CFA Postoperative Care & Complications Flashcards
6 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CFA Postoperative Care & Complications flashcards as text
What is the first priority assessment when a patient arrives in the PACU?
Answer: Airway patency
Airway patency is always the primary PACU assessment because residual anesthesia can cause airway obstruction and respiratory compromise.
What does the Aldrete score assess in the PACU?
Answer: Readiness for PACU discharge
The Aldrete score evaluates activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine when a patient is ready to be discharged from the PACU.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the immediate postoperative period?
Answer: Tongue relaxation from residual anesthesia
Tongue relaxation due to residual anesthetic effects is the most common cause of postoperative airway obstruction and is easily managed with airway positioning or an oral airway.
What core temperature defines perioperative hypothermia?
Answer: Below 36°C (96.8°F)
Perioperative hypothermia is defined as a core temperature below 36°C and is associated with increased bleeding risk, wound infection, and cardiac events.
Which drug is administered to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression in the PACU?
Answer: Naloxone (Narcan)
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and sedation by competitively blocking opioid receptors.
What is the standard SpO2 target for most postoperative patients in the PACU?
Answer: ≥95%
A SpO2 of ≥95% is the standard postoperative oxygenation target to ensure adequate tissue perfusion and detect early respiratory compromise.