Prophecy: PACU UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
You are caring for an underweight, older adult who is intubated, sedated, and septic. You have
implemented turning every 2 hours. While inspecting the patient's back, you notice bony
prominences with intact but reddened skin. What should you include in the plan of care? - NOT:
document presence of pressure injury
POS: specialized air bed?
What MUST you confirm before removing a cervical spine collar? - NOT: airway is patent
Order from MD?
You are admitting a patient who is sedated and intubated directly from the operating room after a
major surgery. The anesthesia provider connects the patient to the ventilator in the ICU room and
leaves before entering orders for the patient's ventilator settings. How should you proceed? -
NOT: Call the OR and speak to the anesthesia provider
POS: contact the ICU intensivist assigned to the case
Your patient has just completed IV potassium replacement. When should you collect their repeat
potassium level? - NOT: 4-8 hrs
POS: 30-60min
When assessing for fever in your intubated patient, placement of the thermometer in which area
would be most accurate? - NOT: oral/rectal
POS: pulmonary artery/bladder
An intubated patient with a GCS of 3 is admitted to the ICU from the ER after being found down
for an unknown amount of time. The CT scan reveals profuse cerebral edema. When is the best
time to notify organ donation services? - NOT: after the physician speaks with the family
POS: within 24 hours of admission to ICU
, Your patient is receiving an antiarrhythmic agent. Which of the following assessment parameters
is the most important for you to evaluate? - NOT: blood pressure
POS: EKG. pulse
The surgeon has ordered ampicillin for a patient. When you check their chart, you see an allergy
to penicillin. What is the best action? - NOT: call pharmacist to clarify
POS: ask what type of reaction the pt has
What do you consider to be the safest initial dose of IV hydromorphone for a 70 year old without
renal impairment? - NOT: 1mg
POS: 0.5mg
What do you consider to be a safe dose of IV fentanyl for an adult who does not have tolerance
to opioids? - NOT: 25mg
POS: 25mcg
What condition increases a patient's risk of respiratory depression when using a PCA pump? -
NOT: liver disease
POS: sleep apnea
What position would help alleviate headaches after spinal anesthesia? - NOT: semifowlers
POS: supine?
What set of findings indicates a patient is likely to be ready for phase 1 discharge? - NOT:
Drowsy, blood pressure returned to preop levels,, 6L O2
POS: C) Drowsy, oxygen saturation of 96%, able to cough, and move all extremities
CORRECT Answers
You are caring for an underweight, older adult who is intubated, sedated, and septic. You have
implemented turning every 2 hours. While inspecting the patient's back, you notice bony
prominences with intact but reddened skin. What should you include in the plan of care? - NOT:
document presence of pressure injury
POS: specialized air bed?
What MUST you confirm before removing a cervical spine collar? - NOT: airway is patent
Order from MD?
You are admitting a patient who is sedated and intubated directly from the operating room after a
major surgery. The anesthesia provider connects the patient to the ventilator in the ICU room and
leaves before entering orders for the patient's ventilator settings. How should you proceed? -
NOT: Call the OR and speak to the anesthesia provider
POS: contact the ICU intensivist assigned to the case
Your patient has just completed IV potassium replacement. When should you collect their repeat
potassium level? - NOT: 4-8 hrs
POS: 30-60min
When assessing for fever in your intubated patient, placement of the thermometer in which area
would be most accurate? - NOT: oral/rectal
POS: pulmonary artery/bladder
An intubated patient with a GCS of 3 is admitted to the ICU from the ER after being found down
for an unknown amount of time. The CT scan reveals profuse cerebral edema. When is the best
time to notify organ donation services? - NOT: after the physician speaks with the family
POS: within 24 hours of admission to ICU
, Your patient is receiving an antiarrhythmic agent. Which of the following assessment parameters
is the most important for you to evaluate? - NOT: blood pressure
POS: EKG. pulse
The surgeon has ordered ampicillin for a patient. When you check their chart, you see an allergy
to penicillin. What is the best action? - NOT: call pharmacist to clarify
POS: ask what type of reaction the pt has
What do you consider to be the safest initial dose of IV hydromorphone for a 70 year old without
renal impairment? - NOT: 1mg
POS: 0.5mg
What do you consider to be a safe dose of IV fentanyl for an adult who does not have tolerance
to opioids? - NOT: 25mg
POS: 25mcg
What condition increases a patient's risk of respiratory depression when using a PCA pump? -
NOT: liver disease
POS: sleep apnea
What position would help alleviate headaches after spinal anesthesia? - NOT: semifowlers
POS: supine?
What set of findings indicates a patient is likely to be ready for phase 1 discharge? - NOT:
Drowsy, blood pressure returned to preop levels,, 6L O2
POS: C) Drowsy, oxygen saturation of 96%, able to cough, and move all extremities
