AORN Periop 101 Final Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Comprehensive
Perioperative Nursing Assessment with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing Foundations & Patient Safety
Q1: A patient is scheduled for a right total knee arthroplasty. The circulating nurse
enters the room and begins the preoperative verification process. According to the
Universal Protocol and AORN guidelines, which sequence of verification steps is
correct?
A. Verify patient identity, verify surgical site, verify procedure, then perform the time-out
immediately before incision.
B. Verify patient identity using two identifiers, verify the surgical consent, verify the site
marking, verify the procedure, and perform the time-out with the entire surgical team
before incision. [CORRECT]
C. Verify the surgical site only, as the patient has already been identified in the
preoperative holding area.
D. Perform the time-out after the patient is draped and the surgeon is ready to make the
incision.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires active verification at multiple points: patient
identity with two identifiers (name, DOB, medical record number), surgical consent
verification, site marking verification (initiated by the surgeon and visible after prep),
procedure verification, and the time-out conducted with the entire surgical team
immediately before incision. Site-only verification (C) is insufficient, and time-out after
draping (D) is too late to address discrepancies.
Q2: The circulating nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the stretcher to the OR
bed. Which action demonstrates safe patient transfer technique according to AORN
standards?
A. Ask the patient to slide themselves over while the nurse holds the stretcher steady.
B. Use a minimum of two staff members, ensure the OR bed and stretcher are locked
and at equal heights, use a transfer board or draw sheet, and maintain body mechanics
with the nurse positioned at the patient's midsection. [CORRECT]
C. Pull the patient across using the patient's arms for leverage.
D. Transfer the patient alone to demonstrate efficiency and save time.
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Safe patient transfer requires: adequate staffing (minimum two people),
equipment safety checks (locked wheels, equal heights), transfer aids (draw sheet,
transfer board), and proper body mechanics to prevent staff injury. Asking the patient to
self-transfer (A) risks patient falls, pulling by arms (C) risks brachial plexus injury and
nurse back injury, and solo transfer (D) violates safety standards.
Q3: A patient arrives in the preoperative holding area with a history of latex allergy.
Which nursing intervention is the priority to ensure patient safety?
A. Place a latex allergy alert band and ensure a latex-free environment throughout the
perioperative period, including latex-free gloves, tourniquets, Foley catheters, and
anesthesia supplies. [CORRECT]
B. Use standard latex gloves but have diphenhydramine available at the bedside.
C. Remove the allergy alert band to avoid alarming the patient.
D. Use latex products only in the sterile field, as latex is required for sterility.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Latex allergy can cause severe anaphylaxis. AORN standards require a
completely latex-free environment for sensitized patients, including all supplies,
equipment, and anesthesia items. Standard latex gloves (B) are dangerous, removing
the alert band (C) is negligent, and latex in the sterile field (D) is contraindicated.
, Q4: The circulating nurse is performing the preoperative patient assessment. Which
finding requires notification of the anesthesia provider before proceeding to the OR?
A. The patient reports mild anxiety about the upcoming surgery.
B. The patient has a new onset atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 145 bpm and blood
pressure of 88/52 mmHg. [CORRECT]
C. The patient has a history of well-controlled hypertension.
D. The patient ate a light snack 10 hours ago.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New onset atrial fibrillation with tachycardia and hypotension indicates
hemodynamic instability requiring anesthesia evaluation and possible case
postponement for cardiac workup. Mild anxiety (A) is normal, controlled hypertension
(C) is documented, and 10-hour NPO status (D) meets guidelines for most procedures.
Q5: A patient is scheduled for elective surgery and the surgeon has obtained informed
consent. The circulating nurse's role in the consent process includes which action?
A. The nurse obtains the surgical consent and explains the risks and benefits to the
patient.
Perioperative Nursing Assessment with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing Foundations & Patient Safety
Q1: A patient is scheduled for a right total knee arthroplasty. The circulating nurse
enters the room and begins the preoperative verification process. According to the
Universal Protocol and AORN guidelines, which sequence of verification steps is
correct?
A. Verify patient identity, verify surgical site, verify procedure, then perform the time-out
immediately before incision.
B. Verify patient identity using two identifiers, verify the surgical consent, verify the site
marking, verify the procedure, and perform the time-out with the entire surgical team
before incision. [CORRECT]
C. Verify the surgical site only, as the patient has already been identified in the
preoperative holding area.
D. Perform the time-out after the patient is draped and the surgeon is ready to make the
incision.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires active verification at multiple points: patient
identity with two identifiers (name, DOB, medical record number), surgical consent
verification, site marking verification (initiated by the surgeon and visible after prep),
procedure verification, and the time-out conducted with the entire surgical team
immediately before incision. Site-only verification (C) is insufficient, and time-out after
draping (D) is too late to address discrepancies.
Q2: The circulating nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the stretcher to the OR
bed. Which action demonstrates safe patient transfer technique according to AORN
standards?
A. Ask the patient to slide themselves over while the nurse holds the stretcher steady.
B. Use a minimum of two staff members, ensure the OR bed and stretcher are locked
and at equal heights, use a transfer board or draw sheet, and maintain body mechanics
with the nurse positioned at the patient's midsection. [CORRECT]
C. Pull the patient across using the patient's arms for leverage.
D. Transfer the patient alone to demonstrate efficiency and save time.
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Safe patient transfer requires: adequate staffing (minimum two people),
equipment safety checks (locked wheels, equal heights), transfer aids (draw sheet,
transfer board), and proper body mechanics to prevent staff injury. Asking the patient to
self-transfer (A) risks patient falls, pulling by arms (C) risks brachial plexus injury and
nurse back injury, and solo transfer (D) violates safety standards.
Q3: A patient arrives in the preoperative holding area with a history of latex allergy.
Which nursing intervention is the priority to ensure patient safety?
A. Place a latex allergy alert band and ensure a latex-free environment throughout the
perioperative period, including latex-free gloves, tourniquets, Foley catheters, and
anesthesia supplies. [CORRECT]
B. Use standard latex gloves but have diphenhydramine available at the bedside.
C. Remove the allergy alert band to avoid alarming the patient.
D. Use latex products only in the sterile field, as latex is required for sterility.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Latex allergy can cause severe anaphylaxis. AORN standards require a
completely latex-free environment for sensitized patients, including all supplies,
equipment, and anesthesia items. Standard latex gloves (B) are dangerous, removing
the alert band (C) is negligent, and latex in the sterile field (D) is contraindicated.
, Q4: The circulating nurse is performing the preoperative patient assessment. Which
finding requires notification of the anesthesia provider before proceeding to the OR?
A. The patient reports mild anxiety about the upcoming surgery.
B. The patient has a new onset atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 145 bpm and blood
pressure of 88/52 mmHg. [CORRECT]
C. The patient has a history of well-controlled hypertension.
D. The patient ate a light snack 10 hours ago.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New onset atrial fibrillation with tachycardia and hypotension indicates
hemodynamic instability requiring anesthesia evaluation and possible case
postponement for cardiac workup. Mild anxiety (A) is normal, controlled hypertension
(C) is documented, and 10-hour NPO status (D) meets guidelines for most procedures.
Q5: A patient is scheduled for elective surgery and the surgeon has obtained informed
consent. The circulating nurse's role in the consent process includes which action?
A. The nurse obtains the surgical consent and explains the risks and benefits to the
patient.
