CNOR - Certification Surgical Asepsis and Sterility Questions and Answers

Question 1

A circulating nurse needs to pour a sterile irrigation solution into a basin on the back table. To adhere to the principles of aseptic technique, which action is correct?

Accepted Answer

Pour the entire contents of the solution into the basin at once to prevent contamination of the bottle's edge.

Answer

According to AORN recommended practices, once a sterile solution container is opened, its edge is considered contaminated. Therefore, the entire contents should be poured at once, and the container should be discarded. Placing the cap on the field is incorrect as its outside is non-sterile. Holding the bottle with the label toward the palm can prevent dripping onto and obscuring the label, but the primary principle is to pour the entire contents. A distance of 12 inches is excessive and increases the risk of splashing.

Question 2

After completing a surgical hand scrub, the scrub person is gowning. Which part of the sterile gown is considered sterile once it is donned?

Accepted Answer

The front of the gown from the chest to the level of the sterile field, and the sleeves from 2 inches above the elbow to the cuff.

Answer

AORN guidelines specify that the sterile area of a surgical gown includes the front from the chest line down to the level of the sterile field (or waist level). The sleeves are also considered sterile from 2 inches above the elbow down to the cuff, circumferentially. The neckline, shoulders, underarms, back, and sleeve cuffs are not considered sterile.

Question 3

During a procedure, a scrubbed team member who is double-gloved contaminates the outer glove by touching a non-sterile surface. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

The individual removes the outer contaminated glove and dons a new sterile glove over the inner glove.

Answer

The standard and most efficient practice when a single glove is contaminated is for the individual to remove the outer glove without contaminating the inner glove. A new sterile glove is then donned, a process often assisted by another sterile team member or performed using an open-gloving technique. This restores the sterile barrier without major disruption. Continuing with a single glove is not ideal, wiping is not sterilization, and a full re-scrub is unnecessary if only the glove was contaminated.

Question 4

Which of the following actions by a non-scrubbed (circulating) team member represents a break in sterile technique?

Accepted Answer

Reaching over the sterile back table to point to an instrument.

Answer

A fundamental principle of asepsis is that non-scrubbed personnel should never reach over a sterile field. This action can shed microorganisms from their body and attire onto the sterile surface, causing contamination. Non-scrubbed personnel should always face the sterile field when passing, maintain a safe distance, and transfer items securely without crossing the sterile barrier.

Question 5

Biological indicators (BIs) are essential for sterility assurance. For monitoring steam sterilization cycles, the BI contains spores from which highly heat-resistant microorganism?

Accepted Answer

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Answer

Geobacillus stearothermophilus is a thermophilic bacterium that produces highly heat-resistant spores, making it the industry standard biological indicator for validating the efficacy of steam sterilization processes. Bacillus atrophaeus is used for ethylene oxide (EtO) and dry heat sterilization.

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR - Certification Surgical Asepsis and Sterility Questions and Answers