After the surgery, the patient is transferred to the PACU. Functions of the nurse in the PACU are to

observe the amount of drainage from the surgical site.

assist the patient to maintain a patent airway.

keep the family posted on the patient's condition.

maintain safety for the patient while unconscious.

stimulate the patient to hasten return of consciousness.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : B,D

A. Observe the amount of drainage from the surgical site. While the nurse in the PACU should monitor for complications, the primary focus is on the patient’s immediate recovery, such as airway management and vital signs. Drainage is important but is usually addressed once the patient is stable.

B. Assist the patient to maintain a patent airway. The primary role in the PACU is to monitor and maintain the patient’s airway. Ensuring that the patient is breathing properly is the most critical priority immediately postoperatively.

C. Keep the family posted on the patient's condition. While family communication is important, it is not the primary function of the nurse in the PACU, as the focus should be on monitoring the patient’s immediate condition post-surgery.

D. Maintain safety for the patient while unconscious. The nurse in the PACU must ensure that the patient is safe while unconscious, including monitoring for complications from anesthesia and ensuring that the patient’s vital signs remain stable.

E. Stimulate the patient to hasten return of consciousness. While it is important to help the patient regain consciousness, this should be done gently. The nurse should not aggressively stimulate the patient, as anesthesia will wear off naturally over time.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Recovery care: Recovery is a component of postoperative care, but it does not encompass all aspects of care after surgery.

B. Postoperative care: Postoperative care begins after the patient leaves the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and continues until full recovery, including wound healing, pain management, and preventing complications.

C. PACU care: PACU care is a phase within postoperative care but does not represent the complete postoperative period.

D. Perioperative care: Perioperative care refers to the entire surgical experience (before, during, and after surgery), not just the final phase of recovery.

A. illuminate the interior body cavity in which the surgeon is operating or inspecting. B. allow electricity to penetrate the patient's body. C. provide safety by dissipating electricity from the cautery. D. illuminate the interior body cavity in which the surgeon is operating or inspecting.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Illuminate the interior body cavity in which the surgeon is operating or inspecting. This function is not related to the grounding pad. Illumination of the surgical area is typically done with surgical lights, not with a grounding pad.

B. Allow electricity to penetrate the patient's body. This is not the purpose of a grounding pad. The grounding pad is used in electrosurgery to safely direct electrical current away from the body to prevent burns or injuries.

C. Provide safety by dissipating electricity from the cautery. The grounding pad is used to provide safety in electrosurgical procedures by allowing electricity from the electrocautery to flow safely through the body and then dissipate. It helps prevent burns and injuries from the electrical current.

D. Illuminate the interior body cavity in which the surgeon is operating or inspecting. This is a repetition of answer choice A, which is incorrect. The grounding pad does not function to illuminate the surgical area.

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After the surgery, the patient is transferred to the PACU. Functions of the nurse in the PACU are to

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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