Emergency Response Procedures Flashcards

A post-thyroidectomy patient develops carpopedal spasm, perioral tingling, and a positive Chvostek sign in the PACU. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely?

Answer: Hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemia occurs after thyroidectomy due to inadvertent parathyroid removal and presents with neuromuscular excitability including Chvostek and Trousseau signs.

During CPR in the PACU, the team leader asks for the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing adult CPR. The correct ratio is:

Answer: 30:2

Current AHA guidelines specify a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult single-rescuer CPR before an advanced airway is placed.

A 72-year-old patient in the PACU becomes increasingly confused, hypertensive, and complains of a severe headache following elective hip replacement. Which urgent assessment should the nurse perform first?

Answer: Perform a focused neurological assessment

Sudden severe headache with hypertension and altered mental status may indicate intracerebral hemorrhage or hypertensive emergency, requiring immediate neurological assessment.

A PACU patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.22, PaCO2 58 mmHg, PaO2 68 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. This pattern is consistent with:

Answer: Acute respiratory acidosis

Low pH with elevated PaCO2 and normal bicarbonate indicates acute respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation.

After administering rocuronium-assisted intubation, the anesthesiologist orders sugammadex for reversal. Which patient condition is a contraindication to sugammadex administration?

Answer: Known hypersensitivity to sugammadex

Known hypersensitivity or allergy to sugammadex is the primary contraindication, as severe anaphylaxis has been reported.

A patient in the PACU develops acute onset of severe dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and tachycardia after total hip arthroplasty. The nurse suspects pulmonary embolism. Which finding would further support this diagnosis?

Answer: Decreased end-tidal CO2

Pulmonary embolism causes a ventilation-perfusion mismatch that decreases end-tidal CO2 due to increased dead space ventilation.

A PACU nurse is caring for a patient who develops a seizure lasting 3 minutes. After the seizure ends, the nurse's priority action is:

Answer: Assess airway, breathing, and circulation, and ensure patient safety

Post-ictal assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation is the immediate priority to ensure the patient is safe and oxygenating adequately.