Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

During surgery, it is crucial to continuously monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as these vital signs provide immediate feedback about the patient's physiological status and response to surgical interventions. Heart rate indicates the cardiac function and can reveal signs of complications such as arrhythmias or hypovolemia. Blood pressure is vital for assessing circulation and ensuring adequate perfusion to vital organs. Oxygen saturation is critical for evaluating the patient's respiratory function and ensuring that tissues are receiving sufficient oxygen, especially during anesthesia. Together, these parameters help the surgical team detect potential issues early and adjust the management of the patient as needed to maintain safety and stability throughout the procedure.

While other vital signs like temperature and blood glucose levels, urine output, skin turgor, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness are important, they are not as continuously monitored as the primary trio of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation during surgery.