PACU Responsibilities
The first priority assessment when a patient arrives in the PACU
What is Airway
The most common cause of hypoxemia in the postoperative period.
What is Atelectasis
The most common cause of postoperative agitation?
What is Hypoxemia
The most common postoperative complication related to the gastrointestinal system.
What is Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
The three major sources of surgical site infections (SSIs)
What are Exogenous flora, oral flora, and intestinal flora
3 functions the PACU nurse must monitor and manage
What are Respiratory, circulatory, and neurologic functions
This action should be taken if a patient shows signs of airway obstruction.
What is Perform a jaw thrust maneuver and remove the pillow
The two ways to prevent perioperative delirium in older adults
What are Screen for risk factors and avoid overuse of sedatives/opioids
These 2 interventions help to prevent postoperative ileus.
What is Early ambulation and limiting opioid use
The first priority action if an abdominal wound shows signs of dehiscence
What is Cover the wound with sterile saline-soaked dressings and report immediately
This position should be used to protect an unconscious patient airway and aid respiration.
What is Lateral "recovery" position
This is the treatment priority for hypotension caused by fluid or blood loss
What is Oxygen therapy
The Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) provide postoperative patients with
What is Immediate analgesia and maintenance of acceptable pain control
This is considered a normal urine output during the first 24 hours after surgery
What is 800–1500 mL
This is when Evidence of an SSI typically becomes apparent
When is 3rd to 5th postoperative day
This is the main cause of delayed emergence from anesthesia.
What is: Prolonged drug action, particularly of opioids, sedatives, or inhalational anesthetics
These are three common cardiovascular complications in the PACU.
What are Hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias
The signs of emergence delirium
What are Restlessness, agitation, disorientation, thrashing, and shouting
This intervention is needed for acute urinary retention if no voiding occurs within 6–8 hours post-surgery
What is Assess the bladder for fullness and consider catheterization if necessary
The primary goal of drain placement in surgical wounds
What is prevent redness, warmth, or drainage at the insertion site and avoid infection
The criteria used for discharging a patient from the PACU.
What are: Based on written discharge criteria, including stable vital signs and minimal complications
This intervention helps prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) postoperatively.
What is Early ambulation, pneumatic compression boots, and anticoagulation.
How does multimodal analgesia help with pain management?
What is using different types of analgesics to enhance pain relief and minimize side effects
This causes abdominal distention, and it can it be minimized how
What is decreased bowel motility or swallowed air; minimized by early ambulation
The discharge criteria for an ambulatory surgery patient
What are Must be mobile, alert, and capable of some degree of self-care