Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

What vital sign is particularly important to observe in the PACU to guide treatment and discharge decisions?

1. Temperature

2. Heart Rate

3. Blood Pressure

4. Respiratory Rate

The correct answer is: Blood Pressure

Monitoring blood pressure in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) is crucial because it provides key insights into a patient's hemodynamic stability and cardiac function following surgery. After anesthesia, patients may experience fluctuations in blood pressure due to factors such as fluid balance, pain, and the effects of anesthesia itself. Maintaining adequate blood pressure is essential to ensure proper perfusion to vital organs. Too low a blood pressure can suggest hypovolemia or an adverse reaction to anesthetics, while excessively high blood pressure may indicate pain, anxiety, or inadequate anesthesia recovery. Assessing blood pressure helps healthcare providers determine when a patient is stable enough for transfer to a surgical ward or for discharge, thus directly influencing the patient's safety and recovery.