CNOR Intraoperative Care and Safety 5

Question 1

When a flash (immediate-use) sterilization cycle is used for a dropped instrument, what documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

The patient's name, implant status, reason for flash sterilization, and cycle parameters must be documented

Answer

AORN and AAMI guidelines require complete documentation including patient identification, reason, implant/non-implant status, and cycle parameters for every flash sterilization cycle.

Question 2

A patient's blood pressure drops suddenly during a procedure using spinal anesthesia. Which positioning intervention can help reverse this hypotension?

Accepted Answer

Place the patient in Trendelenburg position

Answer

Trendelenburg (head-down) positioning increases venous return to the heart, which can temporarily raise blood pressure in spinal-anesthesia-induced hypotension.

Question 3

Which action best prevents retained foreign bodies during procedures in deep cavities or with limited visualization?

Accepted Answer

Using only radiopaque sponges and instruments

Answer

Using exclusively radiopaque items ensures that if a count discrepancy occurs, imaging can locate any retained body with high reliability.

Question 4

Which grounding pad placement site is contraindicated for a monopolar ESU dispersive electrode?

Accepted Answer

Over a bony prominence or scar tissue

Answer

Bony prominences and scar tissue have poor vascularity and uneven contact, increasing current density and the risk of burns at the dispersive electrode site.

Question 5

A scrub person drops a sponge off the sterile field. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Isolate it from the sterile field and inform the circulator to account for it in the count

Answer

The dropped sponge must be isolated from the sterile field and the circulator must immediately account for it to maintain an accurate running count.

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test

CNOR Intraoperative Care and Safety 5