Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What describes a patient classified as ASA 3?

1. A normal healthy patient

2. A patient with mild systemic disease

3. A patient with severe systemic disease that is not life-threatening

4. A patient who is brain dead

The correct answer is: A patient with severe systemic disease that is not life-threatening

A patient classified as ASA 3 is characterized by having severe systemic disease that is not life-threatening. This classification comes from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, which is used to evaluate the fitness of patients prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery. In this context, an ASA 3 patient may have medical conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, morbid obesity, or significant cardiac issues. While these conditions certainly elevate the risk associated with surgery or anesthesia, they are manageable and not immediately life-threatening. This classification helps healthcare providers to tailor their approach to anesthesia and manage the patient’s care more effectively. Understanding these classifications is crucial because they guide clinical decision-making and help predict possible complications during and after procedures. The other classifications describe significantly different health statuses; ASA 1 represents a normal healthy patient, ASA 2 indicates a patient with mild systemic disease, and ASA 4 indicates a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life. The understanding of these distinctions is vital for ensuring patient safety and appropriate medical care.