CAPA Patient Safety & Monitoring 4

Question 1

A patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recovering from outpatient surgery. Which monitoring parameter is MOST critical in the immediate postoperative period?

Accepted Answer

Continuous SpO2 with waveform

Answer

OSA patients are at high risk for airway obstruction and oxygen desaturation; continuous pulse oximetry with waveform display is essential for early detection.

Question 2

Which PACU alarm condition should prompt the nurse to assess for laryngospasm?

Accepted Answer

Sudden SpO2 drop with high-pitched inspiratory stridor and sternal retraction

Answer

Laryngospasm presents with sudden SpO2 drop, high-pitched crowing stridor or complete silence, and sternal retraction due to forceful inspiratory effort against a closed glottis.

Question 3

A post-surgical patient in the PACU is exhibiting signs of malignant hyperthermia (MH). Which laboratory result would be MOST consistent with an MH crisis?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis with elevated creatine kinase

Answer

MH produces intense hypermetabolism causing metabolic (and respiratory) acidosis, and massive muscle destruction elevates creatine kinase (CK) markedly.

Question 4

When administering dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia, what is the correct initial IV dose?

Accepted Answer

2.5 mg/kg, repeated every 5 minutes up to 10 mg/kg

Answer

The MHAUS protocol recommends dantrolene 2.5 mg/kg IV bolus, repeated every 5 minutes until symptoms resolve, up to a total of 10 mg/kg or more.

Question 5

A patient receiving a regional nerve block is in Phase II recovery when they report metallic taste and circumoral numbness. The nurse should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Assess for signs of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) and call for help

Answer

Metallic taste and circumoral numbness are early CNS signs of LAST; immediate recognition, calling for help, and preparation for treatment (lipid emulsion) are the priority.

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CAPA Patient Safety & Monitoring 4