CPAN Roles and Responsibilities 2

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Reassess airway patency and oxygen saturation

Answer

Notify the anesthesia provider immediately

Answer

Review the patient's medication administration record

Answer

Contact the surgeon for orders

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Ensuring the patient's family is satisfied with care

Answer

Advocating for additional staffing on the unit

Answer

Communicating patient preferences to the billing department

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Document the difficult airway and ensure airway equipment is readily available

Answer

Administer additional analgesics to reduce patient anxiety

Answer

Notify the ICU for potential transfer

Answer

Place the patient in Trendelenburg position

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Assessing and documenting dressing status and reporting abnormal drainage

Answer

Performing wound closure if sutures are loose

Answer

Prescribing topical antibiotics for wound care

Answer

Independently deciding when to change a surgical dressing

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Provide general information since he is her spouse

Answer

Ask the charge nurse to speak with him instead

Answer

Refer him to the surgeon for all questions

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

When the unit is short-staffed and patients are stable

Answer

When the UAP has completed PACU orientation

Answer

Only for Phase II patients awaiting discharge

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Clarify the discrepancy with the anesthesia provider before accepting the patient

Answer

Proceed with care based on the verbal report only

Answer

Document both versions and address it later

Answer

Contact the charge nurse to resolve the discrepancy