What is the primary goal of pain management in the PACU?

The primary goal of pain management in the PACU is to keep the patient comfortable and prevent complications. After surgical procedures, patients often experience varying degrees of pain and discomfort, which can affect their physiological stability and emotional well-being. By effectively managing pain, healthcare providers can enhance patient comfort, which in turn helps to prevent complications such as increased heart rate, hypertension, and stress response that could hinder recovery.

Maintaining comfort also facilitates better participation in postoperative care, including physical therapy and mobilization, which are critical for recovery. This holistic approach is essential in the PACU, where patients are closely monitored for their overall condition after anesthesia. Therefore, the primary focus is on ensuring comfort while simultaneously minimizing risks and complications that may arise from inadequate pain control.