phase I? phase II?

[R.NICU]

Hi everyone, i'm a nursing student. I've been thinking alot about what specialties i'd like to go in and PACU has always been in the top 3. I understand what the PACU is for but what are the differences between phase I and phase II in PACU? Can someone please break it down? I'd appreciate it :-)

[NurseJR08]

Phase I is where the majority of patients come immediately postop. Patients are in Phase I on average about an hour (depends on many, many things). In our hospital, the patient gets to Phase I, we deal with the immediate airway issues (are they breathing, intubated, etc) and vital signs. When they have adequate pain management, not nauseated, mostly awake, they can go either to the floor or if they are an outpatient they go to Phase II.

In Phase II they get up into a chair, have a snack, walk up and down the hallway and get their discharge instructions and then go home.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

ASPAN.ORG

A great resource.

[CRIMSON]

My hospital is situated simular to NurseJR08. Patients are recv'd immediately postop into Stage I where airway is number one concern and pain management. They spend approximately an hour depending on if they are controlled in pain, nausea. They are then sent to their unit or if a day surgery patient where they are continued to be monitored for VS. They then have to ambulate, urinate and communicate as well as having nausea controlled and tolerate fluids/crackers. They are then given discharge instructions, IV removed and taken via w/c to vehicle. As a nurse tech II (RN student, 2nd year) we work in stage II and this gives you a great opportunity to get some hands on. I would suggest if your hospital offers a nurse tech program to sign up and request pre/postop.