Surgical & PACU Care
This post-op complication is suspected when the patient becomes hypotensive, pale, cool, and has a weak, thready pulse.
Hemorrhage leading to hypovolemic shock
The most common hallmark sign of asthma, caused by narrowed airways from bronchoconstriction.
Wheezing
This Hemoglobin A1C range indicates diabetes.
>6.5%
A CD4 count below this number defines AIDS.
<200
GERD results from dysfunction of this structure, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.
Incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
This is the primary priority during PACU assessment, because anesthesia places patients at risk for obstruction, hypoxemia, and hypoventilation.
Airway assessment
This life-threatening asthma sign indicates severe airflow obstruction: no air movement is heard.
Silent chest
This emergency complication occurs when glucose is high and urine ketones exceed 300 mg/dL.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
This term describes simultaneous low RBCs, WBCs, and platelets, common in HIV or chemotherapy.
Pancytopenia
Pain from a duodenal ulcer typically improves with this.
Food or antacids
In the PACU, a patient’s temperature rises rapidly and they develop muscle rigidity and increased CO₂ output. Name this emergency condition.
Malignant Hyperthermia
COPD is confirmed when this lung-function ratio falls below 70%.
FEV1/FVC ratio
The “Rule of 15s” is used to treat this condition.
Hypoglycemia
This classic rash appears across the cheeks and nose in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Butterfly rash
Pain from appendicitis most often localizes to this quadrant.
RLQ
This set of “five physiological parameters” must be met before a patient can be discharged from the PACU.
Activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation
This respiratory complication of COPD causes right-sided heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension.
Cor pulmonale
Name two microvascular complications of long-term diabetes.
Retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy (any two accepted)
This life-threatening respiratory infection is a common opportunistic infection in HIV patients.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
This upper urinary tract condition results from infection traveling from the bladder to the kidneys.
Pyelonephritis
Your patient calls out saying they “felt a pop” at their incision site and you see exposed bowels. Name the condition and the immediate intervention.
Evisceration — cover with sterile saline-soaked gauze and notify provider immediately
During a severe asthma exacerbation, these are the key interventions you must implement (name any three for full credit).
Oxygen therapy, SABA/combination neb (e.g., albuterol/duoneb), IV corticosteroids, IV magnesium sulfate, continuous pulse ox, positioning, pursed-lip breathing
Match each insulin type to the correct example:
• Rapid-acting
• Short-acting
• Intermediate
• Long-acting
Rapid: lispro/aspart; Short: regular; Intermediate: NPH; Long: glargine
Lupus can cause this serious renal complication, characterized by HTN, edema, and decreased urine output.
Lupus nephritis
This post-gastric surgery complication results in diaphoresis, dizziness, palpitations, and rapid gastric emptying.
Dumping syndrome