CNOR(Certified Perioperative Nurse)
certification Exam 1 With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. A surgical patient arrives for an elective procedure. Before
entering the OR you verify the patient’s identity, the procedure,
consent, and side/site marking. Which of the following best
describes this process?
A. Time-out
B. Surgical count
C. Universal Protocol
D. Instrument verification
Answer: C. Universal Protocol
Rationale: The Universal Protocol is the process by which
correct patient identity, correct procedure, correct site
(including marking) and consent are confirmed prior to
beginning the surgical procedure—an important safety
standard for perioperative nursing.
2. During intraoperative positioning of a patient in prone position,
you ensure that the eyes are free of pressure and that the
airway remains secure. The rationale is to prevent:
A. Hypothermia
, B. Nerve injury
C. Pressure injury to eyes or airway obstruction
D. Instrument contamination
Answer: C. Pressure injury to eyes or airway obstruction
Rationale: Proper positioning ensures that pressure is not
applied to the eyes (which could cause vision loss) and that the
airway remains patent even in complex positions.
3. A nurse is preparing the surgical site and inadvertently
contaminates the sterile field by touching it with a non-sterile
glove. What is the correct next step?
A. Ignore and continue the procedure
B. Remove and replace the contaminated item and
re-establish the sterile field
C. Ask the surgeon to finish quickly
D. Cover the area with a sterile drape and proceed
Answer: B. Remove and replace the contaminated item and
re-establish the sterile field
Rationale: Maintaining asepsis is critical; any contamination
must be addressed immediately by removing contaminated
items and re-establishing the sterile field to protect patient
safety.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the circulating
nurse in the intraoperative team?
A. Operating the microscope
B. Monitoring the environment, patient safety, and
coordinating the surgical team
C. Passing instruments to the surgeon
D. Performing the surgical count alone
Answer: B. Monitoring the environment, patient safety, and
coordinating the surgical team
, Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for overseeing
patient safety, environment hazards, coordinating supplies, and
acting as a patient advocate throughout the operation.
5. Which classification of wound is described as a fresh, clean
surgical wound without entry into the respiratory,
gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts?
A. Clean contaminated
B. Contaminated
C. Sterile
D. Clean
Answer: D. Clean
Rationale: According to surgical wound classifications, “clean”
wounds are those where no entry into a contaminated or
colonized area occurred and are at lowest risk of infection.
6. During a laparoscopic case, the OR table is inadvertently
disconnected from the power source and the patient begins to
shift. The best immediate nursing action is to:
A. Raise a side rail only
B. Notify the surgeon after the case
C. Stabilize the patient, call for assistance, and ensure secure
positioning
D. Finish the procedure quickly
Answer: C. Stabilize the patient, call for assistance, and ensure
secure positioning
Rationale: Patient safety includes vigilant monitoring of
positioning and immediate intervention when mechanical
failures occur to avoid injury or falls.
7. What is the minimal number of patient identifiers
recommended prior to surgery according to best practice?
, A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B. Two
Rationale: It is best practice to use at least two patient
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) prior to surgery to
ensure correct patient and correct procedure.
8. A patient has a documented “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) order
but is undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. The best
perioperative nurse action is to:
A. Ignore the DNR
B. Cancel the surgery
C. Review with the surgical and anesthesia team how the DNR
applies in the perioperative context and document accordingly
D. Automatically suspend the DNR
Answer: C. Review with the surgical and anesthesia team how
the DNR applies in the perioperative context and document
accordingly
Rationale: DNR orders must be addressed in the perioperative
setting because anesthesia and surgery may alter the context;
the team must clarify how the DNR applies and document the
decision.
9. The role of surgical counts (instruments, sponges, sharps) is
primarily to:
A. Expedite case turnover
B. Prevent retained surgical items and enhance patient safety
C. Reduce disposal costs
D. Serve as documentation only
Answer: B. Prevent retained surgical items and enhance
certification Exam 1 With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. A surgical patient arrives for an elective procedure. Before
entering the OR you verify the patient’s identity, the procedure,
consent, and side/site marking. Which of the following best
describes this process?
