PERIOP 101 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL TEST SPRING 2026/2027
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Section 1: Aseptic Principles & Sterile Technique Mastery (Q1-18)
Q1. A circulating nurse observes that a scrubbed technologist's glove has torn during
a procedure. The technologist is currently handling sterile instruments. What is the
FIRST priority action?
A. Immediately remove all sterile items from the Mayo stand.
B. Instruct the technologist to keep the torn glove on and continue working.
C. Instruct the technologist to step away from the sterile field, remove the
contaminated glove, and reglove using closed gloving technique. [CORRECT]
D. Apply a glove over the torn glove and continue the procedure.
Rationale: The torn glove represents a break in sterile technique; the technologist
must immediately leave the sterile field, remove the contaminated glove, and reglove
properly. A is excessive; B and D perpetuate contamination.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. During surgical hand preparation, a scrub nurse uses an alcohol-based surgical
hand rub. What is the minimum recommended fingernail length to maintain effective
asepsis?
A. No specific length requirement exists for alcohol-based rubs.
B. Fingernails should be trimmed to no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length.
[CORRECT]
C. Fingernails may be any length as long as artificial nails are not worn.
,D. Fingernails should be trimmed flush with the fingertip only when wearing artificial
nails.
Rationale: Fingernails must be ≤1/4 inch regardless of scrub method to reduce
microbial harboring and glove perforation risk. A and C are incorrect; D incorrectly
suggests artificial nails are acceptable.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A scrubbed technologist is establishing a sterile back table. Which action violates
sterile technique principles?
A. Draping the table so that the sterile drape hangs below the table level on all sides.
B. Ensuring the 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field is considered non-
sterile.
C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item from the opposite side.
[CORRECT]
D. Organizing instruments with the tips facing away from the edge of the table.
Rationale: Reaching across the sterile field (C) risks contamination from unsterile
attire/sleeves. A is correct technique; B correctly identifies the 1-inch border; D is
proper organization.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A perioperative nurse is opening a wrapped sterile basin set. At what point does
the inner contents become sterile?
A. When the outer wrapper is completely removed from the package.
B. When the wrapper is opened to expose the inner contents without touching them.
C. When the final flap is opened by the scrubbed person and the contents are
presented without contamination. [CORRECT]
D. When the package is placed on the sterile field regardless of opening technique.
,Rationale: Sterility is achieved only when the final flap is opened aseptically by the
scrubbed person and contents are presented without contact with non-sterile
surfaces. A and B are premature; D ignores opening technique.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. During a procedure, a sterile instrument falls off the Mayo stand onto the floor.
What is the appropriate response?
A. Retrieve the instrument, wipe it with sterile saline, and return it to the sterile field.
B. Leave the instrument on the floor and continue the procedure.
C. Consider the instrument contaminated, remove it from the room, and obtain a
replacement sterile instrument. [CORRECT]
D. Rinse the instrument with povidone-iodine and return it to the field.
Rationale: Any item falling below the sterile field level is considered contaminated
and must be discarded; replacement is required. A, B, and D attempt to
recontaminate or ignore the breach.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. A nurse is scrubbing for a procedure and needs to don a sterile gown and gloves.
Which sequence is correct for closed gloving?
A. Don gloves first, then don gown over the gloves.
B. Don gown, keep hands inside the sleeves, then don gloves using the sleeve cuff
without exposing the wrist. [CORRECT]
C. Don gown with hands exposed, then pull gloves over the gown cuffs.
D. Don one glove, then don the gown, then don the second glove.
Rationale: Closed gloving requires donning the gown first with hands protected
inside sleeves, then gloving without wrist exposure. A, C, and D expose skin or use
incorrect sequencing.
Correct Answer: B
, Q7. A perioperative nurse is preparing for a long orthopedic procedure and elects to
double-glove. What is the PRIMARY indication for double-gloving in this scenario?
A. To improve tactile sensation during delicate tissue handling.
B. To reduce the risk of inner glove contamination if the outer glove is perforated.
[CORRECT]
C. To allow the outer glove to be removed without changing the inner glove between
cases.
D. To comply with AORN recommendations for all procedures regardless of duration
or risk.
Rationale: Double-gloving primarily reduces infection risk by maintaining a second
barrier if the outer glove perforates. A is incorrect (tactile sensation decreases); C is
unhygienic; D overstates the recommendation.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. A scrub technologist is transferring a sterile item from one sterile person to
another. Which technique is correct?
A. Toss the item through the air to the receiving sterile person.
B. Place the item on a non-sterile surface for the receiving person to pick up.
C. Open the peel pack to expose the sterile item, presenting it for the receiving sterile
person to grasp without contamination. [CORRECT]
D. Hand the item directly from one gloved hand to another gloved hand.
Rationale: Sterile-to-sterile transfer requires presenting the item from the opened
peel pack without direct hand-to-hand contact or non-sterile surface placement. A
risks dropping; B contaminates; D risks glove-to-glove contact issues.
Correct Answer: C
| AORN Final Certification | 100% Verified Answers | Highly
Rated | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Aseptic Principles & Sterile Technique Mastery (Q1-18)
Q1. A circulating nurse observes that a scrubbed technologist's glove has torn during
a procedure. The technologist is currently handling sterile instruments. What is the
FIRST priority action?
A. Immediately remove all sterile items from the Mayo stand.
B. Instruct the technologist to keep the torn glove on and continue working.
C. Instruct the technologist to step away from the sterile field, remove the
contaminated glove, and reglove using closed gloving technique. [CORRECT]
D. Apply a glove over the torn glove and continue the procedure.
Rationale: The torn glove represents a break in sterile technique; the technologist
must immediately leave the sterile field, remove the contaminated glove, and reglove
properly. A is excessive; B and D perpetuate contamination.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. During surgical hand preparation, a scrub nurse uses an alcohol-based surgical
hand rub. What is the minimum recommended fingernail length to maintain effective
asepsis?
A. No specific length requirement exists for alcohol-based rubs.
B. Fingernails should be trimmed to no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length.
[CORRECT]
C. Fingernails may be any length as long as artificial nails are not worn.
,D. Fingernails should be trimmed flush with the fingertip only when wearing artificial
nails.
Rationale: Fingernails must be ≤1/4 inch regardless of scrub method to reduce
microbial harboring and glove perforation risk. A and C are incorrect; D incorrectly
suggests artificial nails are acceptable.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A scrubbed technologist is establishing a sterile back table. Which action violates
sterile technique principles?
A. Draping the table so that the sterile drape hangs below the table level on all sides.
B. Ensuring the 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field is considered non-
sterile.
C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item from the opposite side.
[CORRECT]
D. Organizing instruments with the tips facing away from the edge of the table.
Rationale: Reaching across the sterile field (C) risks contamination from unsterile
attire/sleeves. A is correct technique; B correctly identifies the 1-inch border; D is
proper organization.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A perioperative nurse is opening a wrapped sterile basin set. At what point does
the inner contents become sterile?
A. When the outer wrapper is completely removed from the package.
B. When the wrapper is opened to expose the inner contents without touching them.
C. When the final flap is opened by the scrubbed person and the contents are
presented without contamination. [CORRECT]
D. When the package is placed on the sterile field regardless of opening technique.
,Rationale: Sterility is achieved only when the final flap is opened aseptically by the
scrubbed person and contents are presented without contact with non-sterile
surfaces. A and B are premature; D ignores opening technique.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. During a procedure, a sterile instrument falls off the Mayo stand onto the floor.
What is the appropriate response?
A. Retrieve the instrument, wipe it with sterile saline, and return it to the sterile field.
B. Leave the instrument on the floor and continue the procedure.
C. Consider the instrument contaminated, remove it from the room, and obtain a
replacement sterile instrument. [CORRECT]
D. Rinse the instrument with povidone-iodine and return it to the field.
Rationale: Any item falling below the sterile field level is considered contaminated
and must be discarded; replacement is required. A, B, and D attempt to
recontaminate or ignore the breach.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. A nurse is scrubbing for a procedure and needs to don a sterile gown and gloves.
Which sequence is correct for closed gloving?
A. Don gloves first, then don gown over the gloves.
B. Don gown, keep hands inside the sleeves, then don gloves using the sleeve cuff
without exposing the wrist. [CORRECT]
C. Don gown with hands exposed, then pull gloves over the gown cuffs.
D. Don one glove, then don the gown, then don the second glove.
Rationale: Closed gloving requires donning the gown first with hands protected
inside sleeves, then gloving without wrist exposure. A, C, and D expose skin or use
incorrect sequencing.
Correct Answer: B
, Q7. A perioperative nurse is preparing for a long orthopedic procedure and elects to
double-glove. What is the PRIMARY indication for double-gloving in this scenario?
A. To improve tactile sensation during delicate tissue handling.
B. To reduce the risk of inner glove contamination if the outer glove is perforated.
[CORRECT]
C. To allow the outer glove to be removed without changing the inner glove between
cases.
D. To comply with AORN recommendations for all procedures regardless of duration
or risk.
Rationale: Double-gloving primarily reduces infection risk by maintaining a second
barrier if the outer glove perforates. A is incorrect (tactile sensation decreases); C is
unhygienic; D overstates the recommendation.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. A scrub technologist is transferring a sterile item from one sterile person to
another. Which technique is correct?
A. Toss the item through the air to the receiving sterile person.
B. Place the item on a non-sterile surface for the receiving person to pick up.
C. Open the peel pack to expose the sterile item, presenting it for the receiving sterile
person to grasp without contamination. [CORRECT]
D. Hand the item directly from one gloved hand to another gloved hand.
Rationale: Sterile-to-sterile transfer requires presenting the item from the opened
peel pack without direct hand-to-hand contact or non-sterile surface placement. A
risks dropping; B contaminates; D risks glove-to-glove contact issues.
Correct Answer: C
