Postoperative Care & PACU Management Flashcards
6 cards from real MAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Postoperative Care & PACU Management flashcards as text
What is the minimum oxygen saturation threshold for PACU discharge per standard Aldrete scoring?
Answer: 92% on room air or at baseline
An SpO2 ≥92% on room air or at the patient's baseline oxygen requirements is part of standard PACU discharge criteria.
What are the most common causes of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
Answer: Opioid use and volatile anesthetic agents
Opioids stimulate the chemoreceptor trigger zone and volatile anesthetics directly trigger nausea pathways, making them the primary PONV drivers.
Which factor is NOT included in the Apfel PONV risk score?
Answer: ASA physical status classification
The Apfel score includes female sex, non-smoking status, PONV/motion sickness history, and postoperative opioid use — not ASA classification.
What condition should be suspected when a PACU patient develops agitation, hypertension, and tachycardia simultaneously?
Answer: Inadequate pain control or emergence agitation
The triad of agitation, hypertension, and tachycardia in the PACU suggests inadequate analgesia or emergence agitation requiring prompt assessment and treatment.
What is the Aldrete score used to assess in the PACU?
Answer: Readiness for PACU discharge
The Aldrete score evaluates activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine PACU discharge readiness.
What is the primary concern with prolonged postoperative shivering in the PACU?
Answer: Significantly increased oxygen consumption by 200-300%
Postoperative shivering increases oxygen consumption by 200-300%, stressing cardiopulmonary reserves particularly in patients with limited reserve.