Pacu Final Exam Questions and Answers
2026/2027 |Already Graded A+|
Verified and Updated
Which ethical principle represents the obligation of the perianesthesia nurse to
act for the patient's benefit?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Nonmaleficence - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Beneficence
Which common complication are you most likely to observe in a patient who
received spinal anesthesia?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Hypotension
When performing discharge teaching with a patient whom you have assessed to
have low literacy skills, which intervention is LEAST appropriate?
A. Ask if the patient would like a family member to be present while you provide
discharge teaching.
,B. Use only approved materials that are determined to be easy to read and
understand.
C. Tell the patient that you will perform discharge teaching with a family member
instead of with the patient. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Tell the patient that you will
perform discharge teaching with a family member instead of with the patient.
You are caring for a patient who was involved in a mass casualty incident when a
tour bus collided with several other vehicles on a highway. While she is recovering
from emergency surgery in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), her husband,
who was on the bus but was not injured, asks you about her specific injures. What
is your best response?
A. Tell him her injuries because he is her spouse and most likely her next of kin.
B. Tell him to ask the surgeon about her injuries.
C. Tell him you must first ask the patient's permission before disclosing
information about her injuries. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Tell him you must first ask
the patient's permission before disclosing information about her injuries.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding preanesthesia screening?
A. Preanesthesia screening should always occur in person.
B. Patient education is not considered a component of preanesthesia screening.
C. Preanesthesia screening allows the patient to ask questions and express
concerns.
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Preanesthesia screening allows the patient to ask
questions and express concerns.
,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?
2026/2027 |Already Graded A+|
Verified and Updated
Which ethical principle represents the obligation of the perianesthesia nurse to
act for the patient's benefit?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Nonmaleficence - CORRECT ANSWER -A. Beneficence
Which common complication are you most likely to observe in a patient who
received spinal anesthesia?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Hypotension
When performing discharge teaching with a patient whom you have assessed to
have low literacy skills, which intervention is LEAST appropriate?
A. Ask if the patient would like a family member to be present while you provide
discharge teaching.
,B. Use only approved materials that are determined to be easy to read and
understand.
C. Tell the patient that you will perform discharge teaching with a family member
instead of with the patient. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Tell the patient that you will
perform discharge teaching with a family member instead of with the patient.
You are caring for a patient who was involved in a mass casualty incident when a
tour bus collided with several other vehicles on a highway. While she is recovering
from emergency surgery in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), her husband,
who was on the bus but was not injured, asks you about her specific injures. What
is your best response?
A. Tell him her injuries because he is her spouse and most likely her next of kin.
B. Tell him to ask the surgeon about her injuries.
C. Tell him you must first ask the patient's permission before disclosing
information about her injuries. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Tell him you must first ask
the patient's permission before disclosing information about her injuries.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding preanesthesia screening?
A. Preanesthesia screening should always occur in person.
B. Patient education is not considered a component of preanesthesia screening.
C. Preanesthesia screening allows the patient to ask questions and express
concerns.
Previous - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Preanesthesia screening allows the patient to ask
questions and express concerns.
,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?
