Factors to Consider Before Discharging a Patient from the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

What assessment findings must be present before a patient is discharged from the PACU?

Choose the correct answer:

A. Stable vital signs, awake and alert, adequate pain management, immediate postoperative complications addressed

B. Unstable vital signs, drowsy, unmanaged pain, postoperative complications unresolved

Answer:

A. Stable vital signs, awake and alert, adequate pain management, immediate postoperative complications addressed

To be discharged from the PACU, a patient must have stable vital signs, be awake and alert, have adequate pain management, and immediate postoperative complications addressed.

Before a patient is discharged from the PACU, there are several assessment findings that must be present to ensure their safety and readiness to leave. These include stable vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels, within normal range. The patient should also be awake and alert, demonstrating appropriate cognitive function. Additionally, the patient's pain should be adequately managed, and any immediate postoperative complications or side effects should be addressed.