PACU Exam Questions and Answers with
Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What does the level of care Type/approach of sx, type of of
postoperatively depend on? anesthesia,
intraoperative course of events, &
pre-existing
comorbidities/evolving comorbidities
What's the goal of phase 1 Critical assessment & stabilization of pts
recovery? after
anesthesia with emphasis on detection &
prevention of complications. Goal: to
provide
immediate post anesthesia care &
transition the pt
to ICU, inpatient care, or phase 2
outpatient care
What does the cost of PACU care Staffing costs-RN staffing highest direct
depend on? PACU
cost. Overall personnel cost per admission
determined by: mix of RN staff, experience
of RN,
staffing rations, complexity & duration of
PACU
stay. Hardware (resource utilization),
depends on
acuity mix-need for ventilators, additional
monitors,
IV pumps, PCA pumps
,Economic goals of PACU? To optimize clinical results while
minimizing
expenditures by using innovative PACU
practices
that guarantee safe care, reduce cost and
fulfill
regulatory and institutional requirements.
Using the
appropriate level of PACU care can reduce
surgical procedure costs and allow for
scarce
PACU resources to be directed to patients
with
greater needs
What is phase 1 recovery? more intense, requires 1:1 staffing
What is phase 2 recovery? Less intense and appropriate for patients
after less
invasive
procedures, require less nursing attention
What is PACU bypass/direct For more intensive procedures and pts
admission? with greater
acuity. Going to icu-must be trained to care
for
immediate postop pts & meet PACU
standards
What are the immediate priorities Evaluation of respiratory & circulatory
on status. Pt
arrival to PACU? safety
, What is included in resp/ventilatory Pulse ox, ventilation rate & quality, signs of
monitors and assessment in resp
PACU? compromise, airway patency
What is included in ECG monitor, assess rate & rhythm,
cardiocirculatory assess for
monitors and assessment in deviation from preoperative or
PACU? perioperative
findings. BP invasive/noninvasive
Any evidence of respiratory, Anesthesia provider
ventilatory, or cardiocirculatory
compromise
requires immediate intervention by
who?
What is included in the PACU Temp, LOC, mental status, neuromuscular
handover? function,
hydration status, degree of nausea,
capnography
for pts being mechanically ventilated,
transduction
of invasive monitors, & dx testing only for
specific
indications or designed recovery period
How often should VS be monitored q5min for first 15 min, then every 15 min
in PACU? afterward
Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What does the level of care Type/approach of sx, type of of
postoperatively depend on? anesthesia,
intraoperative course of events, &
pre-existing
comorbidities/evolving comorbidities
What's the goal of phase 1 Critical assessment & stabilization of pts
recovery? after
anesthesia with emphasis on detection &
prevention of complications. Goal: to
provide
immediate post anesthesia care &
transition the pt
to ICU, inpatient care, or phase 2
outpatient care
What does the cost of PACU care Staffing costs-RN staffing highest direct
depend on? PACU
cost. Overall personnel cost per admission
determined by: mix of RN staff, experience
of RN,
staffing rations, complexity & duration of
PACU
stay. Hardware (resource utilization),
depends on
acuity mix-need for ventilators, additional
monitors,
IV pumps, PCA pumps
,Economic goals of PACU? To optimize clinical results while
minimizing
expenditures by using innovative PACU
practices
that guarantee safe care, reduce cost and
fulfill
regulatory and institutional requirements.
Using the
appropriate level of PACU care can reduce
surgical procedure costs and allow for
scarce
PACU resources to be directed to patients
with
greater needs
What is phase 1 recovery? more intense, requires 1:1 staffing
What is phase 2 recovery? Less intense and appropriate for patients
after less
invasive
procedures, require less nursing attention
What is PACU bypass/direct For more intensive procedures and pts
admission? with greater
acuity. Going to icu-must be trained to care
for
immediate postop pts & meet PACU
standards
What are the immediate priorities Evaluation of respiratory & circulatory
on status. Pt
arrival to PACU? safety
, What is included in resp/ventilatory Pulse ox, ventilation rate & quality, signs of
monitors and assessment in resp
PACU? compromise, airway patency
What is included in ECG monitor, assess rate & rhythm,
cardiocirculatory assess for
monitors and assessment in deviation from preoperative or
PACU? perioperative
findings. BP invasive/noninvasive
Any evidence of respiratory, Anesthesia provider
ventilatory, or cardiocirculatory
compromise
requires immediate intervention by
who?
What is included in the PACU Temp, LOC, mental status, neuromuscular
handover? function,
hydration status, degree of nausea,
capnography
for pts being mechanically ventilated,
transduction
of invasive monitors, & dx testing only for
specific
indications or designed recovery period
How often should VS be monitored q5min for first 15 min, then every 15 min
in PACU? afterward
