Roles and Responsibilities Flashcards

A PACU nurse is caring for a patient who was discharged from Phase I recovery but is now being returned due to respiratory distress. What is the nurse's first priority?

Answer: Reassess airway patency and oxygen saturation

Reassessing airway patency and oxygen saturation addresses the immediate life threat before escalating to the provider.

According to ASPAN standards, which of the following best describes the PACU nurse's role in patient advocacy?

Answer: Representing the patient's interests when they cannot speak for themselves

Patient advocacy in the PACU involves representing the patient's best interests, especially when they are sedated and unable to self-advocate.

A PACU nurse receives a patient from the OR. During hand-off, the CRNA mentions a difficult intubation requiring three attempts. What is the nurse's most important responsibility based on this information?

Answer: Document the difficult airway and ensure airway equipment is readily available

Documenting the difficult airway and keeping emergency airway equipment nearby prepares the PACU team for potential re-intubation needs.

Which collaborative responsibility does the PACU nurse share with the surgical team regarding wound management?

Answer: Assessing and documenting dressing status and reporting abnormal drainage

The PACU nurse assesses and documents dressing status and reports abnormal findings to the surgical team within the scope of collaborative practice.

A Phase II PACU patient expresses that she does not want her husband notified of her diagnosis. The husband arrives and demands information. What should the nurse do?

Answer: Inform him that patient privacy cannot allow disclosure without the patient's consent

HIPAA mandates that patient information not be disclosed without consent regardless of the relationship of the requesting party.

When is it appropriate for a PACU nurse to delegate assessment tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Answer: Assessment cannot be delegated; only selected tasks within the UAP's role can be

Nursing assessment is a professional responsibility that cannot be delegated to UAPs under any circumstance.

A PACU nurse notes a discrepancy between the intraoperative medication record and the anesthesia provider's verbal report. What is the appropriate action?

Answer: Clarify the discrepancy with the anesthesia provider before accepting the patient

Medication discrepancies must be clarified before accepting patient responsibility to ensure safe, accurate post-anesthesia care.