AORN | Periop 101
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Periop 101
Final Exam
AORN | Complete Q&As
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Perioperative Patient Safety & Positioning Wound Healing & Infection Prevention
Aseptic Technique & Sterile Field Anesthesia & Emergency Protocols
Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTION 1 | Perioperative Patient Safety & Positioning | Q1-Q25
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
Q1. A 72-year-old female patient arrives in the preoperative holding area for a right total knee
arthroplasty. The circulating nurse verifies the patient's identity by checking the wristband and asking
the patient to state her full name and date of birth. This method of patient identification reflects which
required practice?
A. Using at least two patient identifiers to verify identity before any procedure is performed
B. Confirming identity using the medical record number alone for maximum accuracy
C. Relying on the patient's verbal confirmation as the single most reliable method of identification
D. Cross-referencing the surgical schedule with the patient's hospital room number for verification
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Joint Commission requires at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) before any
procedure. Using a room number is explicitly prohibited as an identifier because room assignments can
change. A single identifier is insufficient.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
Q2. A 45-year-old male is in the operating room for a left inguinal hernia repair. Before incision, the
team initiates a time-out procedure, but the surgeon has already picked up the scalpel before the
time-out is completed. The circulating nurse should take which action?
A. Document the time-out as complete since the procedure was already initiated by the surgical team
B. Stop the procedure and require the time-out to be fully completed before any incision is
made
C. Allow the incision to proceed if the surgical site was correctly marked in preoperative holding
D. Verbally confirm only the patient name and allow the procedure to continue without delay
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The time-out must be completed in full before any incision, regardless of site marking or team readiness.
The purpose is to verify correct patient, procedure, site, and other critical elements. Partial confirmation
defeats the safety purpose of the time-out.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 56
,Q3 Question 3 of 100
Q3. A 63-year-old patient is scheduled for a left carpal tunnel release. The preoperative nurse notices
that the surgical site was marked by the surgical resident while the patient was in the preoperative
area. The patient confirms the mark is on the correct hand. According to best practice, who should
mark the surgical site?
A. The circulating nurse with a witnessed confirmation from the patient at the time of marking
B. The surgical technologist after reviewing the consent form details and surgical schedule
C. The person performing the procedure with the patient awake and actively participating in
the process
D. The anesthesia provider during the preanesthesia assessment interview before sedation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
AORN and Joint Commission guidelines state that the person performing the procedure should mark the
site, with the patient awake and participating. Marking by anyone other than the operating practitioner
fails to meet the verification standard.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
Q4. A 58-year-old female is positioned supine for an abdominal hysterectomy. The circulating nurse
ensures the patient's arms are tucked at her sides with palms facing inward and places padding
along the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This action specifically prevents injury to which nerve?
A. Median nerve from compression against the arm board surface during the procedure
B. Radial nerve from pressure along the humerus shaft region while the arm is tucked
C. Brachial plexus from shoulder abduction beyond ninety degrees in the supine position
D. Ulnar nerve from compression between the medial epicondyle and the operating table
surface
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The ulnar nerve runs superficially at the medial epicondyle and is vulnerable to compression against the
OR table when arms are tucked at the sides. Padding at the elbow protects this nerve. The brachial
plexus is injured by shoulder abduction above 90 degrees, not elbow padding.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 56
, Q5 Question 5 of 100
Q5. A 54-year-old male patient is being positioned for a posterior spinal fusion in the prone position.
The circulating nurse notices that the patient's arms are extended above 90 degrees at the shoulder.
The nurse should recognize that this positioning increases the risk for which complication?
A. Brachial plexus injury from excessive shoulder abduction and stretch on the nerve roots
B. Ulnar nerve compression from direct pressure at the medial epicondyle against the arm board
C. Peroneal nerve injury from lateral knee compression against the table edge in prone position
D. Radial nerve damage from improper placement of the arm board beneath the upper extremity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Arm abduction above 90 degrees in the prone position stretches the brachial plexus and increases the
risk of injury. Arms should be positioned at less than 90 degrees of abduction. Ulnar nerve injury involves
elbow pressure, not shoulder position.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
Q6. A 49-year-old male is placed in the lateral decubitus position for a right thoracotomy. The
circulating nurse positions an axillary roll under the dependent axilla just distal to the axillary fold. The
primary purpose of the axillary roll is to prevent which complication?
A. Compression of the brachial plexus in the nondependent upper extremity from shoulder traction
B. Compression of the dependent brachial plexus and vascular structures between the rib
cage and humerus
C. Excessive flexion of the dependent shoulder leading to rotator cuff tear during prolonged surgery
D. Pressure ulcer formation over the dependent greater trochanter from body weight on the table
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The axillary roll is placed distal to the axilla to lift the thorax off the dependent arm, relieving pressure on
the brachial plexus and axillary vessels. The nondependent arm is not compressed by body weight, and
the greater trochanter requires separate padding.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 56
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Periop 101
Final Exam
AORN | Complete Q&As
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Perioperative Patient Safety & Positioning Wound Healing & Infection Prevention
Aseptic Technique & Sterile Field Anesthesia & Emergency Protocols
Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTION 1 | Perioperative Patient Safety & Positioning | Q1-Q25
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
Q1. A 72-year-old female patient arrives in the preoperative holding area for a right total knee
arthroplasty. The circulating nurse verifies the patient's identity by checking the wristband and asking
the patient to state her full name and date of birth. This method of patient identification reflects which
required practice?
