.
, • A, C, and D are unsafe—hand-to-hand passing, tossing, or passing
sharp ends toward personnel increase injury risk.
4.
During an intramedullary nailing, the surgeon asks for a new sterile
mallet but the scrub tech notices the handle’s sterile wrap was torn
during opening. What should the scrub tech do?
A. Use the mallet anyway if it looks clean.
B. Remove the mallet from the sterile field and obtain a properly sterile
mallet.
C. Rewrap the handle with sterile towels and continue.
D. Ask the surgeon if they are comfortable proceeding.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Any instrument with compromised packaging or
wrapping should be considered nonsterile and removed;
replacement with properly sterilized equipment is required.
• A and C are incorrect — visual cleanliness or rewrapping on the
field does not ensure sterility.
• D is incorrect — responsibility for sterility rests on the team, not
surgeon comfort.
5.
Which practice best reduces the risk of retained hardware or fragments
during orthopedic procedures?
A. Count and document all implants, screws, and detachable instrument
parts using a standardized implant log; inspect instruments for broken
parts when removed from field.
B. Rely on the scrub tech’s memory for small screws and washers.
C. Only count sponges—hardware cannot be retained.
D. Assume all implants are accounted for if the surgeon says so.
, Correct answer: A
Rationale:
• A is correct: Implementing standardized implant/part counts,
logging serial numbers, and visually inspecting instruments
reduces retained hardware risk.
• B, C, and D are incorrect and unsafe—counts and documentation
are mandatory.
6.
When performing an open fracture debridement, what is the appropriate
sterile technique for changing from contaminated instruments to a clean
set?
A. Continue using the same instruments after wiping them.
B. Remove contaminated instruments from the sterile field, re-glove or
regown if necessary, and obtain a new sterile instrument set before
definitive fixation.
C. Sterilize instruments in the OR by boiling them.
D. Pass contaminated instruments to the circulating nurse to hold near
the field.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: After debridement of contaminated wounds,
instruments used should be removed and replaced with sterile
instruments for final reconstruction to reduce infection risk;
personnel should change gloves/gowns per protocol.
• A, C, and D are inappropriate and unsafe.
7.
Which sterile technique precaution is important when using power tools
(saws, drills) in the OR?
Rationale Top Rated A+ Latest Version
2026
1.During total hip arthroplasty, a scrub tech notices the sterile mayo
stand has been bumped and shifted slightly toward the nonsterile area
but no instruments fell off. What is the best immediate action?
A. Ignore it if no instruments fell; continue the case.
B. Notify the team, stop instrument use from that stand, and reestablish a
sterile setup (replace the drape or move instruments to a confirmed
sterile field).
C. Wipe the mayo stand with sterile saline and continue.
D. Ask the circulating nurse to push it back into place from the
nonsterile side.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Any compromise of a sterile field's position relative to
the nonsterile area is a contamination risk. Instruments should not
be used until sterility is reestablished.
• A is incorrect — even small shifts can breach sterility.
• C is incorrect — wiping does not reliably restore sterility of drapes
or tables.
• D is incorrect — nonsterile personnel should not reach over or into
the sterile field.
2.
Which sterile technique consideration is most critical when working
with cement (PMMA) in orthopedic cases?
A. Cement handling is sterile only until it cures.
B. PMMA can be handled with nonsterile gloves since it’s bacteriostatic.
,C. Use sterile gloves and instruments for mixing and applying cement;
once cured, polymerized cement is not considered sterile if exposed to
nonsterile surfaces and must be treated per facility policy.
D. Polymerized cement prevents bacterial adhesion so sterility is less
important.
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
• C is correct: Mixing/applying bone cement requires sterile
technique. Exposure of cement to nonsterile surfaces or prolonged
open time can contaminate components; policies vary but sterile
handling is required.
• A is incorrect — sterility is about exposure, not curing time.
• B and D are incorrect — cement is not a substitute for sterile
technique.
3.
What is the safest practice when passing drill bits and reamers during
orthopedic procedures?
A. Hand-to-hand passing with tip-first to expedite transfer.
B. Use a neutral zone or instrument mat to place sharps so the surgeon
retrieves them, minimizing hand-to-hand transfers.
C. Toss them gently to the surgeon.
D. Pass them with the sharp end toward the scrub tech to avoid injuring
the surgeon.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Using a neutral zone prevents sharps injuries during
transfer of large, sharp instruments like drill bits and reamers. The
scrub places the instrument in the neutral zone and the surgeon
picks it up.
, • A, C, and D are unsafe—hand-to-hand passing, tossing, or passing
sharp ends toward personnel increase injury risk.
4.
During an intramedullary nailing, the surgeon asks for a new sterile
mallet but the scrub tech notices the handle’s sterile wrap was torn
during opening. What should the scrub tech do?
A. Use the mallet anyway if it looks clean.
B. Remove the mallet from the sterile field and obtain a properly sterile
mallet.
C. Rewrap the handle with sterile towels and continue.
D. Ask the surgeon if they are comfortable proceeding.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: Any instrument with compromised packaging or
wrapping should be considered nonsterile and removed;
replacement with properly sterilized equipment is required.
• A and C are incorrect — visual cleanliness or rewrapping on the
field does not ensure sterility.
• D is incorrect — responsibility for sterility rests on the team, not
surgeon comfort.
5.
Which practice best reduces the risk of retained hardware or fragments
during orthopedic procedures?
A. Count and document all implants, screws, and detachable instrument
parts using a standardized implant log; inspect instruments for broken
parts when removed from field.
B. Rely on the scrub tech’s memory for small screws and washers.
C. Only count sponges—hardware cannot be retained.
D. Assume all implants are accounted for if the surgeon says so.
, Correct answer: A
Rationale:
• A is correct: Implementing standardized implant/part counts,
logging serial numbers, and visually inspecting instruments
reduces retained hardware risk.
• B, C, and D are incorrect and unsafe—counts and documentation
are mandatory.
6.
When performing an open fracture debridement, what is the appropriate
sterile technique for changing from contaminated instruments to a clean
set?
A. Continue using the same instruments after wiping them.
B. Remove contaminated instruments from the sterile field, re-glove or
regown if necessary, and obtain a new sterile instrument set before
definitive fixation.
C. Sterilize instruments in the OR by boiling them.
D. Pass contaminated instruments to the circulating nurse to hold near
the field.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• B is correct: After debridement of contaminated wounds,
instruments used should be removed and replaced with sterile
instruments for final reconstruction to reduce infection risk;
personnel should change gloves/gowns per protocol.
• A, C, and D are inappropriate and unsafe.
7.
Which sterile technique precaution is important when using power tools
(saws, drills) in the OR?
