POST-OP CARE NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST 2024 VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
1.A 67-year-old male pa�ent is admited to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) a�er abdominal surgery.
Which assessment, if made by the nurse, is the best indicator of respiratory depression?
Increased respiratory rate
Decreased oxygen satura�on
Increased carbon dioxide pressure
Frequent premature ventricular contrac�ons (PVCs) - ansIncreased carbon dioxide pressure
Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (PtcCO2) monitoring is a sensi�ve indicator of respiratory
depression. Increased CO2 pressures would indicate respiratory depression. Clinical manifesta�ons of
inadequate oxygena�on include increased respiratory rate, dysrhythmias (e.g., premature ventricular
contrac�ons), and decreased oxygen satura�on.
1.Unless contraindicated by the surgical procedure, which posi�on is preferred for the unconscious
pa�ent immediately postopera�ve?
Supine
Lateral
Semi-Fowler's
High-Fowler's - ansLateral
10.The pa�ent had surgery at an ambulatory surgery center. Which criteria support that this pa�ent is
ready for discharge (select all that apply)?
Vital signs baseline or stable
Minimal nausea and vomi�ng
Wants to go to the bathroom at home
Responsible adult taking pa�ent home
Comfortable a�er IV opioid 15 minutes ago - ansVital signs baseline or stable
, POST-OP CARE NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST 2024 VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
Minimal nausea and vomi�ng
Responsible adult taking pa�ent home
Ambulatory surgery discharge criteria includes mee�ng Phase I PACU discharge criteria that includes vital
signs baseline or stable and minimal nausea and vomi�ng. Phase II criteria includes a responsible adult
driving pa�ent, no IV opioid drugs for last 30 minutes, able to void, able to ambulate if not
contraindicated, and received writen discharge instruc�on with pa�ent understanding confirmed.
11.A pa�ent is having elec�ve cosme�c surgery performed on her face. The surgeon will keep her at the
surgery center for 24 hours a�er surgery. What is the nurse's postopera�ve priority for this pa�ent?
Manage pa�ent pain.
Control the bleeding.
Maintain fluid balance.
Manage oxygena�on status. - ansManage oxygena�on status.
The nurse's priority is to manage the pa�ent's oxygena�on status by maintaining an airway and
ven�la�on. With surgery on the face, there may be swelling that could compromise her ability to
breathe. Pain, bleeding, and fluid imbalance from the surgery may increase her risk for upper airway
edema causing airway obstruc�on and respiratory suppression, which also indicate managing
oxygena�on status as the priority.
2. The nurse is working on a surgical floor and is preparing to receive a postopera�ve pa�ent from the
postanesthesia care unit (PACU). What should the nurse's ini�al ac�on be upon the pa�ent's arrival?
Assess the pa�ent's pain.
Assess the pa�ent's vital signs.
Check the rate of the IV infusion.
Check the physician's postopera�ve orders. - ansAssess the pa�ent's vital signs.
LATEST 2024 VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
1.A 67-year-old male pa�ent is admited to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) a�er abdominal surgery.
Which assessment, if made by the nurse, is the best indicator of respiratory depression?
Increased respiratory rate
Decreased oxygen satura�on
Increased carbon dioxide pressure
Frequent premature ventricular contrac�ons (PVCs) - ansIncreased carbon dioxide pressure
Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (PtcCO2) monitoring is a sensi�ve indicator of respiratory
depression. Increased CO2 pressures would indicate respiratory depression. Clinical manifesta�ons of
inadequate oxygena�on include increased respiratory rate, dysrhythmias (e.g., premature ventricular
contrac�ons), and decreased oxygen satura�on.
1.Unless contraindicated by the surgical procedure, which posi�on is preferred for the unconscious
pa�ent immediately postopera�ve?
Supine
Lateral
Semi-Fowler's
High-Fowler's - ansLateral
10.The pa�ent had surgery at an ambulatory surgery center. Which criteria support that this pa�ent is
ready for discharge (select all that apply)?
Vital signs baseline or stable
Minimal nausea and vomi�ng
Wants to go to the bathroom at home
Responsible adult taking pa�ent home
Comfortable a�er IV opioid 15 minutes ago - ansVital signs baseline or stable
, POST-OP CARE NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST 2024 VERSION VERIFIED RATIONALE
GRADED A+
Minimal nausea and vomi�ng
Responsible adult taking pa�ent home
Ambulatory surgery discharge criteria includes mee�ng Phase I PACU discharge criteria that includes vital
signs baseline or stable and minimal nausea and vomi�ng. Phase II criteria includes a responsible adult
driving pa�ent, no IV opioid drugs for last 30 minutes, able to void, able to ambulate if not
contraindicated, and received writen discharge instruc�on with pa�ent understanding confirmed.
11.A pa�ent is having elec�ve cosme�c surgery performed on her face. The surgeon will keep her at the
surgery center for 24 hours a�er surgery. What is the nurse's postopera�ve priority for this pa�ent?
Manage pa�ent pain.
Control the bleeding.
Maintain fluid balance.
Manage oxygena�on status. - ansManage oxygena�on status.
The nurse's priority is to manage the pa�ent's oxygena�on status by maintaining an airway and
ven�la�on. With surgery on the face, there may be swelling that could compromise her ability to
breathe. Pain, bleeding, and fluid imbalance from the surgery may increase her risk for upper airway
edema causing airway obstruc�on and respiratory suppression, which also indicate managing
oxygena�on status as the priority.
2. The nurse is working on a surgical floor and is preparing to receive a postopera�ve pa�ent from the
postanesthesia care unit (PACU). What should the nurse's ini�al ac�on be upon the pa�ent's arrival?
Assess the pa�ent's pain.
Assess the pa�ent's vital signs.
Check the rate of the IV infusion.
Check the physician's postopera�ve orders. - ansAssess the pa�ent's vital signs.
