CNOR Nursing MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which electrosurgical unit (ESU) mode uses alternating current to simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue?
- Pure cut mode
- Blend mode (Correct answer)
- Fulguration mode
- Desiccation mode
Correct answer: Blend mode
Blend mode combines cutting and coagulation by interrupting the current cycle, producing both a cutting effect and hemostasis simultaneously.
Question 2: When preparing a patient for a total hip arthroplasty in the lateral position, which padding is ESSENTIAL to prevent a common positioning injury?
- Heel pads for the dependent leg
- Axillary roll placed below the axilla (Correct answer)
- Padded knee immobilizer for the upper leg
- Foam headrest for cervical alignment
Correct answer: Axillary roll placed below the axilla
An axillary roll placed just below (not in) the axilla protects the brachial plexus and neurovascular structures of the dependent arm.
Question 3: The CNOR candidate should know that flash (IUSS) sterilization is indicated ONLY when?
- Sterilizing implantable devices in an emergency
- A sterile item is dropped and no replacement is available (Correct answer)
- Convenience for routine instrument turnover
- Processing items too large for standard sterilizers
Correct answer: A sterile item is dropped and no replacement is available
Immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) is appropriate only when a needed item is contaminated and no replacement is available, not for implants or routine use.
Question 4: A surgeon requests the Trendelenburg position for a pelvic laparoscopy. Which physiological effect should the perioperative nurse anticipate?
- Decreased venous return to the heart
- Increased functional residual capacity
- Cephalad shift of the diaphragm (Correct answer)
- Reduced intracranial pressure
Correct answer: Cephalad shift of the diaphragm
Trendelenburg causes abdominal viscera and the diaphragm to shift cephalad, reducing lung compliance and functional residual capacity.
Question 5: Which Spaulding classification applies to a rigid sigmoidoscope that contacts intact mucous membranes but does not penetrate sterile tissue?
- Critical — requires sterilization
- Semi-critical — requires high-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Non-critical — requires low-level disinfection
- Non-critical — requires intermediate-level disinfection
Correct answer: Semi-critical — requires high-level disinfection
Semi-critical items contact intact mucous membranes and require high-level disinfection as a minimum standard of reprocessing.
Question 6: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon reports difficulty visualizing the operative field. The circulating nurse notes the CO2 insufflation pressure is 25 mmHg. What is the standard maximum safe intraabdominal pressure?
- 10 mmHg
- 15 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 20 mmHg
- 25 mmHg
Correct answer: 15 mmHg
The standard safe intraabdominal insufflation pressure for laparoscopy is 15 mmHg; higher pressures increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory compromise.
Question 7: Which action by the scrub person demonstrates CORRECT maintenance of sterile technique during a procedure?
- Reaching over the unsterile back table to retrieve fallen instruments
- Keeping hands at or above waist level at all times (Correct answer)
- Passing sharps directly hand-to-hand to expedite the procedure
- Turning away from the sterile field briefly when the surgeon requests a non-sterile item
Correct answer: Keeping hands at or above waist level at all times
Scrubbed personnel must keep hands at or above waist level because anything below waist level is considered non-sterile.
CNOR Nursing MCQ 3
Which electrosurgical unit (ESU) mode uses alternating current to simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue?