Postanesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU): nursing activities in early postoperative period
Section: LEARNING TO TEACH
Authors
1Laura Castro Varela, 2Marco Antonio Zapata Sampedro
Position
1Enfermera del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.2Enfermero del Centro de Salud Polígono Norte.
Contact email: In.ictv.ocvli@hotmail.com
Abstract
A postanesthesia recovery unit, often abbreviated PACU, is an area, usually connected to the operating rooms, designed to provide care for patients recovering from anesthesia, whether it is at a general, regional or local level.
Is attended by specially trained nurses who are responsible for the care of patients immediately after surgery and require an advanced level of clinical knowledge and experience.
Typically, a PACU nurse must be competent in monitoring vital signs, the management of postoperative pain, management of respiratory instability, hemodynamics, neurological problems, the surveillance of surgical site (for excessive bleeding, discharge, swelling, bruising), and the treatment of post-op nausea and vomiting.
In an environment in which missing any changes in a patient\'s condition could be life threatening, the PACU nurses must also be trained to think critically and efficiently, to be able to identify the risk of complications in postsurgical patients.
Finally, the PACU nurses are responsible for this task until patients regain consciousness, vital signs are stable and meet the criteria for discharge from the PACU.
Is attended by specially trained nurses who are responsible for the care of patients immediately after surgery and require an advanced level of clinical knowledge and experience.
Typically, a PACU nurse must be competent in monitoring vital signs, the management of postoperative pain, management of respiratory instability, hemodynamics, neurological problems, the surveillance of surgical site (for excessive bleeding, discharge, swelling, bruising), and the treatment of post-op nausea and vomiting.
In an environment in which missing any changes in a patient\'s condition could be life threatening, the PACU nurses must also be trained to think critically and efficiently, to be able to identify the risk of complications in postsurgical patients.
Finally, the PACU nurses are responsible for this task until patients regain consciousness, vital signs are stable and meet the criteria for discharge from the PACU.
Keywords:
anesthesia; nursing care; pain; Postanesthesia Recovery Unitpostoperative complications
Versión en Español
Título:
Unidad de Reanimación Postanestésica: actividades enfermeras en el postoperatorio inmediato
