1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
An 82-year-old patient with multiple chronic illnesses is scheduled for surgery. What major
concern should be addressed during risk screening?
Assessment of frailty, functional status, cognitive function, and overall physiologic reserve
because chronological age alone does not fully predict risk.
ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, and ______.
Circulation.
ABG testing provides direct measurement of blood ______ levels.
Gas.
Abnormal heart rhythms are known as ______.
Arrhythmias.
Abrupt discontinuation of certain psychiatric medications may lead to ______ symptoms.
Withdrawal.
Accurate medication ______ creates a legal and clinical record of care provided.
Documentation.
Acetaminophen is considered a ______-opioid analgesic.
Non.
Adequate tissue ______ is the ultimate goal of cardiovascular function.
Perfusion.
The administration of anesthetic agents into cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid space
is called ______ anesthesia.
Spinal anesthesia.
Advanced ______ is one of the strongest predictors of increased perioperative morbidity and
mortality.
Age.
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,1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Advanced monitoring provides more detailed physiologic ______ than standard bedside
monitoring.
Data.
Advanced monitoring replaces direct patient assessment. Explain.
False. Monitoring supplements but never replaces comprehensive clinical evaluation and
judgment.
Age alone determines whether a patient is a suitable surgical candidate. Explain.
False. Functional status, comorbidities, physiologic reserve, and surgical urgency are often
more important than age alone.
Alcohol use history is only relevant in patients with liver disease. Explain.
False. Alcohol affects withdrawal risk, drug metabolism, cardiovascular stability, and
postoperative outcomes regardless of liver disease status.
All cases of postoperative bradycardia require emergency intervention. Explain.
False. Treatment depends on symptoms, hemodynamic stability, and the underlying cause.
Some patients tolerate bradycardia well.
All chronic medications should be discontinued before surgery. Explain.
False. Some medications should be continued, while others require adjustment or temporary
discontinuation based on risk-benefit assessment.
All patients require extensive laboratory testing before surgery. Explain.
False. Testing should be individualized based on patient history, physical findings, and surgical
risk rather than ordered routinely.
All postoperative confusion represents delirium. Explain.
False. Confusion may result from pain, medications, hypoxia, metabolic disturbances, sleep
deprivation, or neurologic injury.
All surgical patients should routinely receive sedative premedication. Explain.
False. Premedication should be individualized because excessive sedation may increase risks,
particularly in elderly or respiratory-compromised patients.
Ambulatory surgery patients have zero risk of venous thromboembolism. Explain.
False. Although risk may be lower, individual patient factors can still create significant
thromboembolic risk.
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,1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Ambulatory surgery patients typically require a responsible ______ to accompany them home.
Adult.
The anesthesia technique involving injection around individual peripheral nerves is called a
______ block.
Peripheral nerve.
Antibiotics are most effective when first administered after surgical incision. Explain.
False. Antibiotics are generally most effective when administered before incision to establish
adequate tissue concentrations.
Anxiety before surgery has no physiological impact on patient outcomes. Explain.
False. Anxiety can increase sympathetic activation, elevate blood pressure and heart rate, and
negatively affect perioperative experiences.
Are herbal supplements harmless because they are "natural"? Explain.
No. Many herbal supplements affect bleeding, blood pressure, sedation, and drug metabolism.
Are over-the-counter medications always safe to continue before surgery? Explain.
No. Certain medications such as NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk and may require
temporary discontinuation.
An arterial line measures venous pressure. Explain.
False. An arterial line measures arterial pressure directly and is not used to assess venous
pressure.
ASA classification alone accurately predicts all perioperative complications. Explain.
False. ASA classification is a valuable risk assessment tool but must be considered alongside
age, surgical complexity, airway status, and comorbidities.
As patient age increases, anesthetic MAC requirements generally ______.
Decrease.
Aspiration most directly threatens the patient's ______ system.
Respiratory.
3 of 103
, 1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Aspiration occurs when gastric contents enter the ______.
Lungs (or respiratory tract).
Awake fiberoptic intubation requires general anesthesia before the procedure begins. Explain.
False. The patient is usually awake or lightly sedated with topical anesthesia to preserve
spontaneous ventilation.
Behavioral pain indicators may include grimacing, guarding, and facial ______.
Expressions.
A blood clot that travels to the lungs is called a pulmonary ______.
Embolism.
Blood samples obtained from an arterial line are commonly used for ______ blood gas
analysis.
Arterial.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to assess ______ risk factors.
Obesity-related.
Bradycardia always requires immediate treatment. Explain.
False. Treatment depends on symptoms, perfusion status, blood pressure, and underlying
cause. Some patients tolerate bradycardia well.
A calm-appearing child always indicates adequate pain control. Explain.
False. Some children may internalize distress or appear calm despite significant pain or
sedation.
Can myocardial ischemia occur without chest pain in postoperative patients? Explain.
Yes. Sedation, analgesics, age, diabetes, and altered consciousness may mask classic
symptoms.
Capnography is primarily a monitor of ______ rather than oxygenation.
Ventilation.
Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by ______ volume.
Stroke.
