Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

What is the priority nursing action for patients recovering from anesthesia?

1. Assessing level of consciousness

2. Administering pain medication

3. Checking vital signs

4. Encouraging deep breathing

The correct answer is: Checking vital signs

The priority nursing action for patients recovering from anesthesia is checking vital signs. This action is critical because vital signs provide essential information about a patient’s stability and physiological status immediately after anesthesia. Monitoring vital signs allows the nurse to detect any potential complications such as respiratory depression, cardiovascular instability, or changes in oxygen saturation, all of which can arise from the effects of anesthesia. Ensuring that these parameters are within normal limits helps in the early identification of adverse events, thereby facilitating timely intervention if necessary. While assessing level of consciousness, administering pain medication, and encouraging deep breathing are also important components of postoperative care, they are secondary to the assessment of vital signs. Vital signs offer a comprehensive overview of the patient’s immediate condition, and without stable vital signs, other interventions may need to be adjusted or postponed based on the patient's needs. Therefore, checking vital signs is prioritized as it lays the foundation for further nursing actions and the overall recovery process.