CAPA Postanesthesia Care 5

Question 1

Which medication class is most commonly implicated in delayed awakening from general anesthesia in the elderly ambulatory patient?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Benzodiazepines have prolonged half-lives in elderly patients due to reduced hepatic metabolism and increased volume of distribution, leading to delayed emergence.

Question 2

A patient in Phase I PACU has a blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg following general anesthesia for cataract surgery. Which factor should be assessed first?

Accepted Answer

Pain and bladder distension

Answer

Pain and bladder distension are common, reversible causes of postoperative hypertension that should be assessed and treated before antihypertensive medications.

Question 3

Which assessment tool is recommended by ASPAN for screening obstructive sleep apnea risk in pre-admission ambulatory surgery patients?

Accepted Answer

STOP-BANG questionnaire

Answer

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is widely recommended and validated for preoperative OSA screening due to its simplicity and high sensitivity.

Question 4

A patient is receiving IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine in Phase I PACU. The nurse finds the patient sedated with a respiratory rate of 7. What is the correct intervention sequence?

Accepted Answer

Stop PCA, stimulate, administer oxygen, prepare naloxone if no response

Answer

PCA should be stopped immediately, followed by stimulation and supplemental oxygen; naloxone is reserved if the patient does not respond to these measures.

Question 5

Which patient factor increases the minimum score required on a PACU scoring system before discharge to Phase II?

Accepted Answer

Difficult airway history

Answer

Patients with a history of difficult airway require closer airway monitoring and may require higher discharge thresholds due to risk of rebound obstruction.

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CAPA) Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CAPA Postanesthesia Care 5