AORN Surgical Positioning 3

Question 1

During a long procedure in the supine position, which area is MOST prone to pressure injury development?

Accepted Answer

Sacrum and occiput

Answer

The sacrum and occiput are the highest-pressure bony prominences in the supine patient and develop injuries most rapidly.

Question 2

AORN guidelines recommend that the arm board angle in supine positioning should not exceed how many degrees of abduction?

Accepted Answer

90 degrees

Answer

Arm abduction beyond 90 degrees stretches the brachial plexus and risks traction injury; AORN recommends keeping boards at or below 90 degrees.

Question 3

Which intraoperative positioning change requires re-evaluation and documentation of all pressure points?

Accepted Answer

Any repositioning of the patient during the procedure

Answer

AORN standards require documentation of pressure point reassessment and padding any time the patient's position is changed intraoperatively.

Question 4

A patient with severe kyphosis is being positioned supine. The BEST initial accommodation is to:

Accepted Answer

Assess spine curvature pre-operatively and use custom padding to maintain anatomical alignment

Answer

Pre-operative assessment of the curvature guides individualized padding that maintains the patient's natural spinal alignment without force.

Question 5

In the Trendelenburg position, pulmonary compliance decreases primarily because:

Accepted Answer

The diaphragm is displaced cephalad by abdominal contents

Answer

Head-down tilt shifts abdominal viscera toward the diaphragm, restricting its downward movement and reducing lung compliance and tidal volume.

(AORN) Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses Practice Test