RT Book, Section A1 Grecu, Loreta A1 Bittner, Edward A. A1 George, Edward A2 Longnecker, David E. A2 Mackey, Sean C. A2 Newman, Mark F. A2 Sandberg, Warren S. A2 Zapol, Warren M. SR Print(0) ID 1144133896 T1 Recovery of the Healthy Patient T2 Anesthesiology, 3e YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071848817 LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144133896 RD 2024/03/28 AB KEY POINTSThe postanesthesia care unit (PACU) requires specially trained personnel to recognize and respond to clinical problems of patient care in the immediate postoperative period.The PACU should be located in close proximity to the operating rooms to access key personnel in a timely manner.The majority of patients admitted to the PACU experience an unremarkable recovery and are discharged from the PACU without problems; however, a standardized report is useful to prevent omissions.Prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting is far more effective than rescue therapy.Effective postoperative analgesia should be initiated during the surgical procedure.Hypoxia is most often the result of residual effects of anesthetic agents, and can be prevented by administration of supplemental oxygen.Hypotension unresponsive to fluid resuscitation in a postoperative patient is most likely attributable to bleeding (unless proven otherwise).The quality of patient recovery and overall wellbeing is an essential component of the practice of all personnel involved in the PACU operations.