Practice Test GeeksABPANC - American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification Practice Test
← All ABPANC Flashcard Decks

ABPANC Perianesthesia Complications Flashcards

6 cards from real ABPANC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 ABPANC Perianesthesia Complications flashcards as text

  1. A patient in the PACU becomes agitated, tachycardic, and diaphoretic 20 minutes after receiving succinylcholine. Temperature is rising rapidly. What complication should the nurse suspect?

    Answer: Malignant hyperthermia

    Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening hypermetabolic crisis triggered by volatile anesthetics or succinylcholine, characterized by rapid temperature rise, rigidity, and tachycardia.

  2. What is the first-line treatment for malignant hyperthermia?

    Answer: Dantrolene sodium IV

    Dantrolene sodium is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia; it inhibits calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to stop muscle hypermetabolism.

  3. A patient emerges from general anesthesia with stridor and increased work of breathing. Which intervention is the priority?

    Answer: Apply jaw thrust and call for anesthesia provider immediately

    Stridor post-extubation indicates partial airway obstruction; a jaw thrust opens the airway while immediately summoning anesthesia support for potential reintubation.

  4. A patient develops hypotension (BP 80/50) in the PACU after spinal anesthesia. Which intervention is most appropriate as the initial response?

    Answer: Position the patient in Trendelenburg and administer IV fluid bolus as ordered

    Spinal anesthesia causes sympathetic blockade leading to vasodilation; Trendelenburg positioning and IV fluid bolus are first-line treatments to restore preload and blood pressure.

  5. Which assessment finding is an early sign of postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) in a PACU patient?

    Answer: Sudden onset tachycardia, dyspnea, and decreased SpO2

    Sudden tachycardia, dyspnea, and SpO2 drop are early warning signs of PE caused by obstruction of pulmonary blood flow.

  6. A patient becomes unresponsive with no palpable pulse in the PACU. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?

    Answer: Activate the emergency response system and begin CPR

    In a pulseless patient, immediate activation of the emergency response system and initiation of CPR are the highest priorities per ACLS guidelines.