Within the sterile field, only sterile items may come into contact with the patient's wound.
Correct Answer
True
True. Surgical asepsis keeps microorganisms out of the operative site, so anything that touches the wound or the sterile field must itself be sterile.
Category: Asepsis and Attire
Question 2
Counting instruments and supplies during surgery helps prevent items from being left inside the patient.
Correct Answer
True
True. The scrub nurse assists with counts of instruments and supplies so that nothing is unintentionally retained in the surgical wound.
Category: Surgical Team Roles
Question 3
The time-out is the final opportunity for any team member to raise a concern before the procedure begins.
Correct Answer
True
True. During the time-out, the whole team pauses to confirm the patient, procedure, site and consent, and anyone can speak up before the procedure starts.
Category: Time-Out
Question 4
Airway obstruction, respiratory depression and inadequate ventilation during surgery can each lead to hypoxia.
Correct Answer
True
True. Hypoxia, too little oxygen reaching the tissues, can follow any problem that blocks or reduces ventilation, so the anesthesia provider monitors oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide continuously. Related respiratory complications include bronchospasm, atelectasis and aspiration.
Category: Intraoperative Complications
Question 5
Anesthesia awareness can occur when the depth of general anesthesia is not sufficient.
Correct Answer
True
True. In this rare event the patient becomes partly or fully aware during surgery and may later recall sounds or conversations, which can cause lasting distress.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 6
A surgical mask is worn to cover the mouth, nose and beard hair.
Correct Answer
True
True. Covering these areas keeps the wearer's droplets and hair away from the sterile field, along with the cap, eyewear and shoe covers.
Category: Asepsis and Attire
Question 7
Monitored anesthesia care can be converted to general anesthesia during a procedure if needed.
Correct Answer
True
True. Monitored anesthesia care combines local anesthesia with titrated IV sedation, and one advantage is the flexibility to move to general anesthesia if the situation requires it.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 8
Pain can return quickly once moderate sedation wears off, so the nurse plans pain relief ahead of time.
Correct Answer
True
True. Knowing which drug was given and how long it lasts lets the nurse give pain medication before the effect ends, for a smooth transition.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 9
After anesthesia, an older adult's blood pressure may stay low for longer than a younger, healthier patient's.
Correct Answer
True
True. Reduced physiological reserve, multiple conditions and slower drug metabolism prolong the effects of anesthesia in older adults, so their blood pressure is watched closely.
Category: Older Adults in Surgery
Question 10
Ultrasound guidance improves the accuracy of needle placement for peripheral nerve blocks.
Correct Answer
True
True. Seeing the nerve and surrounding structures on ultrasound helps the provider place the needle and anesthetic precisely.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 11
Clinics and provider offices typically use general anesthesia for minor procedures such as removing a skin lesion.
Correct Answer
False
False. Clinics and specialty offices typically use local anesthesia for minor procedures, which avoids admission and keeps costs low.
Category: Phases and Settings
Question 12
Because the patient's eyes are closed under general anesthesia, they need no protection during head positioning.
Correct Answer
False
False. Pressure, compression or excess stretching during head positioning can injure the eyes, so the team uses eye protection and positions the head carefully.
Category: Positioning Complications
Question 13
Spinal anesthesia is injected into the epidural space, outside the dura.
Correct Answer
False
False. Spinal anesthesia is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture, while epidural anesthesia is placed in the epidural space.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 14
The scrub nurse leaves the sterile field during surgery to gather supplies from outside the room.
Correct Answer
False
False. The scrub nurse stays at the sterile field passing instruments, and the circulating nurse obtains supplies and manages the flow of materials.
Category: Surgical Team Roles
Question 15
Excessive vasodilation during surgery raises the patient's blood pressure.
Correct Answer
False
False. Excessive vasodilation lowers blood pressure, as do blood loss and inadequate fluid replacement. Intraoperative hypertension is more often linked to pain, anxiety and the sympathetic response to surgery.
Category: Intraoperative Complications
Question 16
Local anesthetics such as lidocaine are common triggers of malignant hyperthermia.
Correct Answer
False
False. Malignant hyperthermia is triggered by volatile inhaled anesthetics and succinylcholine, not by local anesthetics.
Category: Intraoperative Complications
Question 17
Gel pads and positioning pillows are used mainly for the surgeon's comfort rather than to protect the patient.
Correct Answer
False
False. Gel pads and pillows conform to the body and spread pressure, helping to prevent pressure injuries and nerve damage in the patient.
Category: Positioning Complications
Question 18
Regional anesthesia exposes the body to more anesthetic drug than general anesthesia does.
Correct Answer
False
False. Regional anesthesia blocks nerves to one area, which reduces systemic anesthetic exposure and can lessen postoperative pain and speed recovery.
Category: Anesthesia and Sedation
Question 19
A fast breathing rate is a dependable sign of malignant hyperthermia in a patient who has received neuromuscular blocking agents.
Correct Answer
False
False. A paralyzed, mechanically ventilated patient cannot raise their own breathing rate, so tachypnea may be absent and the team relies on signs such as rising carbon dioxide, rigidity and tachycardia.
Category: Intraoperative Complications
Question 20
Team members who will wear sterile gloves can skip hand hygiene before gloving.
Correct Answer
False
False. Hand hygiene is a critical step of surgical asepsis and is performed even when sterile gloves will be worn.
Category: Asepsis and Attire