PACU final Exam Questions and Answers
2026/2027 |Already Graded A+|
Verified and Updated
What is the rationale for placing a pregnant trauma patient in the left lateral
position?
A. To decrease circulation to minimize risk of hemorrhage
B. To prevent the aspiration of gastric contents
C. To promote adequate circulation - CORRECT ANSWER -C. To promote adequate
circulation
You are caring for a patient, age 18, in Phase I recovery. The patient's parents are
demanding to be allowed to see their daughter in the postanesthesia care unit
(PACU). What is your BEST response?
A. Allow the parents into the PACU to see their daughter.
B. Ask the patient if she would like her parents to come to the PACU.
C. Inform the parents that because the patient is an adult, you cannot allow them
into the PACU. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Ask the patient if she would like her
parents to come to the PACU.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding a patient's use of essential
oils to promote relaxation prior to surgery?
,A. Essential oils pose no safety risk when applied before surgery.
B. Essential oils may be applied prior to surgery if approved by the anesthesia
provider.
C. The use of essential oils is strictly prohibited prior to surgery. - CORRECT
ANSWER -B. Essential oils may be applied prior to surgery if approved by the
anesthesia provider.
Which assessment finding is most likely to delay discharge for Salem, age 6?
A. Salem appears comfortable but had an episode of vomiting with a position
change on the stretcher.
B. Salem has not yet voided but is drinking clear liquids without difficulty.
C. After receiving oral pain medication, Salem is still slightly tearful, but his blood
pressure is returning to its preoperative baseline. - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Salem
appears comfortable but had an episode of vomiting with a position change on
the stretcher.
You are performing a preanesthesia assessment on a child whose parents speak
limited English. After accessing your organization's virtual translator service, you
interview the parents. Which question is most appropriate to ask the parents
through an interpreter?
A. "What illnesses has Sabine had in the past?"
B. "Has Sabine had a recent cold?"
C. "Did Sabine have all of her childhood immunizations? When did she receive
each one?" - CORRECT ANSWER -B. "Has Sabine had a recent cold?"
,What is the purpose of the stir-up regimen in postoperative patients?
A. To prevent respiratory complications, including atelectasis
B. To decrease the risk of developing a surgical site infection
C. To decrease the need for opioid medications as part of a pain management
regimen - CORRECT ANSWER -A. To prevent respiratory complications, including
atelectasis
Which of the following is NOT considered an aspect of nursing peer chart audits?
A. Practitioner documentation
B. Nurse documentation
C. Quality care measures documentation
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Practitioner documentation
Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding epidural anesthesia?
A. Epidural anesthesia can be titrated.
B. Epidural anesthesia is intended only for use with spinal anesthesia or general
anesthesia.
C. An epidural catheter can be used before, during, or after a procedure. -
CORRECT ANSWER -B. Epidural anesthesia is intended only for use with spinal
anesthesia or general anesthesia.
, What type of weight loss surgery involves complete reconstruction of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
A. Adjustable banded gastroplasty
B. Sleeve gastrectomy
C. Roux-en-Y bypass surgery - CORRECT ANSWER -review: ASPAN: Mosby's
Orientation to Perianesthesia Nursing: Special Populations: Bariatric Patients and
Patients with Substance Use Disorders
Which of the following situations is not an appropriate reason to discharge a
pediatric patient to extended or ongoing care?
A. The child is in respiratory distress and requires reintubation by the anesthesia
provider.
B. The child has unresolved postoperative nausea and vomiting.
C. The child is awaiting transportation home.
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -A. The child is in respiratory distress and requires
reintubation by the anesthesia provider.
Which criteria best reflects discharge readiness from the Phase II postanesthesia
care unit (PACU) for a patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) who uses supplemental oxygen at home?
A. Oxygen saturation level greater than 95 percent with supplemental oxygen
B. Oxygen saturation at baseline with supplemental oxygen
2026/2027 |Already Graded A+|
Verified and Updated
What is the rationale for placing a pregnant trauma patient in the left lateral
position?
A. To decrease circulation to minimize risk of hemorrhage
B. To prevent the aspiration of gastric contents
C. To promote adequate circulation - CORRECT ANSWER -C. To promote adequate
circulation
You are caring for a patient, age 18, in Phase I recovery. The patient's parents are
demanding to be allowed to see their daughter in the postanesthesia care unit
(PACU). What is your BEST response?
A. Allow the parents into the PACU to see their daughter.
B. Ask the patient if she would like her parents to come to the PACU.
C. Inform the parents that because the patient is an adult, you cannot allow them
into the PACU. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Ask the patient if she would like her
parents to come to the PACU.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding a patient's use of essential
oils to promote relaxation prior to surgery?
,A. Essential oils pose no safety risk when applied before surgery.
B. Essential oils may be applied prior to surgery if approved by the anesthesia
provider.
C. The use of essential oils is strictly prohibited prior to surgery. - CORRECT
ANSWER -B. Essential oils may be applied prior to surgery if approved by the
anesthesia provider.
Which assessment finding is most likely to delay discharge for Salem, age 6?
A. Salem appears comfortable but had an episode of vomiting with a position
change on the stretcher.
B. Salem has not yet voided but is drinking clear liquids without difficulty.
C. After receiving oral pain medication, Salem is still slightly tearful, but his blood
pressure is returning to its preoperative baseline. - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Salem
appears comfortable but had an episode of vomiting with a position change on
the stretcher.
You are performing a preanesthesia assessment on a child whose parents speak
limited English. After accessing your organization's virtual translator service, you
interview the parents. Which question is most appropriate to ask the parents
through an interpreter?
A. "What illnesses has Sabine had in the past?"
B. "Has Sabine had a recent cold?"
C. "Did Sabine have all of her childhood immunizations? When did she receive
each one?" - CORRECT ANSWER -B. "Has Sabine had a recent cold?"
,What is the purpose of the stir-up regimen in postoperative patients?
A. To prevent respiratory complications, including atelectasis
B. To decrease the risk of developing a surgical site infection
C. To decrease the need for opioid medications as part of a pain management
regimen - CORRECT ANSWER -A. To prevent respiratory complications, including
atelectasis
Which of the following is NOT considered an aspect of nursing peer chart audits?
A. Practitioner documentation
B. Nurse documentation
C. Quality care measures documentation
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Practitioner documentation
Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding epidural anesthesia?
A. Epidural anesthesia can be titrated.
B. Epidural anesthesia is intended only for use with spinal anesthesia or general
anesthesia.
C. An epidural catheter can be used before, during, or after a procedure. -
CORRECT ANSWER -B. Epidural anesthesia is intended only for use with spinal
anesthesia or general anesthesia.
, What type of weight loss surgery involves complete reconstruction of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
A. Adjustable banded gastroplasty
B. Sleeve gastrectomy
C. Roux-en-Y bypass surgery - CORRECT ANSWER -review: ASPAN: Mosby's
Orientation to Perianesthesia Nursing: Special Populations: Bariatric Patients and
Patients with Substance Use Disorders
Which of the following situations is not an appropriate reason to discharge a
pediatric patient to extended or ongoing care?
A. The child is in respiratory distress and requires reintubation by the anesthesia
provider.
B. The child has unresolved postoperative nausea and vomiting.
C. The child is awaiting transportation home.
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -A. The child is in respiratory distress and requires
reintubation by the anesthesia provider.
Which criteria best reflects discharge readiness from the Phase II postanesthesia
care unit (PACU) for a patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) who uses supplemental oxygen at home?
A. Oxygen saturation level greater than 95 percent with supplemental oxygen
B. Oxygen saturation at baseline with supplemental oxygen
