HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

Which stage of Anesthesia could include vomiting?

1. I

2. II

3. III

4. IV

The correct answer is: II

The stage of anesthesia referred to is Stage II, also known as the excitement or delirium stage. This phase is characterized by the patient experiencing a heightened state of anxiety, involuntary movements, and possibly vomiting. During this stage, the patient may be semi-conscious and can still respond to stimuli, which makes it a time where reflexes, including the vomiting reflex, can be triggered. In contrast, Stage I is the stage of analgesia where the patient is awake and aware, with no loss of consciousness. Stage III represents general anesthesia where the patient is unconscious, and vital signs are steady, significantly reducing the chances of reflex actions like vomiting. Stage IV is the medullary depression stage, which is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular failure, making it an unstable period. Thus, Stage II is the only stage in which involuntary reactions like vomiting may prominently occur.