CAPA Patient Safety & Monitoring 5

Question 1

A patient in ambulatory surgery Phase II recovery has a pain score of 8/10 and has already received the maximum ordered opioid dose. Which multimodal approach should the nurse advocate for?

Accepted Answer

Suggest IV ketorolac if not contraindicated and apply ice to the surgical site

Answer

Multimodal analgesia with NSAIDs like ketorolac combined with non-pharmacologic measures (ice, positioning) provides opioid-sparing pain control in ambulatory patients.

Question 2

The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal regarding medication reconciliation is MOST applicable in the perianesthesia setting when:

Accepted Answer

Discharging a patient home with written instructions

Answer

Medication reconciliation at discharge ensures patients understand their home medications and any new prescriptions, preventing errors at a high-risk care transition.

Question 3

A PACU patient develops hypertension to 190/110 mmHg and complains of a headache. Which action should the nurse prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Perform a neurological assessment and notify the physician immediately

Answer

Severe hypertension with headache in the postoperative period may indicate hypertensive emergency or intracranial event, requiring immediate neurological assessment and physician notification.

Question 4

Which postoperative assessment finding is MOST suggestive of emergence delirium in an adult PACU patient?

Accepted Answer

Purposeless agitation, disorientation, and thrashing not responsive to reassurance

Answer

Emergence delirium is characterized by non-purposeful agitation, disorientation, and thrashing that does not respond to verbal reassurance, distinguishing it from pain or normal emergence.

Question 5

Which patient population has the HIGHEST risk of postoperative respiratory complications in the ambulatory surgery setting, requiring extended monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Morbidly obese patients with OSA on CPAP therapy

Answer

Morbidly obese patients with OSA are at highest risk for postoperative upper airway obstruction and oxygen desaturation, requiring extended monitoring before Phase II or home discharge.

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CAPA Patient Safety & Monitoring 5