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PACU RN A V1 Exam WITH 300 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
PACU RN A V1 Exam – 300 Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers all core competency areas for the PACU RN A V1
assessment, including Phase I and Phase II recovery, airway management, hemodynamic
monitoring, pain management, postoperative complications, pharmacology, and discharge
criteria.
1. A post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse receives a patient after general anesthesia. What is
the FIRST priority assessment?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency
C) Surgical site
D) Urine output
Answer: B
Airway patency is always the first priority in PACU because anesthesia depresses respiratory
drive and protective reflexes.
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2. A patient in PACU is snoring loudly after extubation. What is the best initial action?
A) Apply oxygen
B) Insert an oral airway
C) Reposition head and neck
D) Suction the mouth
Answer: C
Snoring indicates partial airway obstruction; repositioning the head with a jaw thrust or head tilt
is the least invasive first step before escalating interventions.
3. Which sign is MOST concerning in a PACU patient?
A) Mild shivering
B) Oxygen saturation 95%
C) Respiratory rate 8/min
D) Pain score 6/10
Answer: C
Bradypnea indicates respiratory depression, often due to residual anesthesia or opioids, and
requires immediate intervention.
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4. The primary purpose of the PACU is:
A) To prepare patients for discharge home
B) To provide ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of patients
C) To administer postoperative medications
D) To monitor patients for 24 hours after surgery
Answer: B
The PACU provides ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of patients following anesthesia
and surgery.
5. Upon admission to the PACU, the patient must be placed on which monitoring equipment?
A) EKG, pulse oximetry, BP cuff, and oxygen
B) Only pulse oximetry and oxygen
C) EKG and BP cuff only
D) Capnography and pulse oximetry
Answer: A
Standard PACU admission includes EKG monitoring, pulse oximetry, blood pressure cuff, and
supplemental oxygen.
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6. Which phase of PACU care involves intense monitoring and preparing the patient for
discharge or transfer to an inpatient unit?
A) Phase I
B) Phase II
C) Phase III
D) Fast tracking
Answer: A
Phase I involves intense monitoring immediately following anesthesia, preparing the patient for
Phase II discharge or transfer to an inpatient unit.
7. What phase of PACU care involves preparing the patient for home, rehab facility, or Phase III?
A) Phase I
B) Phase II
C) Phase III
D) Preoperative phase
Answer: B
Phase II focuses on preparing the patient for Phase III, home, or a rehabilitation facility as the
patient becomes more stable.
4
SUCCESS!
PACU RN A V1 Exam WITH 300 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
PACU RN A V1 Exam – 300 Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers all core competency areas for the PACU RN A V1
assessment, including Phase I and Phase II recovery, airway management, hemodynamic
monitoring, pain management, postoperative complications, pharmacology, and discharge
criteria.
1. A post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse receives a patient after general anesthesia. What is
the FIRST priority assessment?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency
C) Surgical site
D) Urine output
Answer: B
Airway patency is always the first priority in PACU because anesthesia depresses respiratory
drive and protective reflexes.
1
SUCCESS!
,Page 2 of 153
2. A patient in PACU is snoring loudly after extubation. What is the best initial action?
A) Apply oxygen
B) Insert an oral airway
C) Reposition head and neck
D) Suction the mouth
Answer: C
Snoring indicates partial airway obstruction; repositioning the head with a jaw thrust or head tilt
is the least invasive first step before escalating interventions.
3. Which sign is MOST concerning in a PACU patient?
A) Mild shivering
B) Oxygen saturation 95%
C) Respiratory rate 8/min
D) Pain score 6/10
Answer: C
Bradypnea indicates respiratory depression, often due to residual anesthesia or opioids, and
requires immediate intervention.
2
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4. The primary purpose of the PACU is:
A) To prepare patients for discharge home
B) To provide ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of patients
C) To administer postoperative medications
D) To monitor patients for 24 hours after surgery
Answer: B
The PACU provides ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of patients following anesthesia
and surgery.
5. Upon admission to the PACU, the patient must be placed on which monitoring equipment?
A) EKG, pulse oximetry, BP cuff, and oxygen
B) Only pulse oximetry and oxygen
C) EKG and BP cuff only
D) Capnography and pulse oximetry
Answer: A
Standard PACU admission includes EKG monitoring, pulse oximetry, blood pressure cuff, and
supplemental oxygen.
3
SUCCESS!
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6. Which phase of PACU care involves intense monitoring and preparing the patient for
discharge or transfer to an inpatient unit?
A) Phase I
B) Phase II
C) Phase III
D) Fast tracking
Answer: A
Phase I involves intense monitoring immediately following anesthesia, preparing the patient for
Phase II discharge or transfer to an inpatient unit.
7. What phase of PACU care involves preparing the patient for home, rehab facility, or Phase III?
A) Phase I
B) Phase II
C) Phase III
D) Preoperative phase
Answer: B
Phase II focuses on preparing the patient for Phase III, home, or a rehabilitation facility as the
patient becomes more stable.
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SUCCESS!
