Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the primary focus of post-anesthesia care?
Which of the following is the primary focus of post-anesthesia care?
- Maintaining a patent airway (correct)
- Preventing infection
- Promoting early ambulation
- Monitoring laboratory values
Which assessment finding indicates airway obstruction in a post-operative patient?
Which assessment finding indicates airway obstruction in a post-operative patient?
- Stridor or use of accessory muscles (correct)
- Oxygen saturation of 98%
- Equal breath sounds bilaterally
- Symmetric chest expansion
Which scoring system is used to determine if a patient is ready for discharge from PACU?
Which scoring system is used to determine if a patient is ready for discharge from PACU?
- Braden Scale
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Aldrete Score (correct)
- Morse Fall Scale
What is the primary cause of hypothermia in post-anesthesia patients?
What is the primary cause of hypothermia in post-anesthesia patients?
Why is frequent orientation necessary for a post-anesthesia patient?
Why is frequent orientation necessary for a post-anesthesia patient?
A post-operative patient reports nausea. Which action should the nurse take first?
A post-operative patient reports nausea. Which action should the nurse take first?
A patient in PACU has a BP of 85/50 mmHg, HR of 120, and cool, clammy skin. What is the nurse's priority action?
A patient in PACU has a BP of 85/50 mmHg, HR of 120, and cool, clammy skin. What is the nurse's priority action?
Which findings indicate that a patient is at risk for post-operative respiratory complications? (SATA)
Which findings indicate that a patient is at risk for post-operative respiratory complications? (SATA)
Which of the following interventions help prevent aspiration in PACU? (SATA)
Which of the following interventions help prevent aspiration in PACU? (SATA)
A nurse evaluates a PACU patient's pain management. Which finding suggests ineffective pain control?
A nurse evaluates a PACU patient's pain management. Which finding suggests ineffective pain control?
A patient in PACU is experiencing shivering. What interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is experiencing shivering. What interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient from PACU. Which criteria must be met before discharge? (SATA)
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient from PACU. Which criteria must be met before discharge? (SATA)
Which of the following is the most common post-anesthesia complication?
Which of the following is the most common post-anesthesia complication?
Which of the following medications is commonly used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Which of the following medications is commonly used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
What is the primary function of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) in PACU?
What is the primary function of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) in PACU?
Which of the following statements indicates correct patient teaching regarding postanesthesia nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
Which of the following statements indicates correct patient teaching regarding postanesthesia nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
Which of the following post-operative patients is at highest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Which of the following post-operative patients is at highest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A post-operative patient is experiencing hypotension and a decreased urine output. What is the priority action?
A post-operative patient is experiencing hypotension and a decreased urine output. What is the priority action?
A patient in PACU has an SpO2 of 88% despite oxygen therapy. What should the nurse do first?
A patient in PACU has an SpO2 of 88% despite oxygen therapy. What should the nurse do first?
Which intervention best prevents post-operative pneumonia?
Which intervention best prevents post-operative pneumonia?
Which findings indicate inadequate pain control in a post-anesthesia patient? (SATA)
Which findings indicate inadequate pain control in a post-anesthesia patient? (SATA)
Which patient assessment finding requires immediate intervention in PACU?
Which patient assessment finding requires immediate intervention in PACU?
A PACU patient on a PCA pump reports nausea and dizziness. What should the nurse evaluate first?
A PACU patient on a PCA pump reports nausea and dizziness. What should the nurse evaluate first?
A patient who underwent abdominal surgery is reluctant to cough and deep breathe. What should the nurse do?
A patient who underwent abdominal surgery is reluctant to cough and deep breathe. What should the nurse do?
Which interventions are essential for preventing post-operative hypoxia? (SATA)
Which interventions are essential for preventing post-operative hypoxia? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is restless, tachycardic, and has decreased urine output. What actions should the nurse take? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is restless, tachycardic, and has decreased urine output. What actions should the nurse take? (SATA)
A post-operative patient is shivering. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
A post-operative patient is shivering. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Aldrete Score?
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Aldrete Score?
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize for a post-operative patient with a PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia) pump?
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize for a post-operative patient with a PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia) pump?
A nurse is caring for a patient in PACU who is drowsy but responds to verbal stimuli. The patient's oxygen saturation is 91% on room air. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A nurse is caring for a patient in PACU who is drowsy but responds to verbal stimuli. The patient's oxygen saturation is 91% on room air. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A nurse is reviewing post-operative vital signs. Which of the following findings suggest early signs of hemorrhage? (SATA)
A nurse is reviewing post-operative vital signs. Which of the following findings suggest early signs of hemorrhage? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is experiencing nausea and vomiting after surgery. The nurse administers ondansetron. Which finding indicates the medication has been effective?
