AORN Instrument Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of instrument stringers or holders during a surgical procedure?
- To keep instruments sterile and organized on the back table
- To count instruments at the end of the case
- To hold instruments for the surgeon during the procedure (Correct answer)
- To transport instruments from the sterile processing department
Correct answer: To hold instruments for the surgeon during the procedure
Instrument stringers or holders are used to pass instruments to the surgeon efficiently during the procedure.
Question 2: Which technique should a scrub person use when passing a scalpel to a surgeon to prevent injury?
- Hand the scalpel blade-first toward the surgeon
- Use a neutral zone or no-touch technique (Correct answer)
- Place the scalpel directly into the surgeon's gloved hand blade-up
- Verbally announce the transfer and hand directly blade-down
Correct answer: Use a neutral zone or no-touch technique
The neutral zone (no-touch) technique eliminates hand-to-hand transfer of sharp instruments, reducing needlestick injuries.
Question 3: What action should the scrub technician take when a surgeon requests a Metzenbaum scissors during dissection?
- Pass any available scissors from the back table
- Pass the instrument firmly into the surgeon's palm in the proper position for use (Correct answer)
- Place the scissors on the sterile drape near the surgical site
- Ask the circulator to retrieve the correct scissors
Correct answer: Pass the instrument firmly into the surgeon's palm in the proper position for use
Instruments should be placed firmly into the surgeon's palm, positioned for immediate use, to maintain efficiency and safety.
Question 4: When should a scrub person perform an initial instrument count?
- Immediately after the surgeon makes the first incision
- Before the patient enters the operating room
- Before the procedure begins, prior to incision (Correct answer)
- After the surgical site is draped
Correct answer: Before the procedure begins, prior to incision
The initial instrument count must be performed before the procedure begins to establish an accurate baseline count.
Question 5: What is the correct method for decontaminating instruments with lumens (e.g., suction tips) at the point of use?
- Wipe the exterior only with a damp sponge
- Flush the lumen with sterile water to remove gross soil (Correct answer)
- Soak in a basin of saline solution until processing
- Cap the lumen end and set aside for sterile processing
Correct answer: Flush the lumen with sterile water to remove gross soil
Flushing lumens with sterile water at the point of use removes gross soil and prevents biofilm formation before formal decontamination.
Question 6: Which of the following is a key principle when handling delicate ophthalmic instruments?
- Store tips down in a container to keep them ready
- Handle with ring forceps to avoid direct contact
- Protect instrument tips from contact with other metal surfaces (Correct answer)
- Soak in saline solution between passes
Correct answer: Protect instrument tips from contact with other metal surfaces
Delicate ophthalmic instrument tips are easily damaged by contact with other metal surfaces, so tip protectors and careful handling are essential.
Question 7: What does the term 'functional end' of a surgical instrument refer to?
- The ratchet or locking mechanism
- The ring handles used to hold the instrument
- The working tip that contacts tissue (e.g., jaw, blade, or cup) (Correct answer)
- The box lock connecting the two shanks
Correct answer: The working tip that contacts tissue (e.g., jaw, blade, or cup)
The functional end is the working tip of the instrument—jaws, blades, or cups—that directly contacts tissue and must be inspected for damage.
AORN Instrument Handling 2
What is the primary purpose of instrument stringers or holders during a surgical procedure?