Misc Healthcare Topics
Post Anesthesia Care
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of XII pages
1. PACU
post anesthesia care unit
under auspices of anesthesia department
transition from intraoperative to post anesthesia
2. phase 1 of anesthesia recovery
immediate intensive care level recovery
cares for patients during emergency and awakening
continues until standard discharge criteria met
3. phase 2 of anesthesia recovery
less intense care than phase 1
ensures patient is ready for discharge
fast tracking directly to phase 2 appropriate for some outpatients
4. patient requirements before leaving OR
patent, stable airway
adequate ventilation and oxygenation
hemodynamic stability
5. admission to PACU essential steps
assess
attach to monitors
provide oxygen
measure/record VS
report to PACU nurse (standard 11)
6. PACU Handoff components
patients name, age, baseline mental status
diagnosis, surgery, surgeon
review pre-anesthetic assessment, VS, allergies, medical/surgical history, daily meds
anesthetic technique, anesthetic course, complications, agents used, intraoperative fluids (I & Os)
preoperative labs
timing/dose of meds (antibiotics, antiemetics, narcotics)
post anesthesia orders
7. frequent problems on emergence from anesthesia
airway obstruction
hypothermia/shivering
agitation/delirium
pain
N/V
autonomic lability
8. recovery from inhalation anesthetics
speed of emergence directly proportional to alveolar ventilation
speed of emergency inversely proportional to agents blood solubility
speed of emergence dependent on total tissue uptake - degree of metabolism, agent solubility, duration of
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
Post Anesthesia Care
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of XII pages
1. PACU
post anesthesia care unit
under auspices of anesthesia department
transition from intraoperative to post anesthesia
2. phase 1 of anesthesia recovery
immediate intensive care level recovery
cares for patients during emergency and awakening
continues until standard discharge criteria met
3. phase 2 of anesthesia recovery
less intense care than phase 1
ensures patient is ready for discharge
fast tracking directly to phase 2 appropriate for some outpatients
4. patient requirements before leaving OR
patent, stable airway
adequate ventilation and oxygenation
hemodynamic stability
5. admission to PACU essential steps
assess
attach to monitors
provide oxygen
measure/record VS
report to PACU nurse (standard 11)
6. PACU Handoff components
patients name, age, baseline mental status
diagnosis, surgery, surgeon
review pre-anesthetic assessment, VS, allergies, medical/surgical history, daily meds
anesthetic technique, anesthetic course, complications, agents used, intraoperative fluids (I & Os)
preoperative labs
timing/dose of meds (antibiotics, antiemetics, narcotics)
post anesthesia orders
7. frequent problems on emergence from anesthesia
airway obstruction
hypothermia/shivering
agitation/delirium
pain
N/V
autonomic lability
8. recovery from inhalation anesthetics
speed of emergence directly proportional to alveolar ventilation
speed of emergency inversely proportional to agents blood solubility
speed of emergence dependent on total tissue uptake - degree of metabolism, agent solubility, duration of
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
