[frogger828]

Hi everyone!

I am getting ready to go into the final quarter of my ADN program, which is the transition to nursing portion & I will have a preceptor. I just received the e-mail informing me that I have been assigned to PACU! I'm really excited, especially since this was one of my top 3 picks!
While I'm on break for holidays I am trying to review as much as I can so that I will be prepared for my exit exam & my boards. I thought while I had the time that I would try to review some things that would be pertinent to PACU nursing. Can you please suggest things that I should brush up on, certain meds to know, pointers, etc?

thanks in advance for any help...

[sharann]

How exciting for you!
Let's see. You should know the opioids and the antidoes. Morphine, Fentanyl, Demerol,Dilaudid and their doses. Narcan and Romazicon for reversal. Zofran, Droperidol for nausea. Know where the ambu bag and crash cart are located.
Know how to recognize signs of hypoxia and know arrythmia interpretation. The basics for the most part.

[frogger828]

Wow, thanks! I am getting more excited (and more nervous! ) each day that gets closer to my start date!

Happy Holidays!

[sharann]

Sure. It would help if this seasoned PACU nurse could spell!
Reversal agents for benzodiadepines(Valium, Versed) is Romazicon.
Reversing Opioids(morphine etc..) is Narcan.
You shouldn't worry about it, it takes a while to learn these things. The main thing is to be motivated and eager and ask alot of questions
Oh, a piece of advice, any time a teenage boy comes out, stand a couple feet away while he wakes up or you could get whacked!

[nellie_nurse812]

We have failed to mention the basics of the ABC's, the most important assessment in the PACU if you ask me. You better know the interventions too.............

[Siss]

If you need a reference book, the PeriAnesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum ed. Donna M. DeFazio Quinn and Lois Schick which is published by the American Society of PeriAnesthesa Nurses is an excellent reference book. I used it to study for CPAN as well as the ASPAN Standards of Care. It helped me a lot.

[DanceRN]

Know how to attach EKG leads, bp cuff and pulse ox. Not in that order.