A. Time-out
B. Surgical count
C. Universal Protocol
D. Instrument verification
Answer: C. Universal Protocol
Rationale: The Universal Protocol is the process by which
correct patient identity, correct procedure, correct site
(including marking) and consent are confirmed prior to
beginning the surgical procedure—an important safety
standard for perioperative nursing.
2. During intraoperative positioning of a patient in prone position,
you ensure that the eyes are free of pressure and that the
airway remains secure. The rationale is to prevent:
A. Hypothermia
, B. Nerve injury
C. Pressure injury to eyes or airway obstruction
D. Instrument contamination
Answer: C. Pressure injury to eyes or airway obstruction
Rationale: Proper positioning ensures that pressure is not
applied to the eyes (which could cause vision loss) and that the
airway remains patent even in complex positions.
3. A nurse is preparing the surgical site and inadvertently
contaminates the sterile field by touching it with a non-sterile
glove. What is the correct next step?
A. Ignore and continue the procedure
B. Remove and replace the contaminated item and
re-establish the sterile field
C. Ask the surgeon to finish quickly
D. Cover the area with a sterile drape and proceed
Answer: B. Remove and replace the contaminated item and
re-establish the sterile field
Rationale: Maintaining asepsis is critical; any contamination
must be addressed immediately by removing contaminated
items and re-establishing the sterile field to protect patient
safety.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the circulating
nurse in the intraoperative team?
A. Operating the microscope
B. Monitoring the environment, patient safety, and
coordinating the surgical team
C. Passing instruments to the surgeon
D. Performing the surgical count alone
Answer: B. Monitoring the environment, patient safety, and
coordinating the surgical team
, Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for overseeing
patient safety, environment hazards, coordinating supplies, and
acting as a patient advocate throughout the operation.
5. Which classification of wound is described as a fresh, clean
surgical wound without entry into the respiratory,
gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts?
A. Clean contaminated
B. Contaminated
C. Sterile
D. Clean
Answer: D. Clean
Rationale: According to surgical wound classifications, “clean”
wounds are those where no entry into a contaminated or
colonized area occurred and are at lowest risk of infection.
6. During a laparoscopic case, the OR table is inadvertently
disconnected from the power source and the patient begins to
shift. The best immediate nursing action is to:
A. Raise a side rail only
B. Notify the surgeon after the case
C. Stabilize the patient, call for assistance, and ensure secure
positioning
D. Finish the procedure quickly
Answer: C. Stabilize the patient, call for assistance, and ensure
secure positioning
Rationale: Patient safety includes vigilant monitoring of
positioning and immediate intervention when mechanical
failures occur to avoid injury or falls.
7. What is the minimal number of patient identifiers
recommended prior to surgery according to best practice?
, A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B. Two
Rationale: It is best practice to use at least two patient
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) prior to surgery to
ensure correct patient and correct procedure.
8. A patient has a documented “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) order
but is undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. The best
perioperative nurse action is to:
A. Ignore the DNR
B. Cancel the surgery
C. Review with the surgical and anesthesia team how the DNR
applies in the perioperative context and document accordingly
D. Automatically suspend the DNR
Answer: C. Review with the surgical and anesthesia team how
the DNR applies in the perioperative context and document
accordingly
Rationale: DNR orders must be addressed in the perioperative
setting because anesthesia and surgery may alter the context;
the team must clarify how the DNR applies and document the
decision.
9. The role of surgical counts (instruments, sponges, sharps) is
primarily to:
A. Expedite case turnover
B. Prevent retained surgical items and enhance patient safety
C. Reduce disposal costs
D. Serve as documentation only
Answer: B. Prevent retained surgical items and enhance