A patient in PACU is experiencing nausea and vomiting after surgery. The nurse administers ondansetron. Which finding indicates the medication has been effective?
A nurse is developing a care plan for a post-anesthesia patient at risk for aspiration. Which interventions should be included? (SATA)
A nurse is developing a care plan for a post-anesthesia patient at risk for aspiration. Which interventions should be included? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is at risk for post-operative delirium. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
A patient in PACU is at risk for post-operative delirium. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (SATA)
A nurse is planning discharge education for a patient after general anesthesia. Which instructions should be included? (SATA)
A nurse is planning discharge education for a patient after general anesthesia. Which instructions should be included? (SATA)
Flashcards
Primary focus of post-anesthesia care?
Primary focus of post-anesthesia care?
Airway management is highest priority to prevent airway obstruction and hypoxia.
Airway obstruction assessment finding?
Airway obstruction assessment finding?
Stridor or use of accessory muscles indicates partial airway obstruction.
Scoring system for PACU discharge?
Scoring system for PACU discharge?
The Aldrete Score assesses activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation.
Primary cause of post-anesthesia hypothermia?
Primary cause of post-anesthesia hypothermia?
Anesthesia impairs thermoregulation, and the cool OR environment increases heat loss.
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Why frequent orientation in PACU?
Why frequent orientation in PACU?
Post-operative patients may experience confusion due to anesthesia.
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First action for post-op nausea patient?
First action for post-op nausea patient?
Positioning helps prevent aspiration.
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Priority with low BP/high HR in PACU?
Priority with low BP/high HR in PACU?
Hypotension and tachycardia suggest hypovolemia, requiring fluid resuscitation.
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Risks for respiratory complications?
Risks for respiratory complications?
These factors impair respiratory function and increase the risk of complications such as atelectasis and hypoxia.
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Interventions to prevent aspiration?
Interventions to prevent aspiration?
These measures prevent aspiration by ensuring airway protection and reducing nausea.
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Suggests ineffective pain control?
Suggests ineffective pain control?
Non-verbal cues indicate uncontrolled pain.
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Interventions for shivering?
Interventions for shivering?
Hypothermia-related shivering can be managed with warming measures and medications.
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PACU discharge criteria?
PACU discharge criteria?
These criteria ensure that the patient is stable for transfer to the medical-surgical unit.
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Most common post-anesthesia complication?
Most common post-anesthesia complication?
Anesthesia and opioid medications can depress respiratory function.
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Medication to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Medication to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by opioids.
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Primary function of oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
Primary function of oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
An OPA keeps the tongue from occluding the airway in patients who are not fully awake.
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- Post-anesthesia care prioritizes airway management to prevent obstruction and hypoxia.
- Stridor or accessory muscle use indicates partial airway obstruction requiring immediate intervention.
- Aldrete Score assesses activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine readiness for discharge from PACU.
- Prolonged exposure to a cold operating room is a primary cause of hypothermia in post-anesthesia patients because anesthesia impairs thermoregulation, and the cool OR increases heat loss.
- Frequent reorientation prevents post-operative delirium because post-operative patients may experience confusion due to anesthesia, and frequent reorientation reduces anxiety and delirium risk.
- For a post-operative patient reporting nausea, positioning the patient in a side-lying position helps prevent aspiration, which is a priority before administering medications.
- For a patient in PACU with a BP of 85/50 mmHg, HR of 120, and cool, clammy skin, increasing IV fluid rate per protocol is the nurse's priority action because hypotension and tachycardia suggest hypovolemia, requiring fluid resuscitation.
- Factors such as obesity, smoking history, prolonged anesthesia, and age over 65 impair respiratory function and increase the risk of complications such as atelectasis and hypoxia.
- Interventions as keeping the head of the bed elevated, monitoring for gag reflex return, administering antiemetics, and as keeping the patient NPO until fully awake prevent aspiration by ensuring airway protection and reducing nausea.
- Restlessness and grimacing suggest ineffective pain control because non-verbal cues such as restlessness and facial expressions indicate uncontrolled pain.
- Interventions should be implemented for a patient in PACU who is experiencing shivering such as, applying warm blankets, administering meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed, and assessing the patient's temperature, hypothermia-related shivering can be managed with warming measures and medications.
