Essential Postoperative Patient Care: Prioritizing Safety and Comfort

The nurse is working on a surgical floor and is preparing to receive a postoperative patient from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). What should the nurse’s initial action be upon the patient’s arrival?

Upon the arrival of a postoperative patient from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), the nurse should prioritize several initial actions for the patient’s care and safety

Upon the arrival of a postoperative patient from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), the nurse should prioritize several initial actions for the patient’s care and safety. These actions include:

1. Greeting and introducing oneself: The nurse should greet the patient with a warm and friendly welcome, introducing themselves and establishing open communication with the patient. This helps build trust and creates a supportive environment for the patient.

2. Evaluating the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs): The nurse should perform an immediate assessment of the patient’s vital signs, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate. It is essential to ensure the patient’s airway is patent and that they have adequate oxygenation and circulation.

3. Assessing the patient’s pain level and comfort: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patient recovery. The nurse should assess the patient’s pain using pain rating scales, such as the numeric rating scale or visual analog scale, to determine the intensity and location of the pain. This assessment will guide subsequent interventions for pain relief.

4. Checking surgical site and dressings: The nurse should inspect the surgical site and dressings to assess for any signs of bleeding, swelling, redness, or infection. They should also document the appearance and quantity of any drainage on the dressings and reassess this periodically throughout the patient’s stay.

5. Verifying the patient’s identity and the procedure performed: To ensure patient safety and prevent any errors or misunderstandings, the nurse should confirm the patient’s identity and match it with the surgical procedure that was scheduled or performed. This can be done by comparing the patient’s identification bracelet and the surgical procedure documentation.

6. Reviewing the PACU nurse’s report: The nurse should carefully review the handoff report given by the PACU nurse, which typically includes critical information about the patient’s condition, anesthesia received, fluids administered, medication administration, and any potential complications or concerns. This will help guide the nurse’s continued assessment and care.

7. Assessing the patient’s level of consciousness and orientation: The nurse should assess the patient’s level of consciousness and orientation to time, place, and person. This helps evaluate the patient’s neurological status, identify any possible anesthesia-related complications, and establish a baseline for future assessments.

8. Ensuring patient comfort and privacy: It is essential to ensure that the patient is positioned comfortably in bed, with appropriate pillows or supports as needed. Privacy should also be maintained during the initial assessment and throughout the patient’s stay by closing curtains or doors and avoiding potentially embarrassing or compromising situations.

By following these initial actions, the nurse can establish a solid foundation for the postoperative patient’s care, ensuring safety, comfort, and a smooth transition from PACU to the surgical floor.

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