ABPANC ABPANC Perianesthesia Complications 3

Question 1

A patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea is recovering in the PACU. Which monitoring parameter is most critical?

Accepted Answer

Continuous pulse oximetry and capnography

Answer

Serum glucose every 30 minutes

Answer

Hourly urine output measurement

Answer

Intraocular pressure checks

Question 2

Which PACU complication is associated with prolonged use of a tourniquet during orthopedic surgery?

Accepted Answer

Tourniquet pain, nerve injury, and post-reperfusion swelling upon release

Answer

Hypertension and bradycardia from tourniquet inflation only

Answer

Hypoglycemia from metabolic suppression

Answer

Pulmonary edema from fluid shifts

Question 3

A patient in the PACU after bowel resection suddenly develops tachycardia, hypotension, and abdominal rigidity. What complication should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Anastomotic leak with peritonitis

Answer

Urinary retention

Answer

Medication reaction to antibiotics

Answer

Benign postoperative ileus

Question 4

Which intervention is most effective in preventing post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) after spinal anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Using the smallest gauge spinal needle and a pencil-point tip

Answer

Keeping the patient NPO for 24 hours

Answer

Administering IV dexamethasone prophylactically

Answer

Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position for 4 hours

Question 5

A patient begins to bleed excessively from the surgical site in the PACU with decreased platelet count and elevated PT/INR. Which complication does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Answer

Normal postoperative drainage

Answer

Superficial surgical site infection

Answer

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Question 6

A patient in the PACU after lung resection develops sudden tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side, absent breath sounds, and severe respiratory distress. What complication is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Pulmonary edema

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Pleural effusion