Which is the priority initial assessment for a patient who is admitted to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) after surgery with general anesthesia?

Temperature

Heart rate

Respirations

Blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Temperature: While temperature monitoring is important, hypothermia is not the most immediate concern after general anesthesia.

B. Heart rate: Although heart rate should be monitored, it is not the first priority in assessing an anesthetized patient.

C. Respirations: Airway and breathing are the top priorities in the PACU. General anesthesia can depress respiratory function, increasing the risk of airway obstruction or hypoventilation. Ensuring adequate ventilation is the first step in assessment.

D. Blood pressure: Blood pressure is important but secondary to airway and breathing in the initial assessment.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hypertension: Blood loss leads to hypovolemia, which usually causes hypotension, not hypertension.

B. Hypothermia: While hypothermia can occur postoperatively, it is not the most direct result of blood loss.

C. Tachycardia: Blood loss leads to decreased circulating volume, triggering tachycardia as a compensatory response to maintain oxygen delivery.

D. Bradypnea: Severe blood loss is more likely to cause tachypnea (rapid breathing) rather than slow respirations.

A. Polyuria B. Delirium C. Osteoporosis D. Anxiety and depression

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Polyuria: COPD with chronic respiratory acidosis is not associated with excessive urine production. Instead, clients may experience fluid retention due to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).

B. Delirium: Chronic respiratory acidosis leads to CO₂ retention, which can cause confusion, drowsiness, and even delirium due to cerebral vasodilation and altered mental status.

C. Osteoporosis: While COPD patients may have osteoporosis due to steroid use or inactivity, it is not a direct effect of chronic respiratory acidosis.

D. Anxiety and depression: While common in COPD due to lifestyle limitations, anxiety and depression are not direct physiological effects of respiratory acidosis.

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Which is the priority initial assessment for a patient who is admitted to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) after surgery with general anesthesia?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is providing care to a patient in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) who lost a large amount of blood during a surgical procedure. Which assessment finding correlates to this postoperative complication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic respiratory acidosis due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect with this client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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