Question 1

Which of the following terms relates to the potential impact on personnel from the duties of the job description or the handling and use of equipment and supplies encountered within the perioperative environment?
A) aerobics
B) ergonomics
C) mnemonics
D) prosthetics

Accepted Answer

Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities. It focuses on the potential impact on personnel from the duties of the job description or the handling and use of equipment and supplies encountered within the perioperative environment to minimize the risk of injury or harm. A) Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that focuses on cardiovascular activity. C) Mnemonics is a memory aid technique. D) Prosthetics are artificial body parts.

Question 2

Which type of ventilation system provides a supply of clean air and reduces contaminants and fumes from the OR?
A) negative, bidirectional
B) negative, unidirectional
C) positive, bidirectional
D) positive, unidirectional

Accepted Answer

A positive, unidirectional ventilation system provides a supply of clean air and reduces contaminants and fumes from the OR. The positive pressure in the room prevents contaminated air from entering, while the unidirectional flow pushes the contaminants towards the exhaust system.

Question 3

Frozen section biopsies are sent to which hospital department for analysis?
A) CT scan
B) nuclear medicine
C) pathology
D) sterile processing

Accepted Answer

Frozen section biopsies are sent to the pathology department for analysis.

Question 4

Unless the patient is at risk of hypothermia, the temperature range in the OR should be between:
A) 55°F and 60°F
B) 63°F and 68°F
C) 68°F and 73°F
D) 75°F and 80°F

Accepted Answer

The recommended temperature range in the operating room (OR) for patient comfort and to reduce the risk of hypothermia, unless the patient is at risk of hypothermia and requires a different temperature setting, is between 68°F and 73°F. This range helps maintain normothermia, reducing the risk of surgical site infections and promoting patient comfort.

Question 5

Which piece of OR furniture is usually the MOST proximal to the operative site?
A) back table
B) kick bucket
C) Mayo stand
D) ring stand

Accepted Answer

The Mayo stand is usually positioned closest to the operative site to hold instruments and supplies needed for the procedure. The back table is used for larger items and not typically placed directly next to the patient. The kick bucket and ring stand are usually positioned further away from the operative site.

Question 6

An operating room where a surgical procedure is in progress would be considered what type of area?
A) biohazardous
B) decontamination
C) restricted
D) semirestricted

Accepted Answer

An operating room where a surgical procedure is in progress is considered a restricted area. This is because it is a controlled environment with limited access to ensure the safety and sterility of the surgical field.

Question 7

The Wilson frame is used for positioning a patient in which of the following surgical positions?
A) lateral kidney
B) lithotomy
C) prone
D) sitting

Accepted Answer

The Wilson frame is specifically designed to support patients in the prone position during surgery, allowing for optimal access to the surgical site while minimizing pressure on the abdomen.

Question 8

The visual representation of the components necessary to support a fire is which of the following geometric shapes?
A) circle
B) ellipse
C) square
D) triangle

Accepted Answer

The visual representation of the components necessary to support a fire is often depicted as a triangle, known as the fire triangle. This triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite and sustain: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

Question 9

Which of the following components of personal protective equipment (PPE) are worn for procedures using fluoroscopy?
A) laser mask and laser goggles
B) arthroscopy boots and impervious apron
C) plastic face shield and N-95 respirator mask
D) lead apron and thyroid shield

Accepted Answer

Procedures using fluoroscopy expose healthcare workers to ionizing radiation, which can cause both acute and chronic health effects. To protect against radiation exposure during fluoroscopy, lead aprons and thyroid shields should be worn. The other options listed are not necessary for this type of procedure.

Question 10

The emergency shut-off valve for the supply of oxygen into an operating room is designated by which color?
A) black
B) blue
C) green
D) red

Accepted Answer

The color designated for the emergency shut-off valve for oxygen supply is green. This is a standard color coding used in medical gas supply systems to help quickly identify the type of gas.

Question 11

What is the electrical engineering safety device required for all operating room electrical outlets?
A) flip top cover
B) red-color designation
C) current converter
D) ground fault interrupter

Accepted Answer

The ground fault interrupter (GFI) is a safety device that quickly shuts off power to the outlet if there is a current leakage, which can help prevent electrocution. It is required for all operating room electrical outlets to ensure the safety of patients and medical personnel. Flip top covers and red-color designation are not specifically required for operating room electrical outlets, and current converters are not safety devices.

Question 12

Which type of procedure would require an operating table with a fluid drain pan attachment?
A) cardiac catheterization
B) coronary artery bypass
C) craniotomy
D) cystoscopy

Accepted Answer

A cystoscopy is a procedure where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to view the inner lining of the bladder. During this procedure, fluid is used to expand the bladder for better visibility, and a fluid drain pan is necessary to collect the used fluid.

