1. The nurse is caring for a patient in preadmission testing. The patient has

been assigned a physical status classification by the American Society of

Anesthesiologists of ASA III. Which assessment will support this

classification?

a. Normal, healthy patient

b. Denial of any major illnesses or conditions

c. Poorly controlled hypertension with implanted pacemaker

d. Moribund patient not expected to survive without the operation

ANS: C

An ASA III rating is a patient with a severe systemic disease, such as poorly

controlled hypertension with an implanted pacemaker. ASA I is a normal healthy

patient with no major illnesses or conditions. ASA II is a patient with mild systemic

disease. ASA V is a moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the

operation and includes patients with ruptured abdominal/thoracic aneurysm or

massive trauma.

2. The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a

colonoscopy. The patient is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious

sedation) during the procedure. How will the nurse interpret this information?

a. The procedure results in loss of sensation in an area of the body.

b. The procedure requires a depressed level of consciousness.

c. The procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis.

d. The procedure necessitates the patient to be immobile.

ANS: B

Moderate sedation (conscious sedation) is used routinely for procedures that do not

require complete anesthesia but rather a depressed level of consciousness. Not all

patients who are treated on an outpatient basis receive moderate sedation. Regional

anesthesia such as local anesthesia provides loss of sensation in an area of the

body. General anesthesia is used for patients who need to be immobile and to not

remember the surgical procedure.