AORN Perioperative Patient Care 3

Question 1

Which of the following is the recommended method for verifying instrument sterility at the point of use?

Accepted Answer

Inspecting the chemical indicator inside the package

Answer

An internal chemical indicator changes color when sterilization parameters have been met, providing point-of-use verification of sterility.

Question 2

A scrub person inadvertently contaminates a glove during a procedure. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the circulator and perform a glove change using the closed technique

Answer

Any break in sterile technique requires immediate correction; the scrub person must change the contaminated glove using a closed-glove technique.

Question 3

When caring for a patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery, which risk is unique to the pneumoperitoneum?

Accepted Answer

CO2 gas embolism

Answer

CO2 used to create pneumoperitoneum can enter the bloodstream through injured vessels, causing potentially fatal gas embolism.

Question 4

Which assessment finding in the preoperative holding area requires the nurse to notify the surgeon before proceeding?

Accepted Answer

Patient reports taking aspirin daily and took it this morning

Answer

Aspirin taken the day of surgery increases bleeding risk, and the surgeon must decide whether to delay or proceed with appropriate precautions.

Question 5

During orthopedic surgery requiring a tourniquet, which complication should the perioperative nurse monitor for when the tourniquet is released?

Accepted Answer

Tourniquet pain and reperfusion syndrome

Answer

Tourniquet release causes ischemic metabolites to flood the systemic circulation, potentially causing hemodynamic instability and reperfusion injury.

(AORN) Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses Practice Test