The post-anesthesia care unit nurse (PACU nurse) provides care for post-operative patients of all ages recovering from anesthesia, including general, regional, and local. The PACU nurse evaluates plans, implements, and documents nursing care, assessment for pain, maintains hemodynamic and neurological stability, and maintains a patent airway. Due to the possibility of rapid changes in a patient s physiological condition, PACU RNs are required to administer diligent care via monitoring, assessment, intervention, and continuous reassessment.
Direct care staff are required to complete all Hip and Knee Replacement Program curriculum and annual education module(s) assigned.