Question

A nurse is assessing a patient's status while in the post anesthesia care unit. Which patient manifestation is of most concern?

1)Pain
2)Incontinence
3)Mental confusion
4)Airway clearance

Answer 1

In the post anesthesia care unit, airway clearance is the most concerning patient manifestation as it poses a direct and immediate threat to the patient's ability to breathe and maintain life.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient's status in the post anesthesia care unit, a nurse must prioritize potential concerns that can impact patient recovery. Among the patient manifestations listed, airway clearance is of most concern because it addresses the patient's immediate ability to breathe effectively, which is essential for maintaining life. While pain, incontinence, and mental confusion are important to assess and treat, they do not typically pose an immediate threat to life in the same way that airway obstruction does. In the postoperative period, ensuring that the patient's airway is clear and they are able to breathe well is critical. The surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional will continually review recovery and care to address all of these concerns, but maintaining an open airway is a primary concern.