CNOR Intraoperative Care and Safety 3

Question 1

Which type of fire triangle element is most commonly represented by surgical drapes in the OR?

Accepted Answer

Fuel

Answer

Surgical drapes are a common fuel source in OR fires; they can ignite when combined with an ignition source (ESU) and an oxidizer (oxygen-enriched environment).

Question 2

During closure, the instrument count is correct but the needle count is off by one. What should the perioperative nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Notify the surgeon, search the field and patient, and obtain an intraoperative X-ray if not found

Answer

A missing needle requires notifying the surgeon, thorough search of the sterile field and wound, and intraoperative imaging if unresolved before closure.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a time-out before surgical incision?

Accepted Answer

To verify correct patient, site, side, procedure, and position

Answer

The surgical time-out is a standardized safety pause to confirm patient identity, procedure, and site/side before the first incision to prevent wrong-site surgery.

Question 4

A patient is in the Trendelenburg position for 3 hours. Which postoperative complication related to positioning is the nurse most concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Intraocular pressure increase leading to vision changes

Answer

Prolonged Trendelenburg increases intraocular pressure, which can cause postoperative vision loss especially in patients with pre-existing glaucoma.

Question 5

Which action by the scrub technician demonstrates correct technique when passing a scalpel?

Accepted Answer

Placing it blade-up in a neutral zone for the surgeon to retrieve

Answer

Using a neutral zone (hands-free technique) to pass sharps is the safest method, reducing sharps injury risk to both scrub person and surgeon.

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR Intraoperative Care and Safety 3