The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Bundle

PACU stands for: - Answer post-anesthesia care unit The primary purpose of the PACU is: - Answer ongoing critical evaluation and stabilization of pt. Upon admission, the pt must be: - Answer placed on/with EKG, pulse ox, BP cuff, and oxygen When a pt arrives in PACU, the ___ gives rep...

Role of the PACU nurse - Answer PACU nurse helps patients recover from the effects of anesthesia. (helps them recover ABC) Specifics: 1. Receive report from the anesthetist, Assess wound. 2. Monitor VS every 15 minutes and chart 3. Manage pain and n/v with doctor ordered meds. (IV push, oxyg...

What is Phase I? - Answer Immediate intensive care level recovery until standard PACU criteria are met What is Phase II? - Answer Lower level care that ensures patient is ready to go home What is Fast-Tracking? - Answer Allows for selected patients to bypass Phase I and go directly to Ph...

What are the 3 phases of recovery that occur in the PACU? - Answer 1)Immediate recovery phase: intensive nursing care provided. 2) less intensive care: patient prepared for self care in PACU or transfer to an inpatient unit or outpatient unit. 3) exntended care/observation unit: patient prepared f...

Meperidine (Demerol) 12.5mg every 15 minutes, IV prn is ordered for shivering in the PACU. Meperidine is available in 50mg/1ml. How many mililiters should be given? - Answer 0.25 mililiters Upon inspecting a patient's epidural insertion site, you notice swelling around the catheter. What shoul...

In Standard I, what is the surgical and anesthesiology staff responsible? - Answer Surgical responsibility: 1) problems relating to the surgery itself Anesthesiology staff responsibility; 1) airway 2) cardiovascular status 3) medical management What is the definition of Standard I? - Ans...

When comparing desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia at 1 MAC, which of the following parameters is most likely to be the same or similar following discontinuation of the anesthetic? - Answer time to orientation to person, place, time Which of the following tests reliably predicts recovery of ...

You know that nursing care in PACU is multifaceted and involves: - Answer A. monitoring the patient's physiological status B. intervening to ensure uneventful recovery from anesthesia and surgery C. providing a safe environment for the patient experiencing limitations in physical, mental, and e...

Which description illustrates the beginning of the postoperative period? a. completion of the surgical procedure and arousal of the patient from anesthesia in the operating room b. Providing care before, during and after surgery c. closure of the patients surgical incision with sutures d. Compl...

a 65 y.o male comes in for testing, scheduled for a radical prostatectomy in 3 days. He has a 45pk/yr of smoking. He also has some medicines for "heart palpitations" Tests needed for this pt include: - Answer EKG, hgb/hct, bmp, type&screen the following statements about pain management apply:...

Can you edit case tracking events after they have been documented? - Answer Yes, use the All Events button What does releasing orders do? - Answer Makes the orders active and able to be documented against. The pharmacy can see the medications they need to prep and verify. Orders are also send...

Describe the purpose of and evolution of the PACU? Deaths were typically due to? - Answer First PACUs were called recovery rooms. •50% of deaths which occur during the first 24 hrs after surgery were preventable by having a recovery room •Deaths typically due to respiratory obstruction o P...

When measuring the patient's response to external stimuli, the PACU nurse may use the _____________. A) Glasgow Coma Scale B) Aldrete scale - Answer Glasgow Coma Scale _______ from the PACU area is/are planned well in advance of surgery and includes patient education, transportation, and co...