CPAN Roles and Responsibilities 4

Question 1

A PACU nurse assesses a patient 30 minutes post-operatively and finds increasing agitation and confusion. The most appropriate initial nursing responsibility is to:

Accepted Answer

Perform a systematic assessment to identify the underlying cause

Answer

Administer a sedative per standing order to calm the patient

Answer

Apply soft restraints to ensure patient safety

Answer

Document the behavior and reassess in 30 minutes

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the PACU nurse's responsibility regarding informed consent for a procedure ordered post-operatively?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the ordering provider obtains consent; the nurse's role is to witness the signature

Answer

Obtain consent since the patient is in their care

Answer

Consent is not needed for post-operative procedures

Answer

Have the patient sign consent upon discharge to Phase II

Question 3

A PACU nurse is caring for an obese patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea following general anesthesia. Which nursing intervention is most reflective of this patient's specific risk?

Accepted Answer

Elevating the head of bed 30-45° and applying CPAP as ordered

Answer

Positioning the patient supine and flat to improve comfort

Answer

Administering additional opioids to reduce anxiety-related airway tension

Answer

Applying a nasal cannula at 2 L/min regardless of saturation levels

Question 4

After administering IV morphine to a PACU patient, the nurse notes respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and SpO2 of 89%. The nurse's responsibility includes:

Accepted Answer

Stimulating the patient, applying oxygen, and preparing naloxone per protocol

Answer

Documenting the findings and continuing to monitor every 15 minutes

Answer

Calling the anesthesiologist and waiting for orders before intervening

Answer

Repositioning the patient and reassessing in 5 minutes

Question 5

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the PACU nurse during the immediate post-anesthesia period regarding thermoregulation?

Accepted Answer

Assessing core temperature and implementing rewarming measures if hypothermic

Answer

Maintaining room temperature below 68°F to prevent infection

Answer

Avoiding all warming measures until the patient is fully awake

Answer

Applying cooling blankets to all post-operative patients prophylactically

Question 6

A PACU nurse's patient is being discharged to home after ambulatory surgery. The patient states he will drive himself home because his ride cancelled. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Explain that driving after anesthesia is unsafe and arrange alternate transportation before discharge

Answer

Allow discharge if the patient scores within discharge criteria

Answer

Document the patient's preference and have him sign an AMA form

Answer

Discharge with written instructions warning against driving

Question 7

Which scenario best illustrates the PACU nurse fulfilling a leadership responsibility on the unit?

Accepted Answer

Identifying a recurring equipment malfunction and initiating a quality improvement report

Answer

Completing all charting before the end of the shift

Answer

Requesting a transfer to a different unit due to workload

Answer

Asking the charge nurse to handle a difficult family member