PACU and Transfer to Surgical Floor Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What is the primary nursing Recover the patient and monitor until
responsibility in the PACU? stable
enough to transfer.
What should a nurse maintain to Maintain a patent airway, VS,
ensure airway safety in the assessments, and
PACU? control N/V
What are two causes of a blocked Absent swallow/gag reflex and
airway following general laryngospasm.
anesthesia
(HRF)?
What causes ineffective airway aspiration r/t absent swallow/gag reflexes
clearance?
What causes ineffective breathing Endotracheal intubation/extubation
patterns?
What happen before extubation? Patient starts to push out with tongue
What should be monitor for HRF RR, ease of respirations, and secretions
ineffective airway clearance?
, What should a patient with HT incentive spirometer use, deep
ineffective airway clearance be breathing, and
taught? coughing
How should a patient with Laterally or, if needed, supine with head to
ineffective the side
airway clearance be positioned?
What are symptoms of a Stridor and respiratory distress (snoring
laryngospasm? and
crowing)
What intervention should be taken Notify the anesthesiologist immediately,
if pull the
a patient shows signs of jaw forward, provide 100% O2, CPAP,
laryngospasm? prepare to
administer IV muscle relaxants, and
prepare for
possible intubation
What position should a patient be Turn on side with neck extended or put
placed in if they are at risk for their head
airway to the side if supine.
obstruction?
What is an appropriate nursing Use an incentive spirometer when the
intervention for ineffective airway patient is
clearance? awake.
How often should vital signs be Every 15 minutes for the first hour, then
assessed in the PACU for every 30
cardiovascular stability? minutes if stable.
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What is the primary nursing Recover the patient and monitor until
responsibility in the PACU? stable
enough to transfer.
What should a nurse maintain to Maintain a patent airway, VS,
ensure airway safety in the assessments, and
PACU? control N/V
What are two causes of a blocked Absent swallow/gag reflex and
airway following general laryngospasm.
anesthesia
(HRF)?
What causes ineffective airway aspiration r/t absent swallow/gag reflexes
clearance?
What causes ineffective breathing Endotracheal intubation/extubation
patterns?
What happen before extubation? Patient starts to push out with tongue
What should be monitor for HRF RR, ease of respirations, and secretions
ineffective airway clearance?
, What should a patient with HT incentive spirometer use, deep
ineffective airway clearance be breathing, and
taught? coughing
How should a patient with Laterally or, if needed, supine with head to
ineffective the side
airway clearance be positioned?
What are symptoms of a Stridor and respiratory distress (snoring
laryngospasm? and
crowing)
What intervention should be taken Notify the anesthesiologist immediately,
if pull the
a patient shows signs of jaw forward, provide 100% O2, CPAP,
laryngospasm? prepare to
administer IV muscle relaxants, and
prepare for
possible intubation
What position should a patient be Turn on side with neck extended or put
placed in if they are at risk for their head
airway to the side if supine.
obstruction?
What is an appropriate nursing Use an incentive spirometer when the
intervention for ineffective airway patient is
clearance? awake.
How often should vital signs be Every 15 minutes for the first hour, then
assessed in the PACU for every 30
cardiovascular stability? minutes if stable.
