PACU SKILLS CHECKLIST
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Job Description: Staff Nurse - RN - PACU/Recovery Room
Evaluates, may create and implement patient plan of care, and documents all nursing care for post-operative patient population Assesses patient for pain and maintains hemodynamic stability, neurological stability, and pain management. Administers medications within the scope of practice of the registered nurse. Establish patient care goals and provides necessary teaching to patient and family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills. Requires a minimum of an associate's degree and a license in the state of employment as a registered nurse. Utilizes ones experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks and direct patient care. Reports to a manager or charge nurse of the designated unit.
KEY: For each criteria
Score 1: Two plus years Expert Experience
Score 2: One-Two Years Current Experience
Score 3: Less than one year or Intermittent Experience
Score 4: Theory, no experience

CRITERIA SCORE
1234
EXPERIENCE
Admission to PACU
Physical Assessment of Body Systems
Pulmonary/Abnormal Breathing
Perform Suctioning
O2 Administration
Care of patient with Chest Tube
Postoperative Patient Care
Care of Patient with Tubes/Drains
Cardiovascular
Operate & Monitor Unit Equipment
Anesthesia Equipment
CHARTING
Computer
DARE
APIE
SOAPIE
FOCUS
Discharge Planning
Utilization Review
Chart Review/Audit
ADMISSION TO PACU
Initial assessment
Airway management
Proper positioning
Vital signs
Skin color, temperature, turgor
Neurological status
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF BODY SYSTEMS
Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Neurological
Gastrointestinal
Integumentary
MONITOR RECOVERY OF PATIENT FROM
General anesthesia
Regional anesthesia
Local anesthesia
PULMONARY
Auscultate breath sounds
Recognize abnormal breath sounds (eg.; Rates, rhonchi)
IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR ABNORMAL BREATH SOUNDS
Reposition patient
Pulmonary toilet
Bronchodilators, diuretics
Suction, O2
Airway insertion/management
RECOGNIZE ABNORMAL BREATHING
Assess respiratory rate, rhythm, depth, and symmetry
Labored, dyspneic
Obstructed
Laryngospasm
Insufficient reversal
PERFORM SUCTIONING
Oral
Nasal
Endotracheal
Tracheal
O2 AMINISTRATION
Face-trach mask
Nasal cannula
T-piece
ETT mechanical ventilator
CARE OF PATIENT WITH CHEST TUBE
Set up closed drainage system
Recognize air leak
Assess for subcutaneous emphysema 
         Measure drainage
         Troubleshoot problems
POST-OPERATIVE CARE FOR THE FOLLOWING
PATIENT POPULATIONS 
Thoracic surgery
Vascular surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Neurosurgery
Tonsillectomy/P.E. tubes
Major abdominal surgery
ENT surgery
Breast surgery
Genitourinary surgery 
         Hypospadias
         Circumcision
Gynecological surgery
Post-angiogram
Liver biopsy
Eye surgery
Cardiac surgery
CARE OF PATIENT WITH TUBES/DRAINS
Penrose drain 
         Salem
         Sump
Davol 
         Colostomy
         Jejunostomy
Ileoostomy 
         Jackson Pratt
T-Tube
Foley Catheter 
         Urethral
         Suprapubic
         Cystotomy
NG Tube
CARDIOVASCULAR
Placement and care of a patient on cardiac monitor
Arrhythmia analysis
Cardioversion and defibrillation
Assist with insertion of a temporary pacemaker
Care of patient with a permanent or temporary Pacemaker
Use of non-invasive temporary pacing equipment
Care of the patient with intravascular hemodynamic
Monitoring equipment 
         Pulmonary artery catheters
         Arterial catheters
         Swan-Ganz catheters
         Central venous catheters
         Subclavian lines
         Epidural catheters
Hemodynamic monitoring 
         Equipment maintenance
         Dressing changes
         Prevention of complications
         Leveling waveform analysis
Obtain and interpret 
         Cardiac output
         PA Pressure
         PCWP
         CVP
         LAP
Identify usual dosage, actions and side effects for 
         Antiarrhythmics
         Ionotropes
         Vasopressors
         Vasodilators
         Reversal Agents
         Muscle relaxants
         Beta-blocker
         Calcium channel blockers
         Inhalation agents
Calculate infusion rates in dosages ordered
Interpret blood lab values for 
         Electrolyte inbalances/ABG's
OPERATE AND MONITOR UNIT EQUIPMENT
Portable suction machine
Transport monitor
Automatic BP monitor
Blanket warmer/Bair Hugger
Sequential compression device
Pulse oximeter
Pee Wee weighing scale
Hyper/hypothermia blanket
Blood warmer
PACU stretcher
IV pumps
Invasive pressure monitors
Implements physician orders
Collaborate with surgeon, anesthesiologist with regard to patient care
Utilizes appropriate infection control measures
Practice universal precautions
Document interventions, outcomes, lab studies
MD notifications and follow-up care
Perform a discharge physical assessment 
         Level of consciousness
Pupillary reactions 
         Motor and sensory function
         Muscular strength (eg. Hand grasps, head lift)
ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT
Blood Warmer
BP Monitor
Dinamap
Omeda
Defibrillator
EKG Monitor
SAO2 Monitor
Nitrogen Controls 
         Tanks
         Wall Units
Thermia blankets

AGE SPECIFIC CARE
Please indicate the frequency with which you provide care for each age group inthis specialty area. 1234
Infant (Birth to 1 year)
Toddler (1-3 years)
Pre-school (3-6 years)
School Age (6-12 years)
Adolescent ( 12-18 years)
Young Adult ( 18-30 years)
Mature Adult (30-60 years)
Elderly (>60 years)

JCAHO: I acknowledge and understand JCAHO's list of "Do Not Use Abbreviations" : Yes No
The information I have given is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I have read and fully understand the job description. By signing below or submitting electronically, I attest that the information provided within this skills checklist represents a full and complete disclosure of information, and is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby authorize Sagent Healthstaff to release this skills checklist to client facilities for employment purposes.
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