CRNFA (AORN) 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: AORN's Guideline for Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis recommends that the RNFA assess patients preoperatively for DVT risk using which approach?
- A validated risk stratification tool such as the Caprini score to guide prophylaxis selection (Correct answer)
- Visual inspection of the lower extremities only, without a formal scoring tool
- DVT prophylaxis is exclusively the anesthesiologist's responsibility
- Prophylaxis is not needed for procedures lasting less than three hours
Correct answer: A validated risk stratification tool such as the Caprini score to guide prophylaxis selection
AORN recommends using evidence-based risk stratification tools like the Caprini score to individualize DVT prophylaxis in surgical patients.
Question 2: When the RNFA identifies a break in sterile technique during a procedure, AORN standards require which immediate action?
- Announce the break to the team, correct it immediately, and document the event (Correct answer)
- Continue the procedure silently and address the contamination after surgery
- Notify only the surgeon and avoid alerting the rest of the team
- Replace the contaminated item only if the surgeon requests it
Correct answer: Announce the break to the team, correct it immediately, and document the event
AORN requires immediate disclosure, correction, and documentation of sterile technique breaks to maintain patient safety and transparency.
Question 3: AORN's Guideline for Safe Patient Handling and Movement recommends that the RNFA use which approach when transferring a patient from the OR table?
- A mechanical lateral transfer device with adequate team members to ensure safe movement (Correct answer)
- Manual lifting by two team members without assistive devices for routine transfers
- The RNFA should transfer the patient independently to save team time
- Patient transfer safety is solely the responsibility of the transport aide
Correct answer: A mechanical lateral transfer device with adequate team members to ensure safe movement
AORN's safe patient handling guideline mandates the use of mechanical transfer aids and adequate personnel to reduce musculoskeletal injury risk for both patients and staff.
Question 4: According to AORN, the role of the RNFA during the postoperative phase includes which of the following?
- Writing postoperative orders within the RNFA's credentialed scope, applying wound dressings, and providing patient education (Correct answer)
- Administering anesthesia reversal agents independently in the PACU
- Independently discharging the patient from the facility without physician oversight
- Performing postoperative imaging interpretation as the primary radiologic reader
Correct answer: Writing postoperative orders within the RNFA's credentialed scope, applying wound dressings, and providing patient education
AORN recognizes the RNFA's postoperative role as including wound care, patient education, and order writing within their legally authorized and credentialed scope.
Question 5: AORN's evidence-based guidelines on normothermia recommend maintaining patient core body temperature at or above which threshold throughout the perioperative period?
- 36°C (96.8°F) (Correct answer)
- 34°C (93.2°F)
- 38.5°C (101.3°F)
- 35°C (95°F)
Correct answer: 36°C (96.8°F)
AORN's normothermia guideline targets a core temperature of ≥36°C to reduce surgical site infection risk, coagulopathy, and cardiac events.
Question 6: Which AORN-recommended practice describes the appropriate management of a sharps container that reaches the fill line in the OR during an ongoing procedure?
- Seal the container and replace it with a new one without interrupting the sterile field (Correct answer)
- Continue adding sharps above the fill line until the procedure is complete
- Manually compress the contents to create space for additional sharps
- Pass the overfilled container to the sterile field for temporary storage
Correct answer: Seal the container and replace it with a new one without interrupting the sterile field
AORN's sharps safety guidelines require replacing a full sharps container immediately to prevent needlestick injuries from overfilling.
Question 7: AORN's Guideline for a Safe Environment of Care recommends that OR traffic be restricted primarily to reduce the risk of:
- Surgical site infection by minimizing air turbulence and particulate contamination (Correct answer)
- Equipment theft during lengthy procedures
- Communication errors between surgical team members
- Delays in instrument delivery from central sterile processing
Correct answer: Surgical site infection by minimizing air turbulence and particulate contamination
AORN restricts OR traffic because each door opening disrupts laminar airflow and increases airborne particulates that elevate surgical site infection risk.
CRNFA (AORN) 5
AORN's Guideline for Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis recommends that the RNFA assess patients preoperatively for DVT risk using which approach?