AORN AORN Medication Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct method for transferring a medication from a vial to the sterile field?
- The circulator holds the vial while the scrub person withdraws the medication using sterile technique, or the circulator pours it into a sterile container (Correct answer)
- The scrub person reaches over the sterile field to take the vial
- The surgeon draws the medication directly from the unsterile vial
- The circulator places the vial directly on the sterile back table
Correct answer: The circulator holds the vial while the scrub person withdraws the medication using sterile technique, or the circulator pours it into a sterile container
Medications are transferred to the sterile field either by the circulator presenting the vial for the scrub to withdraw from, or by pouring into a sterile basin, maintaining sterility throughout.
Question 2: How should all medications and solutions on the sterile back table be labeled?
- Each container must be labeled with the drug name, concentration, and amount immediately upon transfer to the field (Correct answer)
- Labels are only required for high-alert medications
- Labels are applied only when more than one medication is on the field
- Verbal communication to the surgeon is sufficient labeling
Correct answer: Each container must be labeled with the drug name, concentration, and amount immediately upon transfer to the field
AORN and The Joint Commission require that every medication and solution on the sterile field be labeled immediately — even if only one medication is present — to prevent mix-ups.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a 'high-alert medication' in the perioperative setting?
- Heparin (Correct answer)
- Saline irrigation
- Povidone-iodine prep solution
- Sterile water for injection
Correct answer: Heparin
Heparin is classified as a high-alert medication because errors in its administration can cause catastrophic anticoagulation events; it requires independent double-checks.
Question 4: What must the scrub person do before handing a medication syringe to the surgeon?
- Verbally state the drug name and concentration to the surgeon and confirm acknowledgment (Correct answer)
- Hand it over without verbal communication to save time
- Label the syringe after the surgeon uses it
- Ask the anesthesia provider to verify the drug
Correct answer: Verbally state the drug name and concentration to the surgeon and confirm acknowledgment
A verbal read-back exchange between the scrub person and surgeon before medication delivery is a required safety check that reduces wrong-drug administration.
Question 5: When should medications on the sterile field be discarded?
- At the end of the procedure or when the sterile field is broken, whichever comes first (Correct answer)
- Only when they expire during the case
- Only if visibly contaminated
- At the end of the scheduled OR day
Correct answer: At the end of the procedure or when the sterile field is broken, whichever comes first
Any medication remaining on the sterile field must be discarded when the field is broken or the procedure ends to prevent use of potentially contaminated or degraded drugs.
Question 6: What information must be confirmed using a two-identifier process before administering a perioperative medication?
- Patient name and date of birth (or medical record number) (Correct answer)
- Patient name and room number
- Surgeon name and patient diagnosis
- Procedure type and allergies only
Correct answer: Patient name and date of birth (or medical record number)
Two independent patient identifiers (name plus DOB or MRN) must be verified before administering any medication to ensure the right patient receives the drug.
AORN AORN Medication Safety 1
What is the correct method for transferring a medication from a vial to the sterile field?