CNOR - Certification Managing Emergency Situations Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a laparoscopic procedure, the anesthesia provider announces a sudden, unexplained drop in end-tidal CO2, accompanied by hypotension and tachycardia.
A venous air embolism is suspected.
What is the perioperative nurse's IMMEDIATE priority action?

Accepted Answer

Assist in placing the patient in the left lateral Trendelenburg position.

Answer

Administer 100% oxygen as directed.

Answer

Prepare a central line kit for aspiration of air.

Answer

Notify the blood bank of a potential emergency.

Question 2

A patient under general anesthesia for a major abdominal surgery begins to exhibit muscle rigidity, a rapid rise in end-tidal CO2, and sinus tachycardia. The surgical team suspects malignant hyperthermia (MH). Which of the following is the first and most critical intervention?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue all volatile anesthetic agents and succinylcholine.

Answer

Administer intravenous dantrolene sodium.

Answer

Begin active cooling with ice packs and chilled saline.

Answer

Draw an arterial blood gas to assess for metabolic acidosis.

Question 3

An intraoperative cardiac arrest (Code Blue) is called. As the circulating nurse, which of the following responsibilities is a primary part of your role in the initial response?

Accepted Answer

Activating the emergency response system and managing personnel and equipment.

Answer

Leading the resuscitation efforts and calling out orders.

Answer

Maintaining the sterility of the surgical field.

Answer

Performing chest compressions.

Question 4

A patient receiving a prophylactic antibiotic at the start of a procedure suddenly develops hypotension, bronchospasm, and widespread urticaria. The perioperative team diagnoses anaphylaxis. Which medication should the nurse anticipate and prepare for immediate administration?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous epinephrine.

Answer

Intravenous diphenhydramine.

Answer

Intravenous hydrocortisone.

Answer

Inhaled albuterol.

Question 5

During a total hip arthroplasty, the OR experiences a complete power failure. The emergency generator fails to activate, resulting in a total loss of light and power to all equipment. Which of the following actions is the perioperative nurse's HIGHEST priority?

Accepted Answer

Illuminate the surgical field and immediate patient area with emergency flashlights.

Answer

Locate the manual crank for the operating room bed.

Answer

Notify the hospital's engineering department of the failure.

Answer

Begin manually ventilating the patient with an Ambu bag.

Question 6

A trauma patient in the operating room is experiencing massive hemorrhage. The surgeon calls for the activation of the Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP). The perioperative nurse's role in activating the MTP includes which critical communication step?

Accepted Answer

Clearly stating "Activate the Massive Transfusion Protocol" to the blood bank and specifying the OR location.

Answer

Ordering 10 units of O-negative packed red blood cells STAT.

Answer

Requesting a hematology consult to guide component therapy.

Answer

Performing a point-of-care hemoglobin test before calling the blood bank.