Postoperative Care and PACU Management
in Surgical Patients Exam Questions and
Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest
Updated 2026
What is the postoperative period? The time that begins immediately after
surgery.
What is the purpose of the PACU? To provide immediate postoperative care
and
maintain patient safety.
What is the focus of nursing care To maintain patient safety and identify
in actual and
the PACU? potential patient problems.
What does 'fast tracking' in PACU Admitting ambulatory surgery patients
refer to? directly to
Phase II.
What is the primary determinant of Patient safety.
the level of care in PACU?
What is the focus of nursing care Immediate postoperative care and initial
during the initial recovery period in assessment of ABCs.
PACU?
, What equipment is required in Artificial airways, ventilators, oxygen
Phase delivery
I of PACU? systems, pulse oximeters, and ECG
monitors.
What vital signs and trends should Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory
be monitored in PACU? rate, and
oxygen saturation.
What information should be Patient name, age, surgeon, surgical
included procedure,
in the PACU admission report? medical history, and intraoperative events.
What are some common Airway patency, breathing quality,
postoperative assessments circulation,
performed in PACU? neurologic status, and surgical site
condition.
What are potential postoperative Airway obstruction, hypoxemia,
respiratory complications? atelectasis,
pulmonary edema, and aspiration.
What nursing interventions can Proper positioning, oxygen therapy,
prevent respiratory complications? coughing and
deep breathing, and early mobilization.
What cardiovascular complications Hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias,
can occur postoperatively? and
venous thromboembolism (VTE).
in Surgical Patients Exam Questions and
Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest
Updated 2026
What is the postoperative period? The time that begins immediately after
surgery.
What is the purpose of the PACU? To provide immediate postoperative care
and
maintain patient safety.
What is the focus of nursing care To maintain patient safety and identify
in actual and
the PACU? potential patient problems.
What does 'fast tracking' in PACU Admitting ambulatory surgery patients
refer to? directly to
Phase II.
What is the primary determinant of Patient safety.
the level of care in PACU?
What is the focus of nursing care Immediate postoperative care and initial
during the initial recovery period in assessment of ABCs.
PACU?
, What equipment is required in Artificial airways, ventilators, oxygen
Phase delivery
I of PACU? systems, pulse oximeters, and ECG
monitors.
What vital signs and trends should Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory
be monitored in PACU? rate, and
oxygen saturation.
What information should be Patient name, age, surgeon, surgical
included procedure,
in the PACU admission report? medical history, and intraoperative events.
What are some common Airway patency, breathing quality,
postoperative assessments circulation,
performed in PACU? neurologic status, and surgical site
condition.
What are potential postoperative Airway obstruction, hypoxemia,
respiratory complications? atelectasis,
pulmonary edema, and aspiration.
What nursing interventions can Proper positioning, oxygen therapy,
prevent respiratory complications? coughing and
deep breathing, and early mobilization.
What cardiovascular complications Hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias,
can occur postoperatively? and
venous thromboembolism (VTE).
