What is the "BEST" post-operative position in pacu?

[NurseBobbyJack]

We have been asked on a test what is the "BEST" position to place the patient in after leaving surgery and entering/recovering in PACU. I know that there are a couple of positions used most frequently, but I chose the one that my book stated for my answer, but was told I was wrong and that the book is wrong and that "we just should have known" which position was best and that "it's the way it is done in the real world." We had no clinical experience at the time and the book wasn't contrdicted in lecture, so I don't know how we were supposed to have "just known." Can anyone tell me the #1 option that is used MOST frequently. I am aware that there are many and that it depends on the type of surgery so, you don't have to list all of them for me, just the one that you know to be the PREFERRED position. Sorry, if I sound upset. Just a little frustrated with an instructor.:argue:

[StudentNurseElle]

Sims, on their side, so the patient's tongue can fall forward. Never on any other position unless contraindicated

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We take most of our patients to PACU supine with the head elevated. Peds usually go out on their side with rolled blankets behind their backs to keep them there.

[NurseBobbyJack]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. That's funny. The two responses that I received back were the two that my book listed, with the sims listed first and the supine listed as "another" method. I chose Sims for that reason, but my instructor, Dr. Ego, said that it is ALWAYS supine. No lecture to contradict the book, though, and no second option allowed on the test question, either. FRUSTRATING. :angryfire

[TRR8021]

My guess was supine because when I've accompanied patients to surgery and recovery, they were always in that position