Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPAN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The significance of monitoring a patient's temperature in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) is crucial, particularly when considering hyperthermia. An elevated body temperature may indicate underlying complications such as an infection, which can occur postoperatively due to various factors including surgical site infections. Additionally, hyperthermia can be a sign of malignant hyperthermia, a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to certain anesthesia agents. This condition is characterized by severely increased body temperature and can lead to serious health consequences if not identified and treated swiftly.

Understanding temperature changes in patients post-anesthesia is essential for nurses in the PACU setting. It enables them to provide appropriate interventions and flag potential issues early in the recovery process. Thus, monitoring and interpreting changes in patient temperature is a vital component of postoperative care.