RELIAS PACU RN A V1 Exam 2026 | Verified
Questions & Accurate Answers | Latest Post
Anesthesia Care RN Study Guide
• This study guide contains 200 verified PACU RN exam questions with accurate
answers, EXPERT RATIONALE, and clear formatting to help you master Post
Anesthesia Care nursing concepts efficiently.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, and studying the EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce your clinical understanding.
RELIAS PACU RN A V1 EXAM 2026 — 200 QUESTIONS
1. A patient arrives in the PACU after general anesthesia. The nurse's priority
assessment is:
A. Pain level using a numeric scale
B. Blood glucose measurement
C. Airway patency and respiratory status
D. Urinary output measurement
E. Level of consciousness only
C. Airway patency and respiratory status
EXPERT RATIONALE: Airway and breathing are always the first priority in any post-
anesthesia patient. Airway obstruction and respiratory depression are the most common
and life-threatening complications in the immediate post-anesthesia period.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of airway obstruction in
the PACU?
A. Laryngospasm
B. Bronchospasm
,C. Tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx
D. Foreign body aspiration
E. Tracheal edema
C. Tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx
EXPERT RATIONALE: In sedated or unconscious patients, loss of muscle tone causes the
tongue to fall posteriorly and obstruct the airway. A jaw thrust or chin lift maneuver can
relieve this.
3. A PACU patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88%. The nurse should first:
A. Call the anesthesiologist immediately
B. Administer naloxone
C. Apply supplemental oxygen and reposition the airway
D. Prepare for intubation
E. Obtain an arterial blood gas
C. Apply supplemental oxygen and reposition the airway
EXPERT RATIONALE: The immediate intervention for desaturation is to optimize
oxygenation by applying supplemental O₂ and opening the airway. Escalation occurs if
the patient does not respond.
4. Laryngospasm in the PACU is best initially managed by:
A. Immediate intubation
B. Administering succinylcholine IV
C. Applying continuous positive airway pressure with 100% oxygen
D. Inserting a nasopharyngeal airway
E. Performing a cricothyrotomy
, C. Applying continuous positive airway pressure with 100% oxygen
EXPERT RATIONALE: Positive pressure with 100% O₂ and jaw thrust is the first-line
treatment for laryngospasm. Succinylcholine is used only if this fails.
5. Which medication is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Neostigmine
C. Naloxone
D. Sugammadex
E. Physostigmine
C. Naloxone
EXPERT RATIONALE: Naloxone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly
reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, sedation, and analgesia.
6. A PACU nurse administers naloxone. The nurse should monitor the patient
closely because:
A. Naloxone causes permanent bradycardia
B. Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids, causing re-narcotization
C. Naloxone precipitates hypertension permanently
D. Naloxone causes bronchospasm
E. Naloxone increases intracranial pressure
B. Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids, causing re-
narcotization
EXPERT RATIONALE: Naloxone's duration of action is 30–90 minutes, shorter than many
opioids. The patient can become re-narcotized after naloxone wears off, requiring close
monitoring or repeat dosing.
, 7. Flumazenil is used to reverse the effects of:
A. Opioids
B. Neuromuscular blocking agents
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Barbiturates
E. Volatile anesthetic agents
C. Benzodiazepines
EXPERT RATIONALE: Flumazenil competitively antagonizes benzodiazepine receptors,
reversing sedation and respiratory depression caused by benzodiazepines such as
midazolam.
8. A patient in the PACU has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute and is
difficult to arouse. Which drug is most likely responsible?
A. Neostigmine
B. Morphine
C. Midazolam
D. Ondansetron
E. Ketorolac
B. Morphine
EXPERT RATIONALE: Opioids such as morphine cause dose-dependent respiratory
depression and sedation. A respiratory rate below 8 requires immediate intervention
and possible naloxone administration.
9. When assessing a PACU patient using the Aldrete scoring system, which of
the following parameters is NOT included?
Questions & Accurate Answers | Latest Post
Anesthesia Care RN Study Guide
• This study guide contains 200 verified PACU RN exam questions with accurate
answers, EXPERT RATIONALE, and clear formatting to help you master Post
Anesthesia Care nursing concepts efficiently.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, and studying the EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce your clinical understanding.
RELIAS PACU RN A V1 EXAM 2026 — 200 QUESTIONS
1. A patient arrives in the PACU after general anesthesia. The nurse's priority
assessment is:
A. Pain level using a numeric scale
B. Blood glucose measurement
C. Airway patency and respiratory status
D. Urinary output measurement
E. Level of consciousness only
C. Airway patency and respiratory status
EXPERT RATIONALE: Airway and breathing are always the first priority in any post-
anesthesia patient. Airway obstruction and respiratory depression are the most common
and life-threatening complications in the immediate post-anesthesia period.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of airway obstruction in
the PACU?
A. Laryngospasm
B. Bronchospasm
,C. Tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx
D. Foreign body aspiration
E. Tracheal edema
C. Tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx
EXPERT RATIONALE: In sedated or unconscious patients, loss of muscle tone causes the
tongue to fall posteriorly and obstruct the airway. A jaw thrust or chin lift maneuver can
relieve this.
3. A PACU patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88%. The nurse should first:
A. Call the anesthesiologist immediately
B. Administer naloxone
C. Apply supplemental oxygen and reposition the airway
D. Prepare for intubation
E. Obtain an arterial blood gas
C. Apply supplemental oxygen and reposition the airway
EXPERT RATIONALE: The immediate intervention for desaturation is to optimize
oxygenation by applying supplemental O₂ and opening the airway. Escalation occurs if
the patient does not respond.
4. Laryngospasm in the PACU is best initially managed by:
A. Immediate intubation
B. Administering succinylcholine IV
C. Applying continuous positive airway pressure with 100% oxygen
D. Inserting a nasopharyngeal airway
E. Performing a cricothyrotomy
, C. Applying continuous positive airway pressure with 100% oxygen
EXPERT RATIONALE: Positive pressure with 100% O₂ and jaw thrust is the first-line
treatment for laryngospasm. Succinylcholine is used only if this fails.
5. Which medication is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Neostigmine
C. Naloxone
D. Sugammadex
E. Physostigmine
C. Naloxone
EXPERT RATIONALE: Naloxone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly
reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, sedation, and analgesia.
6. A PACU nurse administers naloxone. The nurse should monitor the patient
closely because:
A. Naloxone causes permanent bradycardia
B. Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids, causing re-narcotization
C. Naloxone precipitates hypertension permanently
D. Naloxone causes bronchospasm
E. Naloxone increases intracranial pressure
B. Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids, causing re-
narcotization
EXPERT RATIONALE: Naloxone's duration of action is 30–90 minutes, shorter than many
opioids. The patient can become re-narcotized after naloxone wears off, requiring close
monitoring or repeat dosing.
, 7. Flumazenil is used to reverse the effects of:
A. Opioids
B. Neuromuscular blocking agents
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Barbiturates
E. Volatile anesthetic agents
C. Benzodiazepines
EXPERT RATIONALE: Flumazenil competitively antagonizes benzodiazepine receptors,
reversing sedation and respiratory depression caused by benzodiazepines such as
midazolam.
8. A patient in the PACU has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute and is
difficult to arouse. Which drug is most likely responsible?
A. Neostigmine
B. Morphine
C. Midazolam
D. Ondansetron
E. Ketorolac
B. Morphine
EXPERT RATIONALE: Opioids such as morphine cause dose-dependent respiratory
depression and sedation. A respiratory rate below 8 requires immediate intervention
and possible naloxone administration.
9. When assessing a PACU patient using the Aldrete scoring system, which of
the following parameters is NOT included?