Question 13

What are the preferred characteristics common to the walls, floors, cabinets, and doors in an operating room?
A) cushioned and color coded
B) nonporous and waterproof
C) padded and pleasant colored
D) reflective and fireproof

Accepted Answer

The walls, floors, cabinets, and doors in an operating room should be nonporous and waterproof in order to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and to allow for easy cleaning and disinfection. Cushioned and padded surfaces may create crevices where bacteria can grow and may be harder to clean. Pleasant colors and reflective surfaces are not necessary for the function of an operating room, and fireproofing is important but not specific to these particular features.

Question 14

What is the term used for the process of cleaning an OR after one procedure and preparing for a subsequent one?
A) turnover
B) crossover
C) passover
D) changeover

Accepted Answer

The term used for the process of cleaning an OR after one procedure and preparing for a subsequent one is turnover.

Question 15

Which characteristic of surgical overhead lights allows the surgeon to differentiate between the colors of arterial and venous blood or subtle color changes in tissues?
A) lightbulbs that give fluorescent light
B) lightbulbs that approximate sunlight
C) adjustable tracks for repositioning lights
D) spot focus with dark center to prevent glaring

Accepted Answer

Lightbulbs that approximate sunlight provide the most accurate color rendition, which is important for distinguishing between different blood types and subtle color changes in tissues. Fluorescent lights tend to distort colors, while adjustable tracks and spot focus with dark centers help with positioning and glare reduction but do not affect color perception.

Question 16

Which of the following national agencies is an arm of the CDC and functions under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to research and establish permissible exposure limits for chemical vapors and gases?
A) AAMI
B) ANSI
C) NIOSH
D) NFPA

Accepted Answer

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) is the national agency that is an arm of the CDC and functions under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to research and establish permissible exposure limits for chemical vapors and gases. AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) is a nonprofit organization that is involved in the development of medical device standards. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a private, nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for a wide range of industries. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) is an international nonprofit organization that develops and publishes codes and standards for fire protection and safety.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a category of hazard for OR personnel or surgical patients?
A) biological
B) chemical
C) physical
D) physiological

Accepted Answer

The categories of hazard for OR personnel and surgical patients include biological (such as exposure to bloodborne pathogens), chemical (such as exposure to hazardous drugs), and physical (such as injury from sharps or moving equipment). Physiological is not a category of hazard, but rather refers to the normal functions and processes of the human body.

Question 18

What are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for OR air exchanges per hour?
A) 10-15 with 20% fresh outside air
B) 10-15 with 90% filtered recirculated air
C) 20-25 with 20% fresh outside air
D) 20-25 with 90% filtered recirculated air

Accepted Answer

According to the CDC guidelines, operating room air exchanges per hour should be between 20-25 with at least 20% fresh outside air. This helps to maintain a clean and sterile environment for surgical procedures. Using 90% filtered recirculated air is not recommended as it may increase the risk of airborne contamination.

Question 19

Where are surgical instrument "booms" mounted in an operating room?
A) ceiling
B) door
C) floor
D) wall

Accepted Answer

Surgical instrument booms are typically mounted on the ceiling of an operating room to provide easy access to surgical instruments and other equipment without creating clutter on the floor or walls.

Question 20

Why would surface-mounted sliding doors be preferred over swinging doors in an operating room?
A) less costly
B) easier to clean
C) reduces air turbulence
D) uses less wall space

Accepted Answer

Surface-mounted sliding doors are preferred over swinging doors in an operating room because they reduce air turbulence. Swinging doors can create air movements that may disrupt the sterile environment in the operating room. Surface-mounted sliding doors eliminate this concern and ensure a safer environment for the patient.

Quiz 5: Physical Environment and Safety Standards

Which of the following terms relates to the potential impact on personnel from the duties of the job description or the handling and use of equipment and supplies encountered within the perioperative environment?

Which type of ventilation system provides a supply of clean air and reduces contaminants and fumes from the OR?

Frozen section biopsies are sent to which hospital department for analysis?

Unless the patient is at risk of hypothermia, the temperature range in the OR should be between:

Which piece of OR furniture is usually the MOST proximal to the operative site?

An operating room where a surgical procedure is in progress would be considered what type of area?

The Wilson frame is used for positioning a patient in which of the following surgical positions?

The visual representation of the components necessary to support a fire is which of the following geometric shapes?

Which of the following components of personal protective equipment (PPE) are worn for procedures using fluoroscopy?

The emergency shut-off valve for the supply of oxygen into an operating room is designated by which color?

What is the electrical engineering safety device required for all operating room electrical outlets?

Which type of procedure would require an operating table with a fluid drain pan attachment?

What are the preferred characteristics common to the walls, floors, cabinets, and doors in an operating room?

What is the term used for the process of cleaning an OR after one procedure and preparing for a subsequent one?

Which characteristic of surgical overhead lights allows the surgeon to differentiate between the colors of arterial and venous blood or subtle color changes in tissues?

Which of the following national agencies is an arm of the CDC and functions under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to research and establish permissible exposure limits for chemical vapors and gases?

Which of the following is NOT a category of hazard for OR personnel or surgical patients?

What are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for OR air exchanges per hour?

Where are surgical instrument "booms" mounted in an operating room?

Why would surface-mounted sliding doors be preferred over swinging doors in an operating room?