Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. The most important reason for performing a surgical hand scrub
before donning sterile gloves is to:
A. Remove visible dirt from hands
B. Reduce transient and resident microbial flora
C. Satisfy regulatory requirements
D. Prevent glove tearing
Rationale: Surgical hand scrubbing reduces both transient and
resident flora, significantly lowering the risk of surgical site infection.
2. Which of the following is a key component of the Universal
Protocol for preventing wrong-site surgery?
A. Sterile technique
B. Preoperative verification and site marking
C. Counting surgical instruments
D. Antibiotic prophylaxis
Rationale: The Universal Protocol mandates preoperative verification,
marking the surgical site, and performing a time-out before incision.
3. During a laparoscopic procedure, the patient develops
subcutaneous emphysema. The nurse should:
A. Increase insufflation pressure
B. Notify the surgeon immediately
C. Administer diuretics
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
,Rationale: Subcutaneous emphysema indicates potential CO2
insufflation complications; immediate surgeon notification is
required.
4. The primary purpose of using a surgical safety checklist is to:
A. Document staff attendance
B. Prevent perioperative errors
C. Standardize surgical technique
D. Maintain sterile field
Rationale: Surgical safety checklists are evidence-based tools to
reduce errors, including wrong-site surgery and retained items.
5. A circulating nurse observes that the sterile field has been
contaminated. The first action should be to:
A. Continue with surgery
B. Notify the scrub nurse and correct contamination immediately
C. Document after surgery
D. Ask the surgeon to continue
Rationale: Immediate intervention maintains aseptic technique and
patient safety.
6. Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing a
postoperative infection?
A. 25-year-old athlete
B. 40-year-old with hypertension
C. 68-year-old diabetic patient
D. 30-year-old smoker
,Rationale: Older age and diabetes impair immune function and
wound healing, increasing infection risk.
7. What is the primary function of a pneumatic tourniquet during
orthopedic surgery?
A. Reduce pain
B. Provide a bloodless surgical field
C. Prevent nerve injury
D. Limit infection
Rationale: A pneumatic tourniquet compresses blood vessels to
maintain a clear operative field.
8. When positioning a patient in lithotomy position, the nurse
must:
A. Flex hips beyond 180°
B. Ensure proper padding to prevent nerve injury
C. Keep knees fully extended
D. Elevate head higher than legs
Rationale: Proper padding and positioning prevent peroneal and
sciatic nerve injury.
9. Which of the following is considered a surgical site infection (SSI)
indicator?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachypnea
C. Purulent drainage from the incision
D. Increased urine output
, Rationale: Purulent drainage, redness, and swelling at the incision
site are hallmark signs of SSI.
10. The primary purpose of an antimicrobial-impregnated surgical
drape is to:
A. Maintain patient warmth
B. Reduce microbial contamination
C. Prevent skin breakdown
D. Provide structural support
Rationale: Antimicrobial drapes create a barrier to reduce bacteria
entering the surgical site.
11. Which of the following statements about surgical counts is
correct?
A. Only sponges are counted
B. All sharps, instruments, and sponges must be counted
C. Counting is optional if the surgeon is experienced
D. Only instruments are counted
Rationale: Comprehensive counts prevent retained surgical items and
enhance patient safety.
12. During a procedure, the scrub nurse notices the sterile glove is
torn. The immediate action is to:
A. Continue the procedure
B. Replace the glove immediately
C. Cover with sterile gauze
D. Notify the circulating nurse after surgery
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. The most important reason for performing a surgical hand scrub
before donning sterile gloves is to:
A. Remove visible dirt from hands
B. Reduce transient and resident microbial flora
C. Satisfy regulatory requirements
D. Prevent glove tearing
Rationale: Surgical hand scrubbing reduces both transient and
resident flora, significantly lowering the risk of surgical site infection.
2. Which of the following is a key component of the Universal
Protocol for preventing wrong-site surgery?
A. Sterile technique
B. Preoperative verification and site marking
C. Counting surgical instruments
D. Antibiotic prophylaxis
Rationale: The Universal Protocol mandates preoperative verification,
marking the surgical site, and performing a time-out before incision.
3. During a laparoscopic procedure, the patient develops
subcutaneous emphysema. The nurse should:
A. Increase insufflation pressure
B. Notify the surgeon immediately
C. Administer diuretics
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
,Rationale: Subcutaneous emphysema indicates potential CO2
insufflation complications; immediate surgeon notification is
required.
4. The primary purpose of using a surgical safety checklist is to:
A. Document staff attendance
B. Prevent perioperative errors
C. Standardize surgical technique
D. Maintain sterile field
Rationale: Surgical safety checklists are evidence-based tools to
reduce errors, including wrong-site surgery and retained items.
5. A circulating nurse observes that the sterile field has been
contaminated. The first action should be to:
A. Continue with surgery
B. Notify the scrub nurse and correct contamination immediately
C. Document after surgery
D. Ask the surgeon to continue
Rationale: Immediate intervention maintains aseptic technique and
patient safety.
6. Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing a
postoperative infection?
A. 25-year-old athlete
B. 40-year-old with hypertension
C. 68-year-old diabetic patient
D. 30-year-old smoker
,Rationale: Older age and diabetes impair immune function and
wound healing, increasing infection risk.
7. What is the primary function of a pneumatic tourniquet during
orthopedic surgery?
A. Reduce pain
B. Provide a bloodless surgical field
C. Prevent nerve injury
D. Limit infection
Rationale: A pneumatic tourniquet compresses blood vessels to
maintain a clear operative field.
8. When positioning a patient in lithotomy position, the nurse
must:
A. Flex hips beyond 180°
B. Ensure proper padding to prevent nerve injury
C. Keep knees fully extended
D. Elevate head higher than legs
Rationale: Proper padding and positioning prevent peroneal and
sciatic nerve injury.
9. Which of the following is considered a surgical site infection (SSI)
indicator?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachypnea
C. Purulent drainage from the incision
D. Increased urine output
, Rationale: Purulent drainage, redness, and swelling at the incision
site are hallmark signs of SSI.
10. The primary purpose of an antimicrobial-impregnated surgical
drape is to:
A. Maintain patient warmth
B. Reduce microbial contamination
C. Prevent skin breakdown
D. Provide structural support
Rationale: Antimicrobial drapes create a barrier to reduce bacteria
entering the surgical site.
11. Which of the following statements about surgical counts is
correct?
A. Only sponges are counted
B. All sharps, instruments, and sponges must be counted
C. Counting is optional if the surgeon is experienced
D. Only instruments are counted
Rationale: Comprehensive counts prevent retained surgical items and
enhance patient safety.
12. During a procedure, the scrub nurse notices the sterile glove is
torn. The immediate action is to:
A. Continue the procedure
B. Replace the glove immediately
C. Cover with sterile gauze
D. Notify the circulating nurse after surgery
