Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

Monitoring vital signs for indicators of potential respiratory distress is critical in a clinical setting. The correct choice includes respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, depth of breathing, and presence of accessory muscle use.

These specific vital signs are directly related to a patient's respiratory function. The respiratory rate helps assess how quickly a patient is breathing, which can indicate distress if it is too fast (tachypnea) or too slow (bradypnea). Oxygen saturation is a crucial measure of how well oxygen is being delivered to the body's tissues, with low saturation levels often signaling a need for additional respiratory support. The depth of breathing provides insight into whether a patient is able to take in adequate air; shallow breathing may suggest respiratory muscle fatigue or distress. Additionally, the use of accessory muscles in breathing—such as the sternocleidomastoid or intercostal muscles—indicates that the patient is working harder to breathe, which is a clear sign of respiratory distress.

In contrast, the other options include vital signs that do not provide direct indicators of respiratory status. Blood pressure and heart rate, while important, can be influenced by a range of factors unrelated to respiratory function. Similarly, urine output and blood glucose level are not relevant for assessing respiratory distress. Temperature and consciousness