On The Gas, Mate!
PACU Panic
Instrumental Intelligence
Standards & Shenanigans
Body Parts & Brain Farts
100

This airway device is inserted blindly and sits over the laryngeal inlet to maintain ventilation

LMA (laryngeal mask airway)

100

This is the first assessment priority when a patient arrives in PACU

Airway patency

100

This instrument is used to grasp and hold tissue without causing crushing injury

Debakey forceps

100

The sterile field area considered non‑sterile on a gown

Back

100

This is the body part most likely to obstruct the airway in PACU when a patient is too relaxed

Tongue 

200

This induction agent is known for rapid onset and antiemetic properties but causes hypotension

Propofol

200

This multimodal analgesic is commonly given IV in PACU (or intraop) and reduces opioid requirements

Paracetamol

200

 This documentation must be updated every time an item is added to the field 

Count record

200

This is the minimum duration when using alcohol‑based rub that ACORN requires surgical hand antisepsis to be performed for

60-90 seconds

200

This is the nerve most at risk of injury when the patient’s arm is abducted beyond 90 degrees on the armboard

Ulnar

300

According to ANZCA PS18, this parameter must be monitored continuously for all patients under anaesthesia

Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

300

This postoperative complication presents with agitation, confusion, and restlessness, especially in older adults

Emergence Delirium

300

This instrument is used to clamp blood vessels and has a curved or straight jaw

Artery forceps

300

This is the standardised in-hospital emergency number across all Victorian health services

2222

300

This is the vessel most commonly cannulated for arterial blood pressure monitoring in theatre

Radial

400

This is the first‑line action when malignant hyperthermia is suspected during anaesthesia

Dantrolene

400

This medication is used in PACU to reverse opioid‑induced respiratory depression and must be titrated carefully to avoid acute pain and sympathetic surge

Naloxone

400

This is the most commonly used antiseptic agent for surgical skin prep in Australia due to its broad antimicrobial coverage

Chlorhexidine in alcohol

400

This is the ACORN‑approved method for pre‑operative hair removal

Clipping

400

This is the pressure point most vulnerable when a patient is placed supine without adequate padding

Sacrum

500

This part of the anaesthetic machine is responsible for converting liquid volatile anaesthetic agents into a controlled concentration delivered to the patient

Vaporiser

500

This life‑threatening complication is suspected when a patient in PACU becomes suddenly tachycardic, hypotensive and hypoxic after major orthopaedic or abdominal surgery

Pulmonary Embolism

500

This is the minimum required drying time for alcohol‑based skin prep before draping to prevent surgical fires

3 minutes

500

This is what must be performed if the count is incorrect and the missing item cannot be located after a full search, before closure?

X-ray 

500

This is the vessel most at risk when inserting the Veress needle at the umbilicus

Aorta

M
e
n
u