What should be your first course of action if you notice a sudden change in a PACU patient's condition?

In a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), the priority when noticing a sudden change in a patient's condition is to assess the patient immediately. This assessment serves several critical purposes: it allows the nurse to gather vital information about the patient's current status, including vital signs, level of consciousness, and respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Prompt assessment is crucial because it may reveal significant deterioration that requires immediate intervention or it may indicate that the change is less severe than it appears. Patient safety is paramount, and understanding the extent and nature of the change guides the nurse in determining the best course of action. Only after a thorough assessment should a nurse consider notifying the physician or calling for a rapid response team, based on the findings of the assessment.

Additionally, documentation is an essential part of patient care but should occur after the immediate needs of the patient are addressed. This sequence of assessing first ensures that the most critical need—the patient's health and stability—is prioritized.