MDC IV (NUR2755) Rasmussen
University 2026 Complete Final Exam
PACU and Airway Exam
1. A patient arrives in PACU after general anesthesia. What is the nurse’s
priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Airway patency
C. Hair color
D. Pedal pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: The first priority in PACU is always airway and oxygenation.
2. Which finding requires immediate intervention in PACU?
A. Drowsiness
B. Snoring respirations
C. Mild pain
D. Slight shivering
Answer: B
Rationale: Snoring can indicate partial airway obstruction from the tongue
or soft tissue.
3. A postoperative patient is apneic in PACU. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding
B. Open the airway and support ventilation
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Recheck in 10 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: Apnea is an emergency and requires immediate airway support.
4. Which position is commonly used to help maintain airway patency in a
recovering patient?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Side-lying or head-tilted position as tolerated
C. Prone flat
D. Sitting upright only with legs dangling
, Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning helps prevent obstruction and supports breathing.
5. A PACU patient has oxygen saturation dropping to 88%. What is the best
first action?
A. Increase oxygen delivery
B. Remove the IV
C. Give pain medication first
D. Turn off monitors
Answer: A
Rationale: Low oxygen saturation requires immediate oxygen support.
6. Which assessment is most important to detect early respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory rate and effort
B. Hair texture
C. Bowel movement history
D. Blood type
Answer: A
Rationale: Rate, effort, and oxygenation are key respiratory indicators.
7. What is a common cause of airway obstruction in a sedated postoperative
patient?
A. Tongue falling back
B. Increased appetite
C. Hypoglycemia only
D. Elevated hemoglobin
Answer: A
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone allows the tongue to obstruct the airway.
8. A patient is restless and pulling at monitors in PACU. What should the nurse
suspect first?
A. Awakening from anesthesia, pain, or hypoxia
B. Normal hunger
C. Improved circulation
D. Urinary retention only
Answer: A
Rationale: Agitation may signal pain, oxygen deprivation, or emergence
delirium.
,9. Which postoperative finding is expected and usually not dangerous by itself?
A. Mild shivering
B. Complete apnea
C. Cyanosis
D. Severe stridor
Answer: A
Rationale: Shivering is common after anesthesia and may result from
temperature changes.
10.Stridor in PACU suggests:
A. Lower GI bleeding
B. Upper airway obstruction
C. Renal failure
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by narrowed upper
airway.
11.A patient has shallow respirations after opioid administration. What is the
priority concern?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Hyperactivity
C. Hypertension
D. Infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids can suppress respiration and ventilation.
12.Which medication reversal agent may be used for opioid-related respiratory
depression?
A. Naloxone
B. Vitamin K
C. Protamine
D. Dantrolene
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects.
13.A PACU patient is difficult to arouse. What should the nurse assess first?
A. Level of consciousness and airway
B. Hair growth
, C. Foot size
D. Appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased consciousness can threaten airway protection.
14.Which vital sign change is most concerning after anesthesia?
A. Mildly elevated heart rate from pain
B. Falling oxygen saturation
C. Slight temperature increase
D. Mild postoperative discomfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen desaturation is an early sign of respiratory compromise.
15.A patient coughs weakly and cannot clear secretions. What is the best
nursing action?
A. Encourage deep breathing, suction if needed
B. Give solid food
C. Remove oxygen
D. Lower the head flat
Answer: A
Rationale: Weak cough and secretions increase the risk of obstruction.
16.Which assessment best reflects airway adequacy?
A. Clear breath sounds and easy ventilation
B. Presence of bowel sounds
C. Urine output only
D. Skin turgor
Answer: A
Rationale: Breath sounds and work of breathing indicate airway and
ventilation status.
17.What is the most likely reason for delayed emergence from anesthesia?
A. Residual anesthetic or sedative effect
B. High fiber intake
C. Improved oxygenation
D. Anxiety alone
Answer: A
Rationale: Anesthetic agents can continue to depress the CNS after surgery.
