AORN AORN Surgical Counts 2

Question 1

At which points during a procedure must counts be performed per AORN standards?

Accepted Answer

Before the procedure, at closure of each cavity, at skin closure, and when the team changes

Answer

AORN mandates counts at specific intervals — initial, before closure of each body cavity, at skin closure, and upon significant team member changes.

Question 2

What should the circulating nurse do when a sponge leaves the sterile field?

Accepted Answer

Place it in the designated sponge bag and count it off the field

Answer

Sponges removed from the sterile field should go immediately into a designated counting bag so they remain accounted for in the running tally.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a 'retained surgical item' (RSI)?

Accepted Answer

Any item unintentionally left inside a patient after surgery

Answer

An RSI is any item — sponge, instrument, or sharp — inadvertently left inside the patient's body after wound closure.

Question 4

When a relief circulating nurse takes over a case mid-procedure, what must happen?

Accepted Answer

A count must be performed during the handoff to establish a baseline for the incoming nurse

Answer

AORN standards require a count when a relief circulator assumes responsibility so the new nurse has a verified baseline.

Question 5

Why are radiopaque markers incorporated into surgical sponges?

Accepted Answer

To allow detection via X-ray if a sponge is inadvertently retained

Answer

Radiopaque markers make sponges visible on intraoperative or postoperative X-rays, serving as a safety backup when count discrepancies occur.

(AORN) Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses Practice Test