1
CNOR (CERTIFIED NURSE OPERATING ROOM) EXAM PREPARATION 2024/2025
UPDATED WITH TWO COMPREHENSIVE VERSIONS AND VERIFIED 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field in the
operating room?
A) To protect the surgical team from contamination
B) To prevent the transmission of microorganisms to the surgical site
C) To enhance visualization of the surgical site
D) To ensure all instruments are accounted for
Correct Answer:
B) To prevent the transmission of microorganisms to the surgical site
Explanation:
Maintaining a sterile field helps prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) by minimizing the
introduction of microorganisms. While protecting the surgical team (A) is essential, the primary
goal is patient safety. Enhanced visualization (C) is achieved through good lighting and surgical
techniques, and instrument accountability (D) is addressed through surgical counts.
2. During the surgical count, a discrepancy is noted. What is the best action to take next?
A) Notify the circulating nurse and continue the surgery
B) Perform a recount and notify the surgeon immediately if the discrepancy remains
C) Ignore the discrepancy if it involves only tiny items like sponges
D) Document the discrepancy and report it after surgery
Correct Answer:
B) Perform a recount and notify the surgeon immediately if the discrepancy remains
Explanation:
A recount should be performed immediately when a discrepancy is identified. If the item is still
missing, the surgeon must be notified to take appropriate action, such as performing a wound
exploration or obtaining radiographic imaging. Ignoring the discrepancy (C) or waiting until
after surgery (D) poses a significant risk to the patient. Simply notifying the circulating nurse
without further action (A) is inadequate.
3. What is the most appropriate action when a surgical glove becomes torn during a
procedure?
A) Continue working and change gloves after closing the incision
B) Change gloves immediately using an assisted gloving technique
, 2
C) Ask the circulating nurse to reinforce the glove with tape
D) Remove both gloves and continue working barehanded
Correct Answer:
B) Change gloves immediately using an assisted gloving technique
Explanation:
A torn glove compromises sterility, increasing the risk of infection. The proper response is to
change gloves immediately using an assisted or open-gloving technique to maintain sterility.
Continuing with a torn glove (A) is unsafe, taping the glove (C) does not restore sterility, and
working barehanded (D) is a serious violation of sterile technique.
4. Which of the following factors increases a surgical patient’s risk of developing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Frequent repositioning during surgery
B) Hypotension during the procedure
C) Prolonged immobility and positioning during surgery
D) Administration of prophylactic anticoagulants
Correct Answer:
C) Prolonged immobility and positioning during surgery
Explanation:
Prolonged immobility leads to venous stasis, increasing the risk of DVT. Frequent repositioning
(A) helps prevent DVT. Hypotension (B) can be a concern but is not a direct cause of DVT.
Prophylactic anticoagulants (D) help prevent DVT rather than cause it.
5. A patient scheduled for surgery reports having an allergy to latex. What is the best
intervention?
A) Schedule the patient as the first case of the day and use non-latex supplies
B) Administer antihistamines before the surgery to prevent a reaction
C) Have the patient wear an N95 mask to prevent latex exposure
D) No special precautions are needed unless the allergy is severe
Correct Answer:
A) Schedule the patient as the first case of the day and use non-latex supplies
Explanation:
Latex particles can remain in the air and contaminate the surgical environment. Scheduling the
patient as the first case reduces exposure to airborne latex. Antihistamines (B) do not entirely
prevent an allergic reaction. A mask (C) does not protect against latex exposure, and all latex-
allergic patients (D) require precautions, even if the allergy is mild.
, 3
6. When positioning a patient in the lithotomy position, which precaution is most
important?
A) Keeping the patient's legs in an abducted position at all times
B) Raising and lowering both legs together to prevent hip dislocation
C) Ensuring that the feet are placed at different heights to prevent pressure sores
D) Securing the arms across the chest to prevent nerve injury
Correct Answer:
B) Raising and lowering both legs together to prevent hip dislocation
Explanation:
Both legs should be moved simultaneously to prevent musculoskeletal and nerve injuries when
moving a patient in the lithotomy position. Abducting the legs (A) excessively can cause strain.
Keeping feet at different heights (C) is incorrect, as it increases the risk of injury. Arms should be
secured on padded armrests (D), not across the chest, to prevent brachial plexus injuries.
7. Which of the following methods is most effective for preventing hypothermia in surgical
patients?
A) Keeping the operating room temperature below 18°C (64°F)
B) Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices
C) Applying ice packs to the patient's forehead to regulate body temperature
D) Encouraging deep breathing exercises during surgery
Correct Answer:
B) Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices
Explanation:
Hypothermia can lead to complications such as delayed wound healing and increased infection
risk. Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices helps maintain normothermia.
Keeping the OR too cold (A) contributes to hypothermia. Ice packs (C) are used for fever
management, not for preventing surgical hypothermia. Deep breathing exercises (D) are
beneficial postoperatively but do not prevent intraoperative hypothermia.
8. What is the best action when preparing a patient for surgery who has a history of
malignant hyperthermia?
