Operating Room Setup & Management Flashcards

What is the recommended minimum air exchange rate per hour in a standard operating room?

Answer: 20 exchanges per hour

AORN guidelines recommend a minimum of 20 air exchanges per hour in the OR to minimize airborne contamination.

Which type of OR table attachment is used to support the patient's arm during procedures requiring access to the brachial plexus area?

Answer: Armboard

An armboard attaches to the OR table to support and position the patient's arm during procedures requiring upper extremity access.

When setting up a back table, the surgical technologist should arrange instruments in what order?

Answer: Order of anticipated use during the procedure

Instruments on the back table are organized by order of anticipated use so they can be passed efficiently during the procedure.

What is the purpose of a Mayo stand in the OR?

Answer: To hold instruments immediately needed during surgery

The Mayo stand holds instruments that will be immediately needed during the current phase of surgery, keeping them within easy reach.

The sterile field should be established how far in advance of the scheduled procedure start time?

Answer: No more than 30 minutes before the procedure

AORN recommends the sterile field be set up as close to the time of use as possible, with no more than 30 minutes considered acceptable by many facilities.

Which OR environmental factor must be maintained to prevent hypothermia in pediatric patients?

Answer: Room temperature raised to 85–90°F (29–32°C)

Pediatric patients lose heat rapidly, so OR temperature is raised significantly — often to 85–90°F — to prevent hypothermia during their procedures.

What is the proper technique for opening a sterile peel-pack onto the sterile field?

Answer: Peel back the edges and allow contents to drop onto the field without reaching in

Sterile peel-packs are opened by peeling back both edges and dropping the contents onto the sterile field, avoiding contamination of the field or the item.