Nursing Standards of Care: Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

3. What is the minimum number of hours that a patient should be monitored for if a reversal agent is administered?
5. The site where a focused assessment should be performed (Q 15 mins for Phase I and admission & discharge for Phase II).
6. _____ is defined as a temperature ≥36°C - <38°C (≥96.8°F - <100.4°F)
10. In PACU Phase I, vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and respirations should be completed every five minutes x3, then every _____ minutes until Phase I discharge.
11. The Aldrete/modified Aldrete score that is the minimum standard for discharge from PACU Phase I.
12. In addition to change in condition, this is when a Head to Toe assessment should occur.
13. This state determines a patient’s phase of care, not geographical location.

1. Using the bair hugger is an example of this preferred method of warming.
2. For pain assessment and reassessment of the adult patient, it’s preferred to use the numeric scale and patient _____ pain levels.
4. An exaggerated response to protect the lungs from inhaling irritants or aspirating oropharyngeal contents that most commonly occurs during lightened anesthesia.
7. This is an approach to pain management [including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods] that is more effective than a single analgesic and reduces the need for and use of opioids resulting in fewer opioid adverse effects.
8. Extended _____ may be needed when caring for patients with diagnosed or suspected OSA.
9. In Phase I, this vital sign might be monitored for certain patient populations such as bariatrics, OSA, or patients at risk for opioid induced opioid depression (abbreviation).
14. In Phase II, vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and respirations should be completed on admission and prior to discharge. If a patient stays in Phase II for longer than an hour, then vitals are completed every _____ minutes until discharge.