Who is primarily responsible for monitoring patients in the PACU?

The primary responsibility for monitoring patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) lies with the Registered Nurse (RN). RNs are equipped with the comprehensive training and clinical judgment necessary to assess patients who have just undergone anesthesia and surgery. They are trained to recognize and respond to complications, manage pain, and ensure proper recovery as patients transition from the effects of anesthesia.

In the PACU, RNs assess vital signs, consciousness levels, oxygen saturation, and pain levels while also watching for signs of potential complications such as respiratory distress or changes in hemodynamics. Their role is critical in determining when a patient is stable enough to either continue recovery in the PACU or be discharged to a lower level of care or home.

While other healthcare professionals, like anesthesiologists, are involved in the patient's surgical care and can monitor patients, the ongoing, comprehensive assessment and management of the post-anesthesia stage primarily falls within the scope of practice of the RN. This ensures that patients receive the focused care necessary for a safe recovery period.