CNOR CNOR - Certification Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which power tool requires nitrogen or compressed air as its energy source?
- Harmonic scalpel
- Pneumatic drill or saw (Correct answer)
- Bipolar electrosurgical forceps
- Ultrasonic cleaner
Correct answer: Pneumatic drill or saw
Pneumatic-powered surgical tools such as drills and saws use compressed nitrogen or air to drive their cutting mechanisms.
Question 2: The harmonic scalpel differs from conventional electrosurgery because it:
- Uses electrical current at higher voltage
- Uses ultrasonic vibration to cut and coagulate simultaneously with minimal thermal spread (Correct answer)
- Requires a grounding pad on the patient
- Is only used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Correct answer: Uses ultrasonic vibration to cut and coagulate simultaneously with minimal thermal spread
The harmonic scalpel converts electrical energy into ultrasonic mechanical vibration, producing less lateral thermal damage than monopolar ESU.
Question 3: Which retractor type is self-retaining and does not require a team member to hold it?
- Army-Navy retractor
- Deaver retractor
- Balfour retractor (Correct answer)
- Richardson retractor
Correct answer: Balfour retractor
The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining abdominal retractor that locks in place, freeing team members for other tasks.
Question 4: When is the final instrument, sponge, and sharp count performed?
- At the beginning of wound closure and before the patient leaves the OR (Correct answer)
- Only after skin closure is complete
- Before the first incision only
- When the anesthesiologist requests it
Correct answer: At the beginning of wound closure and before the patient leaves the OR
Final counts are performed before wound closure begins and verified again before the patient leaves the OR to detect any discrepancy.
Question 5: Which instrument is used to approximate wound edges during fascial closure?
- Metzenbaum scissors
- Towel clip
- Kocher or Allis clamp used to grasp fascia while placing sutures (Correct answer)
- Needle holder only without tissue graspers
Correct answer: Kocher or Allis clamp used to grasp fascia while placing sutures
Kocher or Allis clamps are used to grasp and approximate fascial edges while the surgeon places closure sutures.
Question 6: A laser in the operating room requires all team members present to:
- Wear standard surgical masks only
- Wear appropriate optical density eyewear specific to the laser wavelength in use (Correct answer)
- Leave the room during activation
- Use anti-static shoe covers
Correct answer: Wear appropriate optical density eyewear specific to the laser wavelength in use
Each laser wavelength requires eyewear with the correct optical density rating to protect team members from retinal or corneal injury.
CNOR CNOR - Certification Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 2
Which power tool requires nitrogen or compressed air as its energy source?