CNOR - Certification Preoperative Patient Assessment Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 68-year-old male is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty.
His medical history includes well-controlled hypertension and type 2 diabetes managed with oral medication.
He quit smoking 10 years ago and has no other systemic diseases.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System, which classification would be most appropriate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

ASA II

Answer

ASA I

Answer

ASA III

Answer

ASA IV

Question 2

During the preoperative assessment for a patient scheduled for a cholecystectomy, the perioperative nurse discovers the patient has been taking a daily herbal supplement containing garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba. Which of the following is the most critical action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Inform the anesthesia care provider and surgeon immediately.

Answer

Document the use of the supplement in the patient's chart.

Answer

Instruct the patient to double the dose on the morning of surgery.

Answer

Advise the patient to discontinue the supplement a week after surgery.

Question 3

Which of the following patient statements during a preoperative assessment would indicate the highest risk for a potential latex allergy?

Accepted Answer

"My lips swell whenever I eat bananas or avocados."

Answer

"I get a rash from the adhesive on bandages."

Answer

"I have a family history of seasonal allergies."

Answer

"I am allergic to penicillin."

Question 4

A patient arrives in the emergency department unconscious following a severe motor vehicle accident and requires immediate emergency surgery to control internal bleeding. The patient is unidentified, and no family is present. Regarding informed consent for the surgery, what is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

The surgeon can proceed with the surgery under the principle of implied consent in an emergency.

Answer

The surgery must be delayed until a family member can be located to provide consent.

Answer

A court order must be obtained before the surgery can be performed.

Answer

Two nurses can sign the consent form on behalf of the patient.

Question 5

The perioperative nurse is reviewing the preoperative laboratory results for a 55-year-old female scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy. The nurse notes a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse's primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Risk of cardiac dysrhythmias under anesthesia.

Answer

Increased risk of postoperative infection.

Answer

Potential for intraoperative hypoglycemia.

Answer

Impaired wound healing.

Question 6

According to The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol, what is the final step performed in the operating room, just before the initial incision, to confirm the correct patient, procedure, and site?

Accepted Answer

Time-out

Answer

Preoperative verification

Answer

Surgical site marking

Answer

Patient identification