AORN Periop 101 Final Exam Perioperative Nursing Question
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Total Questions: 50
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes
Passing Score: 80%
Instructions: Select the BEST answer for each question based on AORN Guidelines for
Perioperative Practice and Periop 101 course content.
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS & STERILE TECHNIQUE
Questions 1–8
Question 1
A scrubbed surgical technologist turns away from the sterile field to reach for a dropped
instrument on the floor. The circulating nurse observes this action. According to AORN
guidelines, what is the circulating nurse's priority intervention?
A. Allow the technologist to continue since the gown and gloves remain intact
B. Immediately stop the procedure and call for a new sterile setup
,C. Inform the technologist that the back of the gown is considered unsterile and
corrective action is needed
D. Document the break in sterile technique in the operative record after the procedure
concludes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile because it cannot be
visually monitored by the wearer; turning away from the sterile field exposes the back to
potential contamination, and the technologist must be immediately counseled to
maintain surgical conscience. Option A is incorrect because intact gloves do not negate
the unsterile status of the gown's back. Option B is excessive unless the sterile field
itself was directly contaminated. Option D delays necessary immediate corrective
action, which violates the principle of surgical accountability.
Question 2
During a lengthy abdominal procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture wicking
through the sterile drape at the instrument table edge. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
A. Place an additional sterile towel over the wet area and continue
B. Consider the area contaminated, remove the affected items, and reestablish the
sterile field
C. Allow the area to air dry naturally since the drape is impermeable
D. Apply sterile adhesive tape around the perimeter to seal the moisture
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture wicking through a sterile drape creates a strike-through that
compromises the sterile barrier, requiring removal of affected items and
reestablishment of the field per AORN sterile technique standards. Option A is incorrect
because covering a contaminated area does not restore sterility. Option C is incorrect
because wicking indicates the barrier has been breached. Option D is incorrect because
tape does not address underlying contamination and is not an approved method for
managing strike-through.
Question 3
A novice perioperative nurse is preparing to scrub for a total knee arthroplasty. Which
action demonstrates correct surgical hand antisepsis technique?
A. Scrubbing from fingertips to elbows with a circular motion, keeping hands elevated
above elbows
B. Scrubbing from elbows to fingertips to push debris away from clean areas
C. Washing hands under running water for 2 minutes without antimicrobial agent
D. Scrubbing arms first, then returning to clean hands with the same brush
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AORN guidelines specify that surgical hand antisepsis should proceed from
fingertips to elbows using circular motions, keeping hands elevated to allow water to
flow from clean to less clean areas. Option B reverses the correct direction and would
carry debris toward the hands. Option C omits the required antimicrobial agent
, necessary for surgical hand antisepsis. Option D recontaminates the hands by returning
to them after scrubbing the arms.
Question 4
A sterile field has been established for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The surgeon
requests a sterile solution that is located on the back table outside the immediate
sterile field. How should the circulator transfer the solution to the sterile field?
A. Open the solution container and pour it directly over the sterile drapes
B. Place the opened container on the edge of the sterile field for the scrub person to
pick up
C. Hold the container at a distance and pour into a sterile receptacle held by the
scrubbed person
D. Place the unopened container on the sterile field for the scrub person to open
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AORN guidelines require that unsterile personnel pour solutions into sterile
receptacles held by scrubbed personnel without reaching over the sterile field,
maintaining the integrity of the sterile barrier. Option A risks contamination by pouring
over rather than into the field. Option B places a non-sterile container onto the sterile
field, causing contamination. Option D places an unopened but non-sterile container
onto the sterile field, which is a direct break in sterile technique.
Question 5
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Total Questions: 50
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes
Passing Score: 80%
Instructions: Select the BEST answer for each question based on AORN Guidelines for
Perioperative Practice and Periop 101 course content.
SECTION 1: SURGICAL ASEPSIS & STERILE TECHNIQUE
Questions 1–8
Question 1
A scrubbed surgical technologist turns away from the sterile field to reach for a dropped
instrument on the floor. The circulating nurse observes this action. According to AORN
guidelines, what is the circulating nurse's priority intervention?
A. Allow the technologist to continue since the gown and gloves remain intact
B. Immediately stop the procedure and call for a new sterile setup
,C. Inform the technologist that the back of the gown is considered unsterile and
corrective action is needed
D. Document the break in sterile technique in the operative record after the procedure
concludes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile because it cannot be
visually monitored by the wearer; turning away from the sterile field exposes the back to
potential contamination, and the technologist must be immediately counseled to
maintain surgical conscience. Option A is incorrect because intact gloves do not negate
the unsterile status of the gown's back. Option B is excessive unless the sterile field
itself was directly contaminated. Option D delays necessary immediate corrective
action, which violates the principle of surgical accountability.
Question 2
During a lengthy abdominal procedure, the scrub nurse notices moisture wicking
through the sterile drape at the instrument table edge. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
A. Place an additional sterile towel over the wet area and continue
B. Consider the area contaminated, remove the affected items, and reestablish the
sterile field
C. Allow the area to air dry naturally since the drape is impermeable
D. Apply sterile adhesive tape around the perimeter to seal the moisture
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Moisture wicking through a sterile drape creates a strike-through that
compromises the sterile barrier, requiring removal of affected items and
reestablishment of the field per AORN sterile technique standards. Option A is incorrect
because covering a contaminated area does not restore sterility. Option C is incorrect
because wicking indicates the barrier has been breached. Option D is incorrect because
tape does not address underlying contamination and is not an approved method for
managing strike-through.
Question 3
A novice perioperative nurse is preparing to scrub for a total knee arthroplasty. Which
action demonstrates correct surgical hand antisepsis technique?
A. Scrubbing from fingertips to elbows with a circular motion, keeping hands elevated
above elbows
B. Scrubbing from elbows to fingertips to push debris away from clean areas
C. Washing hands under running water for 2 minutes without antimicrobial agent
D. Scrubbing arms first, then returning to clean hands with the same brush
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AORN guidelines specify that surgical hand antisepsis should proceed from
fingertips to elbows using circular motions, keeping hands elevated to allow water to
flow from clean to less clean areas. Option B reverses the correct direction and would
carry debris toward the hands. Option C omits the required antimicrobial agent
, necessary for surgical hand antisepsis. Option D recontaminates the hands by returning
to them after scrubbing the arms.
Question 4
A sterile field has been established for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The surgeon
requests a sterile solution that is located on the back table outside the immediate
sterile field. How should the circulator transfer the solution to the sterile field?
A. Open the solution container and pour it directly over the sterile drapes
B. Place the opened container on the edge of the sterile field for the scrub person to
pick up
C. Hold the container at a distance and pour into a sterile receptacle held by the
scrubbed person
D. Place the unopened container on the sterile field for the scrub person to open
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AORN guidelines require that unsterile personnel pour solutions into sterile
receptacles held by scrubbed personnel without reaching over the sterile field,
maintaining the integrity of the sterile barrier. Option A risks contamination by pouring
over rather than into the field. Option B places a non-sterile container onto the sterile
field, causing contamination. Option D places an unopened but non-sterile container
onto the sterile field, which is a direct break in sterile technique.
Question 5
