A nurse has received a patient postoperatively into the recovery room. The patient is having difficulty waking up after surgery. What nursing assessment should be the priority based on the patient's response?
a. The patient's normal sleep habits at home
b. The patient's usual alcohol intake
c. Respiratory status and the anesthetics used
d. Cranial nerve function
ANS: C
The nurse should investigate the type of anesthetic used, because one of the side effects of inhalation anesthesia is respiratory and cardiac depression. Assessment of respiratory status is the priority.
Sleep habits are irrelevant to this clinical situation.
Alcohol consumption would have been assessed in the nursing history prior to surgery.
Cranial nerve function is irrelevant to this clinical situation.
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