Prophecy: PACU UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
A patient that received IV sedation for an arthroscopy has met discharge criteria and is ready to
go home. The patient states he has no designated driver to go home. What is the nurse's primary
priority? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: notify MD
POS: tell pt he can't leave until pt has a driver
POS: assist pt in finding a driver
You have just received report on Patient A and Patient B. Patient A is intubated, sedated, and on a
vasoactive infusion to keep their BP greater than 110 mmHg systolic on an arterial line. Patient B
was extubated an hour ago and has scheduled glucose check due in 1 hr. What is your priority
action? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: perform square wave test
POS: assess pt B's respiratory status
POS: Check Pt A's vent settings
Your patient had an unplanned self-extubation. They are now alert and sitting up. Their pulse
oximetry is 98% on 4 liters face mask. What action should you prioritize? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: performing STAT ABG
POS: check BP and HR
POS: inspect oral cavity
Your patient has a right chest tube that was placed after thoracotomy. They report that it is very
painful when they cough and request cough medicine. What should you do? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: administer cough medicine
POS: teach pt how to splint right side when coughing
Your patient was intubated but still has oral medications on their list of medications. How should
you ensure they receive their medications? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: request to
insert NGT
POS: request provider to update route of administration
, You are caring for an underweight, older adult who is intubated, sedated, and septic. You have
implemented turning every 2 hours. While inspecting the patient's back, you notice bony
prominences with intact but reddened skin. What should you include in the plan of care? -
CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: document presence of pressure injury
POS: specialized air bed?
What MUST you confirm before removing a cervical spine collar? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: airway is patent
Order from MD?
You are admitting a patient who is sedated and intubated directly from the operating room after a
major surgery. The anesthesia provider connects the patient to the ventilator in the ICU room and
leaves before entering orders for the patient's ventilator settings. How should you proceed? -
CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: Call the OR and speak to the anesthesia provider
POS: contact the ICU intensivist assigned to the case
Your patient has just completed IV potassium replacement. When should you collect their repeat
potassium level? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: 4-8 hrs
POS: 30-60min
When assessing for fever in your intubated patient, placement of the thermometer in which area
would be most accurate? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: oral/rectal
POS: pulmonary artery/bladder
An intubated patient with a GCS of 3 is admitted to the ICU from the ER after being found down
for an unknown amount of time. The CT scan reveals profuse cerebral edema. When is the best
time to notify organ donation services? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: after the physician
speaks with the family
POS: within 24 hours of admission to ICU
Your patient is receiving an antiarrhythmic agent. Which of the following assessment parameters
is the most important for you to evaluate? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: blood pressure
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
A patient that received IV sedation for an arthroscopy has met discharge criteria and is ready to
go home. The patient states he has no designated driver to go home. What is the nurse's primary
priority? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: notify MD
POS: tell pt he can't leave until pt has a driver
POS: assist pt in finding a driver
You have just received report on Patient A and Patient B. Patient A is intubated, sedated, and on a
vasoactive infusion to keep their BP greater than 110 mmHg systolic on an arterial line. Patient B
was extubated an hour ago and has scheduled glucose check due in 1 hr. What is your priority
action? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: perform square wave test
POS: assess pt B's respiratory status
POS: Check Pt A's vent settings
Your patient had an unplanned self-extubation. They are now alert and sitting up. Their pulse
oximetry is 98% on 4 liters face mask. What action should you prioritize? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: performing STAT ABG
POS: check BP and HR
POS: inspect oral cavity
Your patient has a right chest tube that was placed after thoracotomy. They report that it is very
painful when they cough and request cough medicine. What should you do? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: administer cough medicine
POS: teach pt how to splint right side when coughing
Your patient was intubated but still has oral medications on their list of medications. How should
you ensure they receive their medications? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: request to
insert NGT
POS: request provider to update route of administration
, You are caring for an underweight, older adult who is intubated, sedated, and septic. You have
implemented turning every 2 hours. While inspecting the patient's back, you notice bony
prominences with intact but reddened skin. What should you include in the plan of care? -
CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: document presence of pressure injury
POS: specialized air bed?
What MUST you confirm before removing a cervical spine collar? - CORRECT
ANSWER - NOT: airway is patent
Order from MD?
You are admitting a patient who is sedated and intubated directly from the operating room after a
major surgery. The anesthesia provider connects the patient to the ventilator in the ICU room and
leaves before entering orders for the patient's ventilator settings. How should you proceed? -
CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: Call the OR and speak to the anesthesia provider
POS: contact the ICU intensivist assigned to the case
Your patient has just completed IV potassium replacement. When should you collect their repeat
potassium level? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: 4-8 hrs
POS: 30-60min
When assessing for fever in your intubated patient, placement of the thermometer in which area
would be most accurate? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: oral/rectal
POS: pulmonary artery/bladder
An intubated patient with a GCS of 3 is admitted to the ICU from the ER after being found down
for an unknown amount of time. The CT scan reveals profuse cerebral edema. When is the best
time to notify organ donation services? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: after the physician
speaks with the family
POS: within 24 hours of admission to ICU
Your patient is receiving an antiarrhythmic agent. Which of the following assessment parameters
is the most important for you to evaluate? - CORRECT ANSWER - NOT: blood pressure
