PACU Study guide UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Where are the patiens transported to after surgery? - CORRECT ANSWER - PACU (Post
anesthesia care unit)
Who is the PACU staffed by? - CORRECT ANSWER - Critical care nurses
Why is the PACU close to the surgical suites? - CORRECT ANSWER - For rapid transfer
of patients after surgery
What is a verbal and written report from one person to another to provide updated patient
information? - CORRECT ANSWER - Handover or Handoff
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWER - A standardized method of
measuring a patient's level of consciousness/ response to external stimuli.
The is the way drugs are given during preoperative an intraoperative phase that have a direct
pharmacology effect - CORRECT ANSWER - Administered postoperatively
This is needed in order to determine the need for further action, such as transfusions -
CORRECT ANSWER - Estimate blood loss
The estimated blood loss is needed to determine the need for further action such as this -
CORRECT ANSWER - Transfusions
The circulator or the ACP communicates all information needed to updated the PACU nurse on
the patient's _____ status before and during surgery - CORRECT ANSWER -
Physiological
, What are the primary importance during the postoperative period? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Wound assessment and care
Who provides specific orders for continuation of care and a smooth recovery - CORRECT
ANSWER - The ACP
How is perfusion or oxygen saturation of the blood measured by? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Pulse oximeter
This may be measured with an inline catheter by observing the jugular veins - CORRECT
ANSWER - The central venous pressure
This is assessed for distention which may indicate the presence of fluid, including blood or air -
CORRECT ANSWER - The abdomen
What type of assessment is used by the PACU nurse to concentrate on a specific organ system or
region of the body? - CORRECT ANSWER - Focused assessment
When fluids shift from the vascular space to the intercellular space than can occur after surgery,
the patient must be____ - CORRECT ANSWER - Evaluated carefully
Assessment for this includes physical signs and symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -
Dehydration
This monitors the heart for rate and rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - ECG
Who provides continual emotional support to the patient - CORRECT ANSWER - The
PACU staff
These types of problems are the most frequent life threatening postoperative complications -
CORRECT ANSWER - Respiratory
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Where are the patiens transported to after surgery? - CORRECT ANSWER - PACU (Post
anesthesia care unit)
Who is the PACU staffed by? - CORRECT ANSWER - Critical care nurses
Why is the PACU close to the surgical suites? - CORRECT ANSWER - For rapid transfer
of patients after surgery
What is a verbal and written report from one person to another to provide updated patient
information? - CORRECT ANSWER - Handover or Handoff
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWER - A standardized method of
measuring a patient's level of consciousness/ response to external stimuli.
The is the way drugs are given during preoperative an intraoperative phase that have a direct
pharmacology effect - CORRECT ANSWER - Administered postoperatively
This is needed in order to determine the need for further action, such as transfusions -
CORRECT ANSWER - Estimate blood loss
The estimated blood loss is needed to determine the need for further action such as this -
CORRECT ANSWER - Transfusions
The circulator or the ACP communicates all information needed to updated the PACU nurse on
the patient's _____ status before and during surgery - CORRECT ANSWER -
Physiological
, What are the primary importance during the postoperative period? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Wound assessment and care
Who provides specific orders for continuation of care and a smooth recovery - CORRECT
ANSWER - The ACP
How is perfusion or oxygen saturation of the blood measured by? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Pulse oximeter
This may be measured with an inline catheter by observing the jugular veins - CORRECT
ANSWER - The central venous pressure
This is assessed for distention which may indicate the presence of fluid, including blood or air -
CORRECT ANSWER - The abdomen
What type of assessment is used by the PACU nurse to concentrate on a specific organ system or
region of the body? - CORRECT ANSWER - Focused assessment
When fluids shift from the vascular space to the intercellular space than can occur after surgery,
the patient must be____ - CORRECT ANSWER - Evaluated carefully
Assessment for this includes physical signs and symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -
Dehydration
This monitors the heart for rate and rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - ECG
Who provides continual emotional support to the patient - CORRECT ANSWER - The
PACU staff
These types of problems are the most frequent life threatening postoperative complications -
CORRECT ANSWER - Respiratory
