Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
Relias Learning / Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) | Verified Q&A | Professional
Registered Nurse Candidates
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 70 items constructed to reinforce the official Relias
PACU RN course objectives for the 2026/2027 curriculum. The content is organized across four domains:
Airway Management and Respiratory Care, Hemodynamic Monitoring and Cardiovascular Stability, Pain
Management and Pharmacological Interventions, and Postoperative Complications and Safety Protocols.
The domains cover 17 to 18 questions each drawn from distinct sub-topics, so every item evaluates a
separate body of knowledge with no duplication across the examination. The items are designed for
Professional Registered Nurse and Certification Candidates who are working toward the actual exam, and
each question is paired with a rationale grounded in official Relias PACU RN training materials, current
ASPAN perianesthesia nursing standards, and evidence-based post-anesthesia care guidelines. Working
through all 70 questions will reinforce airway, hemodynamic, pain, and safety skills required for real-
world post-anesthesia nursing proficiency and actual exam readiness.
Domain: Airway Management and Respiratory Care
1. Which assessment finding in a PACU patient indicates upper airway obstruction from
tongue displacement?
A. Clear breath sounds with normal airflow.
B. Normal pulse oximetry.
C. A strong cough.
D. Stridor and absent airflow despite respiratory effort.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Upper airway obstruction from tongue displacement presents with stridor and absent
or reduced airflow despite respiratory effort. The PACU nurse must reposition the airway
promptly. This follows ASPAN airway standards.
2. Which initial maneuver is appropriate for a patient with airway obstruction from a
relaxed tongue?
A. Place the patient flat and supine.
B. Perform a head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw thrust.
C. Administer an opioid.
D. Withhold oxygen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw thrust repositions the tongue to open the airway. This is
the initial airway maneuver in the PACU setting.
3. Which airway adjunct is used to keep the tongue from obstructing the airway in an
unconscious patient?
A. A bite block used for intubation.
B. An oropharyngeal airway.
C. An incentive spirometer.
D. A nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: B
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway holds the tongue forward to maintain a patent airway in an
unconscious patient. It is a standard airway adjunct.
4. Which airway adjunct is better tolerated in a patient with a gag reflex?
A. A nasopharyngeal airway.
B. An oropharyngeal airway.
C. A laryngoscope.
D. A tongue depressor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway is better tolerated than an oropharyngeal airway in patients
with a gag reflex. This is an airway selection principle.
5. Which positioning promotes airway patency and prevents aspiration in the PACU
patient?
A. Trendelenburg.
B. Prone.
C. Lateral or side-lying position with the head slightly elevated.
D. Flat supine with the head extended.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lateral positioning with head elevation promotes airway patency and helps prevent
aspiration in the recovering patient. This is a standard PACU position.
6. Which tool is used to objectively assess a patient's level of sedation and respiratory
depression?
A. A thermometer.
B. A urine dipstick.
C. A blood pressure cuff.
D. A validated sedation scale.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A validated sedation scale objectively measures sedation level and helps detect
respiratory depression risk. This is a PACU assessment standard.
7. Which finding indicates adequate ventilation in a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Decreasing oxygen saturation.
B. Increasing somnolence.
C. A normal end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory rate.
D. An irregular breathing pattern.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate ventilation is reflected by a normal end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory
rate. The PACU nurse monitors ventilation, not just oxygenation.
8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with oxygen desaturation after
extubation?
A. Ignore the saturation.
B. Apply oxygen and reassess the airway and breathing.
C. Delay assessment.
D. Withhold oxygen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen desaturation after extubation warrants applying oxygen and reassessing the
airway and breathing. This is a priority PACU intervention.
9. Which complication should the nurse suspect in a patient with sudden dyspnea and
unilateral chest pain after surgery?
A. Simple nausea.
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, B. A mild headache.
C. A small bruise.
D. Pulmonary embolism.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and unilateral chest pain after surgery suggest a pulmonary
embolism, which is an emergency. This is a priority respiratory complication to recognize.
10. Which action is appropriate for a patient with suspected aspiration?
A. Delay intervention.
B. Encourage more food.
C. Withhold all oxygen.
D. Position to protect the airway, suction as needed, and notify the provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Suspected aspiration requires airway protection, suctioning, and provider notification.
This is a priority safety response.
11. Which medication may be used to reverse the respiratory depression caused by opioids?
A. Naloxone.
B. A benzodiazepine.
C. An antipsychotic.
D. A beta-blocker.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression. It is the specific reversal
agent for opioids.
12. Which consideration is important when giving naloxone to a PACU patient?
A. Withhold it entirely.
B. Titrate it carefully to avoid acute pain and rapid reversal.
C. Ignore the effect.
D. Give the largest dose immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone is titrated carefully to reverse respiratory depression while avoiding a
sudden, painful reversal. This is a safety principle.
13. Which device delivers a precise concentration of oxygen?
A. A venturi mask.
B. A humidifier alone.
C. A room-air fan.
D. A simple face mask with no control.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A venturi mask delivers a precise, controlled oxygen concentration. This is useful when
an exact oxygen percentage is required.
14. Which nursing action promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis
postoperatively?
A. Limit movement.
B. Encourage deep breathing and incentive spirometry.
C. Withhold breathing exercises.
D. Discourage coughing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deep breathing and incentive spirometry promote lung expansion and prevent
atelectasis. This is a standard postoperative respiratory intervention.