- Criteria must be met before discharging a patient from PACU, adequate pain control, oxygen saturation > 90%, stable vital signs, and Aldrete Score ≥ 9, these criteria ensure that the patient is stable for transfer to the medical-surgical unit.
- Respiratory depression is the most common post-anesthesia complication because anesthesia and opioid medications can depress respiratory function.
- Naloxone (Narcan) is commonly used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression because it is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by opioids.
- The primary function of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) in PACU is to prevent airway obstruction in an unconscious patient because an OPA keeps the tongue from occluding the airway in patients who are not fully awake.
- "Certain anesthetic agents increase the risk of nausea", indicates correct patient teaching regarding post-anesthesia nausea, some anesthetics, opioids, and motion-related procedures increase the risk of nausea and vomiting.
- A 50-year-old post-total knee replacement is at highest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) because orthopedic surgeries, especially on lower extremities, significantly increase the risk of DVT.
- For a post-operative patient experiencing hypotension and decreased urine output, increasing IV fluids per protocol becausethese indicate potential hypovolemia, requiring fluid resuscitation.
- For a patient in PACU who has an SpO2 of 88% despite oxygen therapy, reassess the airway for obstruction as airway obstruction is a common post-anesthesia complication, and securing the airway is the priority intervention.
- Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer best prevent post-operative pneumonia because an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis and pneumonia by promoting lung expansion.
- Increased heart rate, diaphoresis, facial grimacing indicate inadequate pain control in a post-anesthesia patient because pain triggers the sympathetic nervous system, leading to tachycardia, sweating, and observable discomfort.
- A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute requires immediate intervention in PACU because a significantly decreased respiratory rate suggests opioid-induced respiratory depression or airway compromise.
- Blood pressure should be evaluated first for a PACU patient on a PCA pump reports nausea and dizziness because opioids can cause hypotension, leading to dizziness and nausea.
- The nurse should encourage the use of a splinting pillow when dealing with a patient who underwent abdominal surgery is reluctant to cough and deep breathe, splinting helps reduce pain while coughing, promoting deep breathing and preventing complications.
- Maintaining adequate pain control, encouraging early ambulation, administering oxygen as prescribed, monitoring respiratory status regularly is the process for preventing post-operative hypoxia.
- Assess for signs of hemorrhage, increase IV fluid rate, check the patient's blood pressure, monitor urine output hourly helps with a patient in PACU who is restless, tachycardic, and has decreased urine output, because these signs possibly indicate hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate fluid resuscitation and monitoring.
- Interventions that should be implemented when dealing with post-operative patient is shivering, apply warm blankets, administer meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed, increase room temperature, assess for hypothermia because these interventions help manage post-anesthesia shivering and prevent further temperature loss.
- The Aldrete Score determines readiness for PACU discharge because the Aldrete Score evaluates activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine if a patient is stable enough for transfer.
- The nurse should prioritize for a post-operative patient with a PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia) pump by assessing the patient's respiratory status frequently because PCA pumps deliver opioids, which can cause respiratory depression; close monitoring is essential.
- The most appropriate nursing action is a nurse is caring for a patient in PACU who is drowsy but responds to verbal stimuli such, apply oxygen via nasal cannula as mild hypoxia (SpO2 91%) can be corrected with supplemental oxygen, especially in post-anesthesia patients.
- When a nurse is reviewing post-operative vital signs, early sign of hemorrhage is increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, decreased urine output, increased respiratory rate because early hemorrhage causes tachycardia, hypotension, oliguria, and increased respiratory effort as the body compensates for blood loss.
- The medication of ondansetron has been effective after surgery when the patient reports decreased nausea because ondansetron is an antiemetic, and its effectiveness is determined by the patient's symptom relief.
- When developing a care plan for a post-anesthesia patient at risk for aspiration in a care plan, keep the head of the bed elevated, maintain the patient in a side-lying position if drowsy, monitor for return of gag reflex before offering fluids, keep the patient NPO until fully awake: These measures prevent aspiration in patients recovering from anesthesia.
- A patient in PACU who is at risk for post-operative delirium: reorient the patient frequently, minimize excessive noise and stimuli, ensure the patient is hydrated, encourage early ambulation because delirium can be reduced by frequent reorientation, a calm environment, hydration, and mobility.
- When planning discharge education for a patient after general anesthesia avoid driving for at least 24 hours, monitor for signs of infection, refrain from making important decisions for 24 hours, expect some drowsiness and dizziness because anesthesia can cause drowsiness and cognitive impairment, requiring restrictions on driving and decision-making.
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