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An 82-year-old patient with multiple chronic illnesses is scheduled for surgery. What major
concern should be addressed during risk screening?
Assessment of frailty, functional status, cognitive function, and overall physiologic reserve
because chronological age alone does not fully predict risk.
ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, and ______.
Circulation.
ABG testing provides direct measurement of blood ______ levels.
Gas.
Abnormal heart rhythms are known as ______.
Arrhythmias.
Abrupt discontinuation of certain psychiatric medications may lead to ______ symptoms.
Withdrawal.
Accurate medication ______ creates a legal and clinical record of care provided.
Documentation.
Acetaminophen is considered a ______-opioid analgesic.
Non.
Adequate tissue ______ is the ultimate goal of cardiovascular function.
Perfusion.
The administration of anesthetic agents into cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid space
is called ______ anesthesia.
Spinal anesthesia.
Advanced ______ is one of the strongest predictors of increased perioperative morbidity and
mortality.
Age.
1 of 103
,1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Advanced monitoring provides more detailed physiologic ______ than standard bedside
monitoring.
Data.
Advanced monitoring replaces direct patient assessment. Explain.
False. Monitoring supplements but never replaces comprehensive clinical evaluation and
judgment.
Age alone determines whether a patient is a suitable surgical candidate. Explain.
False. Functional status, comorbidities, physiologic reserve, and surgical urgency are often
more important than age alone.
Alcohol use history is only relevant in patients with liver disease. Explain.
False. Alcohol affects withdrawal risk, drug metabolism, cardiovascular stability, and
postoperative outcomes regardless of liver disease status.
All cases of postoperative bradycardia require emergency intervention. Explain.
False. Treatment depends on symptoms, hemodynamic stability, and the underlying cause.
Some patients tolerate bradycardia well.
All chronic medications should be discontinued before surgery. Explain.
False. Some medications should be continued, while others require adjustment or temporary
discontinuation based on risk-benefit assessment.
All patients require extensive laboratory testing before surgery. Explain.
False. Testing should be individualized based on patient history, physical findings, and surgical
risk rather than ordered routinely.
All postoperative confusion represents delirium. Explain.
False. Confusion may result from pain, medications, hypoxia, metabolic disturbances, sleep
deprivation, or neurologic injury.
All surgical patients should routinely receive sedative premedication. Explain.
False. Premedication should be individualized because excessive sedation may increase risks,
particularly in elderly or respiratory-compromised patients.
Ambulatory surgery patients have zero risk of venous thromboembolism. Explain.
False. Although risk may be lower, individual patient factors can still create significant
thromboembolic risk.
2 of 103
,1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Ambulatory surgery patients typically require a responsible ______ to accompany them home.
Adult.
The anesthesia technique involving injection around individual peripheral nerves is called a
______ block.
Peripheral nerve.
Antibiotics are most effective when first administered after surgical incision. Explain.
False. Antibiotics are generally most effective when administered before incision to establish
adequate tissue concentrations.
Anxiety before surgery has no physiological impact on patient outcomes. Explain.
False. Anxiety can increase sympathetic activation, elevate blood pressure and heart rate, and
negatively affect perioperative experiences.
Are herbal supplements harmless because they are "natural"? Explain.
No. Many herbal supplements affect bleeding, blood pressure, sedation, and drug metabolism.
Are over-the-counter medications always safe to continue before surgery? Explain.
No. Certain medications such as NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk and may require
temporary discontinuation.
An arterial line measures venous pressure. Explain.
False. An arterial line measures arterial pressure directly and is not used to assess venous
pressure.
ASA classification alone accurately predicts all perioperative complications. Explain.
False. ASA classification is a valuable risk assessment tool but must be considered alongside
age, surgical complexity, airway status, and comorbidities.
As patient age increases, anesthetic MAC requirements generally ______.
Decrease.
Aspiration most directly threatens the patient's ______ system.
Respiratory.
3 of 103
, 1000 Flashcards PACU Exam
Aspiration occurs when gastric contents enter the ______.
Lungs (or respiratory tract).
Awake fiberoptic intubation requires general anesthesia before the procedure begins. Explain.
False. The patient is usually awake or lightly sedated with topical anesthesia to preserve
spontaneous ventilation.
Behavioral pain indicators may include grimacing, guarding, and facial ______.
Expressions.
A blood clot that travels to the lungs is called a pulmonary ______.
Embolism.
Blood samples obtained from an arterial line are commonly used for ______ blood gas
analysis.
Arterial.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to assess ______ risk factors.
Obesity-related.
Bradycardia always requires immediate treatment. Explain.
False. Treatment depends on symptoms, perfusion status, blood pressure, and underlying
cause. Some patients tolerate bradycardia well.
A calm-appearing child always indicates adequate pain control. Explain.
False. Some children may internalize distress or appear calm despite significant pain or
sedation.
Can myocardial ischemia occur without chest pain in postoperative patients? Explain.
Yes. Sedation, analgesics, age, diabetes, and altered consciousness may mask classic
symptoms.
Capnography is primarily a monitor of ______ rather than oxygenation.
Ventilation.
Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by ______ volume.
Stroke.
4 of 103
