Upon arrival of the patient to the post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU), which assessment does the nurse perform first?

Respiratory rate. Patients arriving to the PACU are often sedated and because of the risk of respiratory depression in sedated patients, a new patient in the PACU should be evaluated for respiratory status first and foremost to ensure adequate respiratory effort and ventilation. Assessment of the level of consciousness, level of pain, or urinary incontinence are secondary to assessment of the patient’s respiratory status.

Upon arrival of the patient to the post-anesthesia recovery unit ...

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Management of Care
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Category: Management of Care
Difficulty: 4

Topics: Delegation, Prioritization and Leadership Respiratory Assessment Communication & Documentation

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