Perianesthesia Nursing

Question 1

Perianesthesia nursing encompasses the care of the patient before, during and after anesthesia administration.
The departments where perianesthesia nurses practice include:

Answer 1

• Preadmission Testing Unit (PAT)
• Preoperative Care Unit
• Preoperative Holding
• Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Extended Care Unit

Question 2

Preoperative Interview – Can be done over the phone or at the hospital/ASC. Must be done sufficiently in advance of the surgical procedure so any tests can be performed.

Scope of the interview includes:

Answer 2

• Past surgeries
• Current medications including OTC and herbal medications
• Confirming surgical details conveyed by the surgeon
• Ask patient if they have any questions about the surgery itself

Question 3

Phase 1 Postanesthesia Care

What should the perioperative nurse know about a patient that is admitted to Phase 1 Postanesthesia Care?

Answer 3

• Airway – this is always the FIRST thing the perioperative nurse should do
• Monitor for BP, O2 saturation and heart rate
• Level of consciousness
• Pain and PONV

Question 4

The Aldrete scale determines the patient’s readiness for discharge including:

Answer 4

• Patient’s mobility
• Respiratory status
• Circulation
• Level of consciousness
• Pulse oximetry

Question 5

Standardized documentation formats provide adequate and purposeful information to ensure safe patient care transitions. Standardized transfers and hand-off protocols have the potential to reduce communication breakdowns.

Answer 5

SBAR: situation, background, assessment, recommendation