University 2026 Complete Final Exam
PACU and Airway Exam
1. A patient arrives in PACU after general anesthesia. What is the nurse’s
priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Airway patency
C. Hair color
D. Pedal pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: The first priority in PACU is always airway and oxygenation.
2. Which finding requires immediate intervention in PACU?
A. Drowsiness
B. Snoring respirations
C. Mild pain
D. Slight shivering
Answer: B
Rationale: Snoring can indicate partial airway obstruction from the tongue
or soft tissue.
3. A postoperative patient is apneic in PACU. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding
B. Open the airway and support ventilation
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Recheck in 10 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: Apnea is an emergency and requires immediate airway support.
4. Which position is commonly used to help maintain airway patency in a
recovering patient?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Side-lying or head-tilted position as tolerated
C. Prone flat
D. Sitting upright only with legs dangling
, Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning helps prevent obstruction and supports breathing.
5. A PACU patient has oxygen saturation dropping to 88%. What is the best
first action?
A. Increase oxygen delivery
B. Remove the IV
C. Give pain medication first
D. Turn off monitors
Answer: A
Rationale: Low oxygen saturation requires immediate oxygen support.
6. Which assessment is most important to detect early respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory rate and effort
B. Hair texture
C. Bowel movement history
D. Blood type
Answer: A
Rationale: Rate, effort, and oxygenation are key respiratory indicators.
7. What is a common cause of airway obstruction in a sedated postoperative
patient?
A. Tongue falling back
B. Increased appetite
C. Hypoglycemia only
D. Elevated hemoglobin
Answer: A
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone allows the tongue to obstruct the airway.
8. A patient is restless and pulling at monitors in PACU. What should the nurse
suspect first?
A. Awakening from anesthesia, pain, or hypoxia
B. Normal hunger
C. Improved circulation
D. Urinary retention only
Answer: A
Rationale: Agitation may signal pain, oxygen deprivation, or emergence
delirium.
,9. Which postoperative finding is expected and usually not dangerous by itself?
A. Mild shivering
B. Complete apnea
C. Cyanosis
D. Severe stridor
Answer: A
Rationale: Shivering is common after anesthesia and may result from
temperature changes.
10.Stridor in PACU suggests:
A. Lower GI bleeding
B. Upper airway obstruction
C. Renal failure
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by narrowed upper
airway.
11.A patient has shallow respirations after opioid administration. What is the
priority concern?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Hyperactivity
C. Hypertension
D. Infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids can suppress respiration and ventilation.
12.Which medication reversal agent may be used for opioid-related respiratory
depression?
A. Naloxone
B. Vitamin K
C. Protamine
D. Dantrolene
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects.
13.A PACU patient is difficult to arouse. What should the nurse assess first?
A. Level of consciousness and airway
B. Hair growth
, C. Foot size
D. Appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased consciousness can threaten airway protection.
14.Which vital sign change is most concerning after anesthesia?
A. Mildly elevated heart rate from pain
B. Falling oxygen saturation
C. Slight temperature increase
D. Mild postoperative discomfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen desaturation is an early sign of respiratory compromise.
15.A patient coughs weakly and cannot clear secretions. What is the best
nursing action?
A. Encourage deep breathing, suction if needed
B. Give solid food
C. Remove oxygen
D. Lower the head flat
Answer: A
Rationale: Weak cough and secretions increase the risk of obstruction.
16.Which assessment best reflects airway adequacy?
A. Clear breath sounds and easy ventilation
B. Presence of bowel sounds
C. Urine output only
D. Skin turgor
Answer: A
Rationale: Breath sounds and work of breathing indicate airway and
ventilation status.
17.What is the most likely reason for delayed emergence from anesthesia?
A. Residual anesthetic or sedative effect
B. High fiber intake
C. Improved oxygenation
D. Anxiety alone
Answer: A
Rationale: Anesthetic agents can continue to depress the CNS after surgery.
