2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS
◉ The primary purpose of the PACU is: Answer: ongoing critical
evaluation and stabilization of pt.
◉ Upon admission, the pt must be: Answer: placed on/with EKG,
pulse ox, BP cuff, and oxygen
◉ When a pt arrives in PACU, the ___ gives report. Answer:
CRNA/Anesth.
◉ Phase 1: Answer: Intense monitoring, preparing pt for d/c or
inpatient unit
◉ Phase 2: Answer: Preparing pt for Phase III, home, or rehab
facility
◉ Phase 3: Answer: Preparing pt for self care, observation, rehab
◉ Fast tracking: Answer: Pt admitted to PACU after local or regional
anesthesia
, ◉ Intraoperative management while giving admission report:
Answer: what anesthesia was used, meds given, EBL, fluid
replacement totals, urine output
◉ Intraoperative course while giving admission report: Answer:
unexpected anesthetic events/reactions, VS, monitoring trends, lab
results
◉ PACU assessment priority: Answer: Adequacy of airway (rate,
rhythm, accessory muscles, breath sounds, O2 sat)
◉ Pts at higher risk in PACU: Answer: those that received general,
elderly, smokers/lung disease, obese, pts that went under
thoracic/airway/abd surgery
◉ Obese pts are at a higher risk in PACU due to: Answer: adipose
tissue absorbing anesthesia and slowly releasing over time, they're
harder to wake
◉ Reasons for airway obstruction: Answer: blockage (usually
tongue), supine position, extremely sleepiness, laryngospasm
(throat close), retained secretions, laryngeal edema (from neck
surgery)