CNOR Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization is responsible for the CNOR certification examination?
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) (Correct answer)
- Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Correct answer: Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI)
The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) administers and oversees the CNOR certification examination for perioperative nurses.
Question 2: The term 'asepsis' in the perioperative setting refers to:
- Elimination of all microorganisms from a surface
- Absence of pathogenic microorganisms to prevent infection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization of all surgical instruments
- Use of antibiotics prophylactically before surgery
Correct answer: Absence of pathogenic microorganisms to prevent infection
Asepsis refers to the absence of pathogenic microorganisms and the practices used to prevent infection during surgical procedures.
Question 3: Which classification of surgical wound has the HIGHEST risk of postoperative infection?
- Class I - Clean
- Class II - Clean-contaminated
- Class III - Contaminated
- Class IV - Dirty/Infected (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Class IV - Dirty/Infected
Class IV (dirty/infected) wounds involve existing infection or perforated viscera and carry the highest postoperative infection risk.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the surgical safety checklist, such as the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist?
- To document all instruments used during surgery
- To reduce surgical complications and mortality through structured team communication (Correct answer)
- To track OR supply inventory
- To satisfy Joint Commission accreditation requirements
Correct answer: To reduce surgical complications and mortality through structured team communication
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was designed to reduce surgical complications and deaths by ensuring critical safety steps and communication among the surgical team.
Question 5: During the 'Sign In' phase of the surgical timeout, which action is verified?
- Surgical site has been marked (Correct answer)
- Sponge and instrument counts are correct
- Specimen labeling is confirmed
- Postoperative orders are written
Correct answer: Surgical site has been marked
During the Sign In phase (before anesthesia induction), the team confirms the surgical site has been marked when applicable.
Question 6: What is the minimum number of identifiers required to correctly identify a patient before a surgical procedure?
- One
- Two (Correct answer)
- Three
- Four
Correct answer: Two
The Joint Commission and AORN require at least two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth) before any procedure.
Question 7: Which position places the patient flat on their back with arms extended on armboards?
- Lithotomy
- Prone
- Supine (Correct answer)
- Lateral
Correct answer: Supine
The supine (dorsal recumbent) position places the patient flat on their back, the most common surgical position used for abdominal, thoracic, and many other procedures.
CNOR Trivia 2
Which organization is responsible for the CNOR certification examination?