A. Using at least two patient identifiers to verify identity before any procedure is performed
B. Confirming identity using the medical record number alone for maximum accuracy
C. Relying on the patient's verbal confirmation as the single most reliable method of identification
D. Cross-referencing the surgical schedule with the patient's hospital room number for verification
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Joint Commission requires at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) before any
procedure. Using a room number is explicitly prohibited as an identifier because room assignments can
change. A single identifier is insufficient.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
Q2. A 45-year-old male is in the operating room for a left inguinal hernia repair. Before incision, the
team initiates a time-out procedure, but the surgeon has already picked up the scalpel before the
time-out is completed. The circulating nurse should take which action?
A. Document the time-out as complete since the procedure was already initiated by the surgical team
B. Stop the procedure and require the time-out to be fully completed before any incision is
made
C. Allow the incision to proceed if the surgical site was correctly marked in preoperative holding
D. Verbally confirm only the patient name and allow the procedure to continue without delay
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The time-out must be completed in full before any incision, regardless of site marking or team readiness.
The purpose is to verify correct patient, procedure, site, and other critical elements. Partial confirmation
defeats the safety purpose of the time-out.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 56
,Q3 Question 3 of 100
Q3. A 63-year-old patient is scheduled for a left carpal tunnel release. The preoperative nurse notices
that the surgical site was marked by the surgical resident while the patient was in the preoperative
area. The patient confirms the mark is on the correct hand. According to best practice, who should
mark the surgical site?
A. The circulating nurse with a witnessed confirmation from the patient at the time of marking
B. The surgical technologist after reviewing the consent form details and surgical schedule
C. The person performing the procedure with the patient awake and actively participating in
the process
D. The anesthesia provider during the preanesthesia assessment interview before sedation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
AORN and Joint Commission guidelines state that the person performing the procedure should mark the
site, with the patient awake and participating. Marking by anyone other than the operating practitioner
fails to meet the verification standard.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
Q4. A 58-year-old female is positioned supine for an abdominal hysterectomy. The circulating nurse
ensures the patient's arms are tucked at her sides with palms facing inward and places padding
along the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This action specifically prevents injury to which nerve?
A. Median nerve from compression against the arm board surface during the procedure
B. Radial nerve from pressure along the humerus shaft region while the arm is tucked
C. Brachial plexus from shoulder abduction beyond ninety degrees in the supine position
D. Ulnar nerve from compression between the medial epicondyle and the operating table
surface
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The ulnar nerve runs superficially at the medial epicondyle and is vulnerable to compression against the
OR table when arms are tucked at the sides. Padding at the elbow protects this nerve. The brachial
plexus is injured by shoulder abduction above 90 degrees, not elbow padding.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 56
, Q5 Question 5 of 100
Q5. A 54-year-old male patient is being positioned for a posterior spinal fusion in the prone position.
The circulating nurse notices that the patient's arms are extended above 90 degrees at the shoulder.
The nurse should recognize that this positioning increases the risk for which complication?
A. Brachial plexus injury from excessive shoulder abduction and stretch on the nerve roots
B. Ulnar nerve compression from direct pressure at the medial epicondyle against the arm board
C. Peroneal nerve injury from lateral knee compression against the table edge in prone position
D. Radial nerve damage from improper placement of the arm board beneath the upper extremity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Arm abduction above 90 degrees in the prone position stretches the brachial plexus and increases the
risk of injury. Arms should be positioned at less than 90 degrees of abduction. Ulnar nerve injury involves
elbow pressure, not shoulder position.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
Q6. A 49-year-old male is placed in the lateral decubitus position for a right thoracotomy. The
circulating nurse positions an axillary roll under the dependent axilla just distal to the axillary fold. The
primary purpose of the axillary roll is to prevent which complication?
A. Compression of the brachial plexus in the nondependent upper extremity from shoulder traction
B. Compression of the dependent brachial plexus and vascular structures between the rib
cage and humerus
C. Excessive flexion of the dependent shoulder leading to rotator cuff tear during prolonged surgery
D. Pressure ulcer formation over the dependent greater trochanter from body weight on the table
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The axillary roll is placed distal to the axilla to lift the thorax off the dependent arm, relieving pressure on
the brachial plexus and axillary vessels. The nondependent arm is not compressed by body weight, and
the greater trochanter requires separate padding.
AORN Periop 101 Final Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 56