CNOR (CERTIFIED NURSE OPERATING ROOM) EXAM PREPARATION 2024/2025
UPDATED WITH TWO COMPREHENSIVE VERSIONS AND VERIFIED 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of maintaining a sterile field in the
operating room?
A) To protect the surgical team from contamination
B) To prevent the transmission of microorganisms to the surgical site
C) To enhance visualization of the surgical site
D) To ensure all instruments are accounted for
Correct Answer:
B) To prevent the transmission of microorganisms to the surgical site
Explanation:
Maintaining a sterile field helps prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) by minimizing the
introduction of microorganisms. While protecting the surgical team (A) is essential, the primary
goal is patient safety. Enhanced visualization (C) is achieved through good lighting and surgical
techniques, and instrument accountability (D) is addressed through surgical counts.
2. During the surgical count, a discrepancy is noted. What is the best action to take next?
A) Notify the circulating nurse and continue the surgery
B) Perform a recount and notify the surgeon immediately if the discrepancy remains
C) Ignore the discrepancy if it involves only tiny items like sponges
D) Document the discrepancy and report it after surgery
Correct Answer:
B) Perform a recount and notify the surgeon immediately if the discrepancy remains
Explanation:
A recount should be performed immediately when a discrepancy is identified. If the item is still
missing, the surgeon must be notified to take appropriate action, such as performing a wound
exploration or obtaining radiographic imaging. Ignoring the discrepancy (C) or waiting until
after surgery (D) poses a significant risk to the patient. Simply notifying the circulating nurse
without further action (A) is inadequate.
3. What is the most appropriate action when a surgical glove becomes torn during a
procedure?
A) Continue working and change gloves after closing the incision
B) Change gloves immediately using an assisted gloving technique
, 2
C) Ask the circulating nurse to reinforce the glove with tape
D) Remove both gloves and continue working barehanded
Correct Answer:
B) Change gloves immediately using an assisted gloving technique
Explanation:
A torn glove compromises sterility, increasing the risk of infection. The proper response is to
change gloves immediately using an assisted or open-gloving technique to maintain sterility.
Continuing with a torn glove (A) is unsafe, taping the glove (C) does not restore sterility, and
working barehanded (D) is a serious violation of sterile technique.
4. Which of the following factors increases a surgical patient’s risk of developing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Frequent repositioning during surgery
B) Hypotension during the procedure
C) Prolonged immobility and positioning during surgery
D) Administration of prophylactic anticoagulants
Correct Answer:
C) Prolonged immobility and positioning during surgery
Explanation:
Prolonged immobility leads to venous stasis, increasing the risk of DVT. Frequent repositioning
(A) helps prevent DVT. Hypotension (B) can be a concern but is not a direct cause of DVT.
Prophylactic anticoagulants (D) help prevent DVT rather than cause it.
5. A patient scheduled for surgery reports having an allergy to latex. What is the best
intervention?
A) Schedule the patient as the first case of the day and use non-latex supplies
B) Administer antihistamines before the surgery to prevent a reaction
C) Have the patient wear an N95 mask to prevent latex exposure
D) No special precautions are needed unless the allergy is severe
Correct Answer:
A) Schedule the patient as the first case of the day and use non-latex supplies
Explanation:
Latex particles can remain in the air and contaminate the surgical environment. Scheduling the
patient as the first case reduces exposure to airborne latex. Antihistamines (B) do not entirely
prevent an allergic reaction. A mask (C) does not protect against latex exposure, and all latex-
allergic patients (D) require precautions, even if the allergy is mild.
, 3
6. When positioning a patient in the lithotomy position, which precaution is most
important?
A) Keeping the patient's legs in an abducted position at all times
B) Raising and lowering both legs together to prevent hip dislocation
C) Ensuring that the feet are placed at different heights to prevent pressure sores
D) Securing the arms across the chest to prevent nerve injury
Correct Answer:
B) Raising and lowering both legs together to prevent hip dislocation
Explanation:
Both legs should be moved simultaneously to prevent musculoskeletal and nerve injuries when
moving a patient in the lithotomy position. Abducting the legs (A) excessively can cause strain.
Keeping feet at different heights (C) is incorrect, as it increases the risk of injury. Arms should be
secured on padded armrests (D), not across the chest, to prevent brachial plexus injuries.
7. Which of the following methods is most effective for preventing hypothermia in surgical
patients?
A) Keeping the operating room temperature below 18°C (64°F)
B) Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices
C) Applying ice packs to the patient's forehead to regulate body temperature
D) Encouraging deep breathing exercises during surgery
Correct Answer:
B) Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices
Explanation:
Hypothermia can lead to complications such as delayed wound healing and increased infection
risk. Using warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming devices helps maintain normothermia.
Keeping the OR too cold (A) contributes to hypothermia. Ice packs (C) are used for fever
management, not for preventing surgical hypothermia. Deep breathing exercises (D) are
beneficial postoperatively but do not prevent intraoperative hypothermia.
8. What is the best action when preparing a patient for surgery who has a history of
malignant hyperthermia?
