DAANCE Post-Anesthesia Care and Recovery Management

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in a dental office setting?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring patients until they meet discharge criteria

Answer

The PACU provides continuous monitoring of patients recovering from anesthesia until they meet safe discharge criteria.

Question 2

Which scoring system is commonly used to assess a patient's readiness for discharge after sedation/anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Aldrete Score

Answer

The Aldrete Score evaluates activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine discharge readiness after anesthesia.

Question 3

After sedation, a patient's oxygen saturation drops to 92% on room air. What is the first intervention?

Accepted Answer

Apply supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula or mask

Answer

Supplemental oxygen should be applied immediately to correct hypoxia and restore adequate oxygen saturation in a recovering patient.

Question 4

Which of the following is a common sign of emergence agitation in a recovering pediatric dental patient?

Accepted Answer

Crying, thrashing, and inconsolable behavior disproportionate to pain

Answer

Emergence agitation in children often presents as crying, disorientation, and thrashing that is disproportionate to any pain stimulus.

Question 5

What is the minimum acceptable oxygen saturation (SpO2) for a patient to be considered for discharge after dental anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

94% or greater (typically ≥95%)

Answer

Most discharge protocols require SpO2 of ≥94–95% on room air before a post-anesthesia patient can safely be discharged.

DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination Practice Test

DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination Practice Test

DAANCE Post-Anesthesia Care and Recovery Management