200+ Free CFPN Practice Questions

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What is the primary purpose of the preoperative assessment?

To determine if the patient can afford the surgery

To establish a baseline of the patient's health status and identify potential risks

To schedule the next surgery for the patient

To complete insurance paperwork

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CFPN Exam

120

Total Questions

CCI CFPN Handbook

All Scored

No Pretest Questions

CCI CFPN Handbook

2h 30m

Exam Time

CCI CFPN Handbook

88%

Passing Score

106/120 correct

$250

Exam Fee

CCI fee schedule

3 years

Certification Valid

CCI recertification policy

1,200 hrs

Minimum Experience

CCI eligibility requirements

CCI's CFPN exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (all scored) delivered over 2 hours and 30 minutes. The exam uses a straight percentage scoring with a passing score of 88% (106/120). The seven content domains are weighted: Pre and Postoperative Patient Care (20%), Infection Control (20%), Sterile Technique (15%), Patient Safety/Equipment/Emergencies (20%), Professional Accountability (10%), Education/Communication (10%), and Operational Services (5%). CFPN certification is valid for 3 years and can serve as a stepping stone to CNOR certification.

Sample CFPN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CFPN exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary purpose of the preoperative assessment?

A.To determine if the patient can afford the surgery

B.To establish a baseline of the patient's health status and identify potential risks

C.To schedule the next surgery for the patient

D.To complete insurance paperwork

Explanation: The preoperative assessment establishes a baseline of the patient's current health status, identifies potential risks, and helps the surgical team plan appropriate care. It includes reviewing medical history, medications, allergies, and performing a physical assessment.

2Which of the following is included in medication reconciliation during preoperative assessment?

A.Only prescription medications

B.All medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements

C.Only medications taken on the day of surgery

D.Only antibiotics and pain medications

Explanation: Medication reconciliation requires verifying all medications the patient takes, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some supplements and medications can affect bleeding, anesthesia, or recovery.

3What is the most important action when a patient states they have a latex allergy?

A.Document it in the chart only

B.Notify the surgical team and ensure a latex-free environment

C.Give the patient antihistamines prophylactically

D.Cancel the surgery

Explanation: Latex allergies can cause severe reactions including anaphylaxis. The perioperative nurse must immediately notify the entire surgical team and ensure a latex-free environment, including equipment, supplies, and medication vials.

4What does informed consent require before surgery?

A.Only the surgeon's signature

B.The patient's voluntary agreement after receiving explanation of the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives

C.A family member's signature only

D.Verbal agreement from the patient

Explanation: Informed consent requires that the patient voluntarily agrees to the procedure after receiving a clear explanation of the nature of the procedure, potential risks and benefits, alternative treatments, and possible consequences of not having the procedure.

5What is the proper technique for transporting a patient on a stretcher?

A.Push the stretcher from the foot end only

B.Always push the stretcher from the head end so the patient faces forward

C.Push from the side of the stretcher

D.Pull the stretcher from the front

Explanation: The stretcher should always be pushed from the head end so the patient faces forward. This provides better control, allows the patient to see where they are going, and ensures that any respiratory distress or changes in condition are immediately visible to the transporter.

6What is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections?

A.Wearing gloves

B.Proper hand hygiene

C.Wearing masks

D.Using sterile instruments

Explanation: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The WHO and CDC recommend handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub before and after patient contact, after removing gloves, and between procedures on the same patient.

7When should hand hygiene be performed when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site on the same patient?

A.Only at the end of the procedure

B.Before touching the clean body site

C.It is not necessary between sites on the same patient

D.Only if visible contamination is present

Explanation: Hand hygiene must be performed before touching the clean body site when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site on the same patient. This prevents cross-contamination and protects susceptible body sites from infection.

8What is the proper sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?

A.Gown, mask, gloves, eye protection

B.Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection

C.Hand hygiene, gown, mask/eye protection, gloves

D.Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection

Explanation: The proper sequence for donning PPE is: hand hygiene first, then gown, then mask and eye protection (or face shield), and finally gloves. This sequence ensures proper protection while minimizing contamination risk.

9What type of indicator is used to verify that sterilization conditions have been met inside a sterilization package?

A.Chemical indicator only

B.Biological indicator

C.Both chemical and biological indicators

D.Temperature gauge

Explanation: Both chemical and biological indicators are used to verify sterilization. Chemical indicators change color when exposed to sterilization conditions and are placed inside each package. Biological indicators containing heat-resistant bacterial spores verify that sterilization conditions were sufficient to kill microorganisms.

