PACU (Nursing 2) Exam Questions and 100% correct answers 2024

PACU stands for: - -post-anesthesia care unit The primary purpose of the PACU is: - -ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of pt. Upon admission, the pt must be: - -placed on/with EKG, pulse ox, BP cuff, and oxygen When a pt arrives in PACU, the ___ gives report. - -CRNA/Anesth. Phase 1: - -Intense monitoring, preparing pt for d/c or inpatient unit Phase 2: - -Preparing pt for Phase III, home, or rehab facility Phase 3: - -Preparing pt for self care, observation, rehab Fast tracking: - -Pt admitted to PACU after local or regional anesthesia Intraoperative management while giving admission report: - -what anesthesia was used, meds given, EBL, fluid replacement totals, urine output Intraoperative course while giving admission report: - -unexpected anesthetic events/reactions, VS, monitoring trends, lab results PACU assessment priority: - -Adequacy of airway (rate, rhythm, accessory muscles, breath sounds, O2 sat) Pts at higher risk in PACU: - -those that received general, elderly, smokers/lung disease, obese, pts that went under thoracic/airway/abd surgery Obese pts are at a higher risk in PACU due to: - -adipose tissue absorbing anesthesia and slowly releasing over time, they're harder to wake Reasons for airway obstruction: - -blockage (usually tongue), supine position, extremely sleepiness, laryngospasm (throat close), retained secretions, laryngeal edema (from neck surgery) The most common cause of postop hypoxemia: - -atelectasis Atelectasis: - -complete or partial lung collapse, may result from retained secretions Assessing cardio status: - -EKG monitoring, VS q15m, peripheral vascular assessment Assessing neurology: - -LOC, orientation, sensory/motor status, pupil equality/size The main info that's helpful in assessing a patient is knowing their: - -baseline vitals/labs A pt in PACU should be voiding at least: - -30 mL/hr When a pt is waking, their first sense to return is: - -hearing You should orient the pt waking up by: - -explaining the surgery is over, location of pt, family/friend is notified, RN's name Discharge criteria: - -awake, VS stable, no excessive bleeding/draining, no resp depression, pulse ox < 90%, report given S/S of pulmonary embolism: - -SOA, rapid pulse, cold sweat, anxious, sudden panic Homan's sign: - -when a pt flexes their feet and it causes deep pain in their leg DVT's are a huge risk because: - -the clot can travel to the lungs, heart, or brain Notify HCP if pt experiences: - -Systolic <90 or >160, pulse <90 or >120, BP gradually increases, irregular cardiac rhythm