CPAN Patient Assessment and Evaluation 3

Question 1

A PACU patient who received general anesthesia with succinylcholine develops jaw rigidity, rapidly rising temperature, and muscle rigidity 30 minutes post-induction. Which lab value is the earliest indicator of the suspected complication?

Accepted Answer

Elevated serum lactate

Answer

Elevated serum lactate from anaerobic metabolism is one of the earliest laboratory indicators of malignant hyperthermia, reflecting increased cellular oxygen consumption.

Question 2

When performing a post-anesthesia neurological assessment, which finding indicates the highest level of consciousness on the AVPU scale?

Accepted Answer

Patient is alert and oriented

Answer

On the AVPU scale, 'A' (Alert) represents the highest level, indicating the patient is fully conscious without any external stimulation.

Question 3

A 68-year-old patient in the PACU becomes agitated and tries to remove the IV line 45 minutes after emergence from general anesthesia. Which assessment finding would most suggest emergence delirium rather than pain?

Accepted Answer

Non-purposeful thrashing with inconsolable crying unrelated to stimuli

Answer

Non-purposeful, inconsolable behavior unrelated to external stimuli is characteristic of emergence delirium, distinguishing it from pain-related agitation.

Question 4

During PACU assessment, a patient's capnography shows a waveform with a gradually rising plateau and a prolonged expiratory phase. This pattern is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Obstructive airway disease such as bronchospasm

Answer

A shark-fin or oblique capnography waveform with prolonged expiration indicates obstructive airway disease due to impaired exhalation.

Question 5

A post-anesthesia patient's Steward Recovery Score is being calculated. Which three parameters does this scoring system evaluate?

Accepted Answer

Respiration, consciousness, and movement

Answer

The Steward Recovery Score, used primarily in pediatric patients, evaluates respiration, consciousness, and movement to determine readiness for discharge from Phase I PACU.

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CPAN Patient Assessment and Evaluation 3