CNOR Certification Exam Prep 2026: 230 Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales | Complete Perioperative Nursing Review
for Patient Safety, Infection Control, Emergency Situations &
Professional Accountability
Prepare for the CNOR certification exam with 230 practice questions covering all CCI domains:
patient care and safety, infection prevention, emergency situations, and professional
accountability. Each question includes correct answers in bold italic with detailed rationales.
Updated for 2026 AORN Guidelines.
About the CNOR Exam
The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential is the only accredited certification for
perioperative registered nurses, awarded by the Competency & Credentialing Institute
(CCI). Over 40,000 nurses internationally hold this credential.
Exam Content Domains
Domain Percentage
Patient Care and Safety 25%
Infection Prevention and Control 16%
Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment & Diagnosis 15%
Communication and Documentation 11%
Emergency Situations 10%
Management of Personnel, Services, and Materials 9%
Individualized Plan of Care Development 8%
Professional Accountability 6%
,Domain: Patient Care and Safety (25%)
1. During a laser procedure, the disposable paper drapes ignite and begin to burn.
What type of extinguisher should be used on this fire?
A) Class BC
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) Class ABC
Correct Answer: D) Class ABC
Rationale: Class ABC extinguishers are suitable for ordinary combustibles (paper, wood),
flammable liquids, and electrical equipment. Laser fires involve paper drapes (Class A)
and possibly electrical equipment (Class C), so an ABC extinguisher is appropriate.
2. An 11-year-old patient has just undergone a closed reduction of a radial and
ulnar fracture under general anesthesia. A plaster tubular cast is applied. What
should the perioperative nurse do to prevent complications in the immediate
postoperative period?
A) Check fingers for temperature and color
B) Keep arm at same height as fingertips only
C) Handle cast with fingertips only
D) Keep arm covered with blanket to promote cast drying
Correct Answer: A) Check fingers for temperature and color
,Rationale: The priority is to assess neurovascular status distal to the cast. Checking
temperature, color, capillary refill, sensation, and movement helps detect compartment
syndrome or circulatory compromise.
3. A 49-year-old firefighter with 60% second- and third-degree burns on his torso
and lower extremities is undergoing tangential excision and split-thickness skin
grafting. Which potential complication is the highest priority during the
immediate postoperative period?
A) Potential for knowledge deficit
B) Potential for compromise in skin integrity
C) Potential for fluid and electrolyte imbalance
D) Potential for elevated body temperature
Correct Answer: C) Potential for fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Rationale: Massive burns cause massive fluid shifts, leading to hypovolemia, electrolyte
disturbances, and possible burn shock. Fluid resuscitation is critical in the early
postoperative period.
4. A patient is undergoing a total hip arthroplasty. The surgeon requests that a
cement restrictor be placed in the femoral canal. What is the primary purpose of a
cement restrictor?
A) To prevent cement from entering the distal femur
B) To enhance antibiotic mixing
C) To improve rotational stability of the prosthesis
D) To act as a spacer for trial reduction
Correct Answer: A) To prevent cement from entering the distal femur
Rationale: A cement restrictor is placed in the medullary canal to occlude the distal
portion, preventing bone cement from migrating too far distally and allowing controlled
pressurization of the proximal femur.
, 5. During a total knee arthroplasty, the pneumatic tourniquet has been inflated for
90 minutes. The surgeon asks to continue for another 30 minutes. What is the
appropriate nursing action?
A) Deflate the tourniquet immediately
B) Inflate the tourniquet to a higher pressure
C) Notify the surgeon of the elapsed time and document
D) Replace the tourniquet cuff with a larger size
Correct Answer: C) Notify the surgeon of the elapsed time and document
Rationale: Tourniquet time should be minimized to reduce risk of nerve injury, ischemia,
and reperfusion injury. Standard practice is to limit tourniquet inflation to 2 hours for
upper extremities and 1.5–2 hours for lower extremities. The nurse should communicate
the elapsed time to the surgical team.
6. A patient is placed in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy. Which
of the following is a key nursing intervention to prevent nerve injury?
A) Place padding under the popliteal spaces
B) Restrict hip flexion to 45 degrees
C) Elevate the arms above the heart
D) Use an egg-crate mattress
Correct Answer: A) Place padding under the popliteal spaces
Rationale: In lithotomy position, the popliteal fossa must be padded to prevent
compression of the common peroneal nerve, which can cause foot drop. Hip flexion
should not exceed 80–90 degrees to avoid femoral nerve stretch.
7. A patient is undergoing a craniotomy for tumor resection. The surgeon requests
that the head be placed in a Mayfield headrest. What is the primary concern
regarding the pin sites?
