Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

Assessing a patient's readiness for discharge from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) involves several critical components, all of which are included in the correct answer. Each element plays a vital role in ensuring patient safety and promoting a successful recovery following anesthesia.

The stability of the patient's vital signs is crucial, as it provides immediate insight into their physiological status post-surgery. Healthcare providers monitor parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate to determine if these signs are within acceptable ranges.

Evaluating the patient's pain level is also essential, as uncontrolled pain can impede the recovery process and impact overall satisfaction with the surgical experience. If a patient is experiencing significant pain, further interventions may be necessary before they are deemed ready for discharge.

Furthermore, assessing a patient’s ability to void is critical, particularly for surgeries involving anesthesia, which can affect bladder function. Ensuring that the patient can successfully urinate indicates that they have returned to an adequate level of post-anesthetic recovery and minimizes the risk of urinary retention complications.

Each of these factors—vital signs stability, pain level, and ability to void—contributes holistically to a patient’s readiness for discharge. Therefore, all of these elements must be considered together in the assessment process