CNOR - Certification Intraoperative Care and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

During the final count for a laparotomy, the scrub person and circulating nurse identify a missing surgical sponge.
After a thorough search of the sterile field, trash, and linen hampers is unsuccessful, what is the MOST appropriate next action?

Accepted Answer

Inform the surgical team and obtain an intraoperative radiograph.

Answer

Document the count as incorrect and send the patient to recovery.

Answer

Close the surgical incision and obtain a postoperative radiograph.

Answer

Disassemble and search all sterile instrument trays again.

Question 2

Which of the following is the primary strategy for preventing an operating room fire when an electrosurgical unit (ESU) is in use?

Accepted Answer

Allowing all alcohol-based prep solutions to fully dry.

Answer

Using only non-flammable anesthetic gases.

Answer

Ensuring the surgical site is completely dry before activation.

Answer

Keeping the ESU power setting below 30 watts.

Question 3

A patient is placed in the lithotomy position for a gynecological procedure. To minimize the risk of nerve injury, the perioperative nurse should ensure which of the following precautions is taken?

Accepted Answer

The legs are raised and lowered slowly and simultaneously.

Answer

The patient's hands are tucked tightly at their sides.

Answer

The legs are abducted as far as possible for maximum exposure.

Answer

The stirrups are padded only at the point of contact with the foot.

Question 4

Proper handling of a surgical specimen is critical for accurate diagnosis. Which of the following actions by the circulating nurse is essential for all specimens?

Accepted Answer

Confirming the specimen name and source aloud with the surgeon.

Answer

Placing the specimen in formalin solution immediately upon receipt.

Answer

Sending the specimen to pathology with a verbal report only.

Answer

Handling the specimen with bare hands to maintain tactile sense.

Question 5

During the universal protocol's 'Time Out' immediately before skin incision, the entire surgical team is expected to pause and actively verify key information. What is the primary responsibility of the circulating nurse during this process?

Accepted Answer

To initiate and lead the Time Out, ensuring all members actively participate.

Answer

To monitor the patient's vital signs and document them.

Answer

To ensure the surgeon has the correct preference card.

Answer

To prepare the surgical dressings for the end of the case.

Question 6

A patient who received a large volume of local anesthetic for a regional block suddenly becomes agitated and reports a metallic taste and circumoral numbness. The perioperative nurse should be prepared for which potential medical emergency?

Accepted Answer

Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST).

Answer

Anaphylactic shock.

Answer

Malignant hyperthermia.

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke.