How often should a PACU nurse reassess pain after administering pain medication?

The optimal time for a PACU nurse to reassess pain after administering pain medication is typically within 30 minutes. This timeframe is crucial as it allows the nurse to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication in providing relief from post-operative pain. Pain medications, especially parenteral analgesics, may start to take effect relatively quickly, often within this 30-minute window, making it an ideal period for assessing the patient's current pain level.

Reassessing pain too soon, such as within 15 minutes, may not give the medication enough time to show its full effect. Conversely, waiting longer than 30 minutes, such as an hour or more, could delay necessary adjustments in the pain management plan, leading to inadequate pain control for the patient. Therefore, the 30-minute mark is aligned with best practices for pain reassessment in the PACU.