CPAN Skills and Competencies 3

Question 1

A patient with a history of malignant hyperthermia is admitted to the PACU. The CPAN knows the most important monitoring parameter specific to this risk is:

Accepted Answer

End-tidal CO2 and temperature trending

Answer

Rising end-tidal CO2 and temperature are early hallmarks of malignant hyperthermia crisis, requiring immediate recognition and dantrolene administration.

Question 2

Which assessment finding in a post-tonsillectomy pediatric patient should prompt the PACU nurse to immediately notify the surgeon?

Accepted Answer

Frequent swallowing and restlessness

Answer

Frequent swallowing in a post-tonsillectomy patient is a key sign of hemorrhage as the child swallows blood pooling in the posterior pharynx.

Question 3

A PACU patient receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine has a respiratory rate of 7 breaths/min and pinpoint pupils. The CPAN should first:

Accepted Answer

Administer naloxone 0.4 mg IV and prepare to repeat dosing

Answer

Signs of opioid toxicity with respiratory depression require immediate naloxone administration to reverse life-threatening respiratory compromise.

Question 4

When performing a Romberg test assessment in Phase II recovery, the nurse is evaluating:

Accepted Answer

Proprioception and balance for safe ambulation

Answer

The Romberg test assesses proprioceptive balance, which must be intact before a patient is considered safe for independent ambulation after neuraxial anesthesia.

Question 5

A post-cardiac surgery patient in the PACU develops cardiac tamponade. Which hemodynamic pattern is most consistent with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Beck's triad: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, elevated JVD

Answer

Beck's triad — hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and elevated jugular venous distension — is the classic presentation of cardiac tamponade.

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CPAN Skills and Competencies 3