Question 1

A patient who has begun to awaken after 30 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)is restless and shouting at the nurse. The patient's oxygen saturation is 96%,and recent laboratory results are all normal. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) Increase the IV fluid rate. 
B) Assess for bladder distention. 
C) Notify the anesthesia care provider (ACP). 
D) Demonstrate the use of the nurse call bell button.

Question 2

In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU),a patient's vital signs are blood pressure 116/72 mm Hg,pulse 74 beats/min,respirations 12 breaths/min,and SpO? 91%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

A) Place the patient in a side-lying position. 
B) Encourage the patient to take deep breaths. 
C) Prepare to transfer the patient to a clinical unit. 
D) Increase the rate of the postoperative IV fluids.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient the first postoperative day following a laparotomy for a small bowel obstruction. The nurse notices new bright-red drainage about 5 cm in diameter on the dressing. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

A) Reinforce the dressing. 
B) Apply an abdominal binder. 
C) Take the patient's vital signs. 
D) Recheck the dressing in 1 hour.

Question 4

The nurse working in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)notes that a patient who has just been transported from the operating room is shivering and has a temperature of 96.5° F (35.8° C). Which action should the nurse take next?

Accepted Answer

A) Notify the anesthesia care provider. 
B) Cover the patient with a warm blanket. 
C) Avoid giving opioid analgesics until the patient is warmer. 
D) Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg suppository rectally.

Question 5

The nurse assesses that the oxygen saturation is 89% in an unconscious patient who was transferred from surgery to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)15 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

A) Suction the patient's mouth. 
B) Increase the oxygen flow rate. 
C) Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver. 
D) Elevate the patient's head on two pillows.

Exam 19: Postoperative Care

A patient who has begun to awaken after 30 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) is restless and shouting at the nurse. The patient's oxygen saturation is 96%,and recent laboratory results are all normal. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) ,a patient's vital signs are blood pressure 116/72 mm Hg,pulse 74 beats/min,respirations 12 breaths/min,and SpO? 91%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily. Which action should the nurse take first?

The nurse is caring for a patient the first postoperative day following a laparotomy for a small bowel obstruction. The nurse notices new bright-red drainage about 5 cm in diameter on the dressing. Which action should the nurse take first?

The nurse working in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) notes that a patient who has just been transported from the operating room is shivering and has a temperature of 96.5° F (35.8° C) . Which action should the nurse take next?

The nurse assesses that the oxygen saturation is 89% in an unconscious patient who was transferred from surgery to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 15 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first?