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Verified Questions
Relias Learning / Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) | Verified Q&A | Professional
Registered Nurse Candidates
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 70 items constructed to reinforce the official Relias
PACU RN course objectives for the 2026/2027 curriculum. The content is organized across four domains:
Airway Management and Respiratory Care, Hemodynamic Monitoring and Cardiovascular Stability, Pain
Management and Pharmacological Interventions, and Postoperative Complications and Safety Protocols.
The domains cover 17 to 18 questions each drawn from distinct sub-topics, so every item evaluates a
separate body of knowledge with no duplication across the examination. The items are designed for
Professional Registered Nurse and Certification Candidates who are working toward the actual exam, and
each question is paired with a rationale grounded in official Relias PACU RN training materials, current
ASPAN perianesthesia nursing standards, and evidence-based post-anesthesia care guidelines. Working
through all 70 questions will reinforce airway, hemodynamic, pain, and safety skills required for real-
world post-anesthesia nursing proficiency and actual exam readiness.
Domain: Airway Management and Respiratory Care
1. Which assessment finding in a PACU patient indicates upper airway obstruction from
tongue displacement?
A. Clear breath sounds with normal airflow.
B. Normal pulse oximetry.
C. A strong cough.
D. Stridor and absent airflow despite respiratory effort.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Upper airway obstruction from tongue displacement presents with stridor and absent
or reduced airflow despite respiratory effort. The PACU nurse must reposition the airway
promptly. This follows ASPAN airway standards.
2. Which initial maneuver is appropriate for a patient with airway obstruction from a
relaxed tongue?
A. Place the patient flat and supine.
B. Perform a head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw thrust.
C. Administer an opioid.
D. Withhold oxygen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw thrust repositions the tongue to open the airway. This is
the initial airway maneuver in the PACU setting.
3. Which airway adjunct is used to keep the tongue from obstructing the airway in an
unconscious patient?
A. A bite block used for intubation.
B. An oropharyngeal airway.
C. An incentive spirometer.
D. A nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: B
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway holds the tongue forward to maintain a patent airway in an
unconscious patient. It is a standard airway adjunct.
4. Which airway adjunct is better tolerated in a patient with a gag reflex?
A. A nasopharyngeal airway.
B. An oropharyngeal airway.
C. A laryngoscope.
D. A tongue depressor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway is better tolerated than an oropharyngeal airway in patients
with a gag reflex. This is an airway selection principle.
5. Which positioning promotes airway patency and prevents aspiration in the PACU
patient?
A. Trendelenburg.
B. Prone.
C. Lateral or side-lying position with the head slightly elevated.
D. Flat supine with the head extended.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lateral positioning with head elevation promotes airway patency and helps prevent
aspiration in the recovering patient. This is a standard PACU position.
6. Which tool is used to objectively assess a patient's level of sedation and respiratory
depression?
A. A thermometer.
B. A urine dipstick.
C. A blood pressure cuff.
D. A validated sedation scale.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A validated sedation scale objectively measures sedation level and helps detect
respiratory depression risk. This is a PACU assessment standard.
7. Which finding indicates adequate ventilation in a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Decreasing oxygen saturation.
B. Increasing somnolence.
C. A normal end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory rate.
D. An irregular breathing pattern.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate ventilation is reflected by a normal end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory
rate. The PACU nurse monitors ventilation, not just oxygenation.
8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with oxygen desaturation after
extubation?
A. Ignore the saturation.
B. Apply oxygen and reassess the airway and breathing.
C. Delay assessment.
D. Withhold oxygen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen desaturation after extubation warrants applying oxygen and reassessing the
airway and breathing. This is a priority PACU intervention.
9. Which complication should the nurse suspect in a patient with sudden dyspnea and
unilateral chest pain after surgery?
A. Simple nausea.
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, B. A mild headache.
C. A small bruise.
D. Pulmonary embolism.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and unilateral chest pain after surgery suggest a pulmonary
embolism, which is an emergency. This is a priority respiratory complication to recognize.
10. Which action is appropriate for a patient with suspected aspiration?
A. Delay intervention.
B. Encourage more food.
C. Withhold all oxygen.
D. Position to protect the airway, suction as needed, and notify the provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Suspected aspiration requires airway protection, suctioning, and provider notification.
This is a priority safety response.
11. Which medication may be used to reverse the respiratory depression caused by opioids?
A. Naloxone.
B. A benzodiazepine.
C. An antipsychotic.
D. A beta-blocker.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression. It is the specific reversal
agent for opioids.
12. Which consideration is important when giving naloxone to a PACU patient?
A. Withhold it entirely.
B. Titrate it carefully to avoid acute pain and rapid reversal.
C. Ignore the effect.
D. Give the largest dose immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone is titrated carefully to reverse respiratory depression while avoiding a
sudden, painful reversal. This is a safety principle.
13. Which device delivers a precise concentration of oxygen?
A. A venturi mask.
B. A humidifier alone.
C. A room-air fan.
D. A simple face mask with no control.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A venturi mask delivers a precise, controlled oxygen concentration. This is useful when
an exact oxygen percentage is required.
14. Which nursing action promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis
postoperatively?
A. Limit movement.
B. Encourage deep breathing and incentive spirometry.
C. Withhold breathing exercises.
D. Discourage coughing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deep breathing and incentive spirometry promote lung expansion and prevent
atelectasis. This is a standard postoperative respiratory intervention.
Relias PACU RN A v1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