10What is the primary purpose of surgical attire in the operating room?

A.To identify staff roles

B.To minimize the shedding of microorganisms and particles into the surgical environment

C.To provide comfort for long procedures

D.To protect against bloodborne pathogens only

Explanation: Surgical attire (scrubs, caps, masks) is designed to minimize the shedding of skin cells, hair, and microorganisms into the sterile surgical field. Human skin naturally sheds particles that can harbor bacteria, so proper attire is essential for infection prevention.

About the CFPN Exam

CFPN is CCI's entry-level certification designed for nurses who are new to perioperative nursing with 1-2 years of experience. It validates foundational knowledge across pre and postoperative patient care, infection control, sterile technique, patient safety, professional accountability, education/communication, and operational services.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

88% (106/120 scored)

Exam Fee

$250 (CCI (Competency & Credentialing Institute))

CFPN Exam Content Outline

20%

Pre and Postoperative Patient Care

Preoperative assessment including patient history, allergies, medications, and risk factors. Preoperative teaching and informed consent. Postoperative monitoring, discharge criteria, pain management, and patient transport safety.

20%

Infection Prevention and Control

Hand hygiene techniques, proper PPE donning and doffing, surgical attire requirements, environmental cleaning protocols, sterilization monitoring using biological and chemical indicators, and exposure control measures.

15%

Sterile Technique

Surgical scrub procedures, gowning and gloving techniques, sterile field maintenance, contamination prevention, opening sterile items, drape application, and surgical counts (sponge, needle, instrument).

20%

Patient Safety, Equipment, and Emergency Situations

Equipment safety checks, electrosurgical and laser safety, patient positioning and pressure injury prevention, VTE prophylaxis, fire safety in the OR, emergency response protocols, basic CPR, anaphylaxis response, and malignant hyperthermia recognition.

10%

Professional Accountability

Scope of practice for perioperative nurses, legal responsibilities, ethical principles, accurate documentation, chain of custody for specimens, incident reporting procedures, and maintaining continuing competency.

10%

Education and Communication

Therapeutic communication with patients and families, patient education principles, family support during the surgical experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, handoff communication including SBAR, and cultural competency in perioperative care.

Operational Services

Supply management and inventory control, surgical instrument identification and handling, case cart preparation, scheduling coordination, and proper waste management segregation and disposal.

How to Pass the CFPN Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 88% (106/120 scored)
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
Exam fee: $250

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CFPN Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on infection control fundamentals - hand hygiene, PPE, and sterilization monitoring are heavily tested

2Master sterile technique principles - surgical scrub, gowning/gloving, and maintaining the sterile field

3Study patient safety priorities - positioning, pressure injury prevention, and VTE prophylaxis

4Learn emergency protocols - fire safety, anaphylaxis response, and malignant hyperthermia recognition

5Review proper documentation and legal responsibilities in the perioperative setting

6Practice SBAR communication and interprofessional collaboration scenarios

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CFPN exam?

The CFPN exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, all of which are scored. You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam.

What score do I need to pass CFPN?

CFPN uses a straight percentage scoring system. The passing score is 88%, which means you need to answer at least 106 out of 120 questions correctly.

How much does CFPN certification cost?

The CFPN exam fee is $250. This is significantly less than the CNOR exam fee, making it a more accessible entry point for nurses new to perioperative nursing.

What are the CFPN content domain weights?

The seven content domains are weighted as follows: Pre and Postoperative Patient Care (20%), Infection Prevention and Control (20%), Sterile Technique (15%), Patient Safety/Equipment/Emergencies (20%), Professional Accountability (10%), Education/Communication (10%), and Operational Services (5%).

What are the eligibility requirements for CFPN?

To sit for CFPN, you must: 1) Have a current, unrestricted RN license, 2) Have at least 1 year (1,200 hours) of perioperative nursing experience. CFPN is designed for nurses with 1-2 years of perioperative experience, while CNOR requires 2+ years with intraoperative focus.

How long is CFPN certification valid?

CFPN certification is valid for 3 years. You can recertify by earning 75 contact hours of continuing education or by retaking and passing the CFPN exam.

What is the difference between CFPN and CNOR?

CFPN is an entry-level certification for nurses with 1-2 years of perioperative experience, while CNOR is for experienced perioperative nurses with 2+ years including intraoperative focus. CFPN covers foundational knowledge across all perioperative domains. Many nurses use CFPN as a stepping stone to prepare for CNOR certification.