Answers & Rationales | Complete Perioperative Nursing Review
for Patient Safety, Infection Control, Emergency Situations &
Professional Accountability
Prepare for the CNOR certification exam with 230 practice questions covering all CCI domains:
patient care and safety, infection prevention, emergency situations, and professional
accountability. Each question includes correct answers in bold italic with detailed rationales.
Updated for 2026 AORN Guidelines.
About the CNOR Exam
The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential is the only accredited certification for
perioperative registered nurses, awarded by the Competency & Credentialing Institute
(CCI). Over 40,000 nurses internationally hold this credential.
Exam Content Domains
Domain Percentage
Patient Care and Safety 25%
Infection Prevention and Control 16%
Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment & Diagnosis 15%
Communication and Documentation 11%
Emergency Situations 10%
Management of Personnel, Services, and Materials 9%
Individualized Plan of Care Development 8%
Professional Accountability 6%
,Domain: Patient Care and Safety (25%)
1. During a laser procedure, the disposable paper drapes ignite and begin to burn.
What type of extinguisher should be used on this fire?
A) Class BC
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) Class ABC
Correct Answer: D) Class ABC
Rationale: Class ABC extinguishers are suitable for ordinary combustibles (paper, wood),
flammable liquids, and electrical equipment. Laser fires involve paper drapes (Class A)
and possibly electrical equipment (Class C), so an ABC extinguisher is appropriate.
2. An 11-year-old patient has just undergone a closed reduction of a radial and
ulnar fracture under general anesthesia. A plaster tubular cast is applied. What
should the perioperative nurse do to prevent complications in the immediate
postoperative period?
A) Check fingers for temperature and color
B) Keep arm at same height as fingertips only
C) Handle cast with fingertips only
D) Keep arm covered with blanket to promote cast drying
Correct Answer: A) Check fingers for temperature and color
,Rationale: The priority is to assess neurovascular status distal to the cast. Checking
temperature, color, capillary refill, sensation, and movement helps detect compartment
syndrome or circulatory compromise.
3. A 49-year-old firefighter with 60% second- and third-degree burns on his torso
and lower extremities is undergoing tangential excision and split-thickness skin
grafting. Which potential complication is the highest priority during the
immediate postoperative period?
A) Potential for knowledge deficit
B) Potential for compromise in skin integrity
C) Potential for fluid and electrolyte imbalance
D) Potential for elevated body temperature
Correct Answer: C) Potential for fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Rationale: Massive burns cause massive fluid shifts, leading to hypovolemia, electrolyte
disturbances, and possible burn shock. Fluid resuscitation is critical in the early
postoperative period.
4. A patient is undergoing a total hip arthroplasty. The surgeon requests that a
cement restrictor be placed in the femoral canal. What is the primary purpose of a
cement restrictor?
A) To prevent cement from entering the distal femur
B) To enhance antibiotic mixing
C) To improve rotational stability of the prosthesis
D) To act as a spacer for trial reduction
Correct Answer: A) To prevent cement from entering the distal femur
Rationale: A cement restrictor is placed in the medullary canal to occlude the distal
portion, preventing bone cement from migrating too far distally and allowing controlled
pressurization of the proximal femur.
, 5. During a total knee arthroplasty, the pneumatic tourniquet has been inflated for
90 minutes. The surgeon asks to continue for another 30 minutes. What is the
appropriate nursing action?
A) Deflate the tourniquet immediately
B) Inflate the tourniquet to a higher pressure
C) Notify the surgeon of the elapsed time and document
D) Replace the tourniquet cuff with a larger size
Correct Answer: C) Notify the surgeon of the elapsed time and document
Rationale: Tourniquet time should be minimized to reduce risk of nerve injury, ischemia,
and reperfusion injury. Standard practice is to limit tourniquet inflation to 2 hours for
upper extremities and 1.5–2 hours for lower extremities. The nurse should communicate
the elapsed time to the surgical team.
6. A patient is placed in the lithotomy position for a vaginal hysterectomy. Which
of the following is a key nursing intervention to prevent nerve injury?
A) Place padding under the popliteal spaces
B) Restrict hip flexion to 45 degrees
C) Elevate the arms above the heart
D) Use an egg-crate mattress
Correct Answer: A) Place padding under the popliteal spaces
Rationale: In lithotomy position, the popliteal fossa must be padded to prevent
compression of the common peroneal nerve, which can cause foot drop. Hip flexion
should not exceed 80–90 degrees to avoid femoral nerve stretch.
7. A patient is undergoing a craniotomy for tumor resection. The surgeon requests
that the head be placed in a Mayfield headrest. What is the primary concern
regarding the pin sites?
