ABPANC ABPANC Anesthesia Recovery & Phase Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In PACU Phase I, what is the primary nursing priority when admitting a patient from the OR?
- Establish airway patency and assess respiratory status (Correct answer)
- Administer post-operative pain medications immediately
- Contact the surgeon with a recovery update
- Initiate oral fluids to promote hydration
Correct answer: Establish airway patency and assess respiratory status
Airway patency and respiratory assessment are the highest priorities upon PACU Phase I admission to prevent hypoxia.
Question 2: Which Aldrete score criterion assesses a patient's readiness to be discharged from PACU Phase I to Phase II?
- Pain level less than 3/10
- SpO2 ≥92% on room air or baseline O2 (Correct answer)
- Ability to tolerate oral fluids without nausea
- Presence of active bowel sounds
Correct answer: SpO2 ≥92% on room air or baseline O2
An Aldrete score of ≥9, including adequate oxygen saturation, indicates readiness for Phase II discharge.
Question 3: A patient in PACU develops laryngospasm post-extubation. What is the immediate nursing intervention?
- Administer IV succinylcholine as first-line treatment
- Apply jaw thrust and positive pressure ventilation with 100% O2 (Correct answer)
- Position patient in Trendelenburg and call for emergency airway cart
- Encourage deep breathing exercises and reassure the patient
Correct answer: Apply jaw thrust and positive pressure ventilation with 100% O2
Jaw thrust and positive pressure ventilation with 100% oxygen is the initial intervention to break laryngospasm.
Question 4: Which phase of perianesthesia care involves preparing the patient for discharge to home or a care unit with ongoing monitoring?
- Pre-anesthesia phase
- PACU Phase I
- PACU Phase II (Correct answer)
- Extended observation unit
Correct answer: PACU Phase II
PACU Phase II focuses on preparing the patient for discharge home or to an inpatient unit with less intensive monitoring.
Question 5: What is the most common cause of post-operative hypoxemia in the immediate PACU period?
- Pulmonary embolism
- Residual anesthetic-induced respiratory depression (Correct answer)
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Tension pneumothorax
Correct answer: Residual anesthetic-induced respiratory depression
Residual effects of anesthetic agents are the most common cause of respiratory depression and hypoxemia in the immediate post-operative period.
Question 6: During PACU recovery, a patient exhibits signs of malignant hyperthermia. Which medication is the definitive treatment?
- Diphenhydramine IV push
- Dantrolene sodium IV (Correct answer)
- Sodium bicarbonate infusion
- Propofol infusion
Correct answer: Dantrolene sodium IV
Dantrolene sodium inhibits calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and is the definitive pharmacologic treatment for malignant hyperthermia.
ABPANC ABPANC Anesthesia Recovery & Phase Management 1
In PACU Phase I, what is the primary nursing priority when admitting a patient from the OR?