AORN Aseptic Technique 4

Question 1

Which statement about environmental controls in the OR best supports aseptic technique?

Accepted Answer

Positive-pressure airflow in the OR directs air outward to prevent external contamination

Answer

Positive-pressure airflow pushes clean air from the corridor into the OR

Answer

Negative-pressure airflow prevents OR air from escaping to the corridor

Answer

Air pressure is irrelevant because HEPA filters eliminate all microorganisms

Question 2

What is the purpose of performing a surgical hand antisepsis (scrub) before donning sterile gloves?

Accepted Answer

To reduce microbial counts on hands so that glove perforation poses less risk

Answer

To eliminate all transient and resident flora from the hands permanently

Answer

To satisfy regulatory requirements without direct patient safety benefit

Answer

To replace the need for sterile gloves during minor procedures

Question 3

Which traffic pattern practice in the OR best supports aseptic technique during surgery?

Accepted Answer

Minimizing door openings to reduce airborne contamination

Answer

Keeping OR doors open to allow easy access for team members

Answer

Allowing unrestricted visitor access to observe surgical technique

Answer

Opening doors frequently to flush contaminated air from the room

Question 4

A surgeon accidentally contaminates their glove by touching their face shield. What is the priority action?

Accepted Answer

Change gloves immediately before re-entering the sterile field

Answer

Wipe the glove with a sterile gauze and continue operating

Answer

Apply additional sterile glove over the contaminated one and continue

Answer

Document the event and change gloves at the next natural break

Question 5

When preparing for a case, the scrub nurse notes the sterilization indicator tape on a wrapped set has not changed color correctly. What should be done?

Accepted Answer

Return the set for re-sterilization and obtain a new sterile set

Answer

Use the set if the external packaging appears intact

Answer

Ask the charge nurse to verify and approve use if the indicator is close to acceptable

Answer

Open the set and use a chemical indicator strip inside for final verification

Question 6

Which action by the circulating nurse correctly supports the sterile field during surgery?

Accepted Answer

Open sterile supplies using proper technique and present them to the scrub

Answer

Reach over the sterile drape to adjust the surgical light position

Answer

Wipe down the sterile back table with a hospital-grade disinfectant wipe

Answer

Adjust sterile drapes that have shifted during patient positioning

Question 7

Which criterion determines if a sterile package is safe to use during a case?

Accepted Answer

The sterilization date, integrity of packaging, and storage conditions are all acceptable

Answer

The package was sterilized within the past 30 days regardless of storage conditions

Answer

The package passes a visual check for holes but has no required expiration date

Answer

The surgeon approves use based on clinical urgency, overriding standard checks