Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

The primary focus of the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nurse is to monitor patients for complications following anesthesia. This is a critical responsibility because patients recovering from anesthesia are at increased risk for various complications, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular changes, and pain management challenges. The PACU nurse’s role involves closely observing vital signs, assessing the patient's level of consciousness, pain levels, and overall stability to detect any adverse reactions or changes in condition promptly.

By prioritizing the monitoring of patients, the PACU nurse ensures timely interventions can be implemented if any issues arise, which is vital for patient safety and recovery. This aspect of care is central to the PACU environment, where patients are often vulnerable until they fully regain their baseline status after surgery and anesthesia.

Other roles, such as conducting preoperative assessments or planning future surgical interventions, are typically responsibilities associated with different areas of nursing or healthcare, while educating patients about discharge instructions occurs later in the care process, once the immediate post-anesthesia concerns have been addressed. Therefore, the focus of the PACU nurse is specifically on that critical window of monitoring and ensuring patients transition safely from anesthesia recovery to being ready for discharge or transfer to another unit.