CNOR CNOR - Certification Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instrument classification describes tools used to cut or incise tissue?
- Grasping instruments
- Cutting instruments (Correct answer)
- Retracting instruments
- Clamping instruments
Correct answer: Cutting instruments
Cutting instruments such as scalpels, scissors, and osteotomes are specifically designed to incise or excise tissue.
Question 2: A Kocher clamp is primarily used for which purpose in the OR?
- Retracting soft tissue
- Grasping heavy or tough tissue such as fascia (Correct answer)
- Irrigating the surgical field
- Measuring wound depth
Correct answer: Grasping heavy or tough tissue such as fascia
Kocher clamps have interlocking teeth that allow them to grasp dense or tough tissue like fascia securely.
Question 3: What does the term 'counts' refer to in perioperative nursing practice?
- Recording vital signs before incision
- Accounting for all surgical items to prevent retained foreign objects (Correct answer)
- Counting the number of instrument sets used
- Tallying sponge orders from central supply
Correct answer: Accounting for all surgical items to prevent retained foreign objects
Surgical counts involve accounting for all sponges, sharps, and instruments to prevent unintentional retention in the patient.
Question 4: The electrosurgical unit (ESU) dispersive electrode should be placed:
- Over a bony prominence closest to the operative site
- On a well-vascularized muscle mass closest to but not over the operative site (Correct answer)
- Over a metal implant for best conduction
- On the patient's chest regardless of the operative site
Correct answer: On a well-vascularized muscle mass closest to but not over the operative site
The dispersive electrode must be placed on a well-vascularized muscle mass near the operative site to ensure adequate current dispersion and prevent burns.
Question 5: Which type of endoscope allows visualization of joint spaces during arthroscopic procedures?
- Laparoscope
- Arthroscope (Correct answer)
- Bronchoscope
- Cystoscope
Correct answer: Arthroscope
An arthroscope is a rigid endoscope specifically designed to visualize and access joint spaces such as the knee or shoulder.
Question 6: Before passing a sharp instrument on the sterile field, the scrub person should:
- Hand it directly handle-first to the surgeon rapidly
- Use a neutral/hands-free technique or announce 'sharp' before transfer (Correct answer)
- Place it on the back table until asked
- Recap any needles to protect the surgical team
Correct answer: Use a neutral/hands-free technique or announce 'sharp' before transfer
The neutral/hands-free zone technique or verbal announcement prevents sharps injuries during instrument transfer.
CNOR CNOR - Certification Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment 1
Which instrument classification describes tools used to cut or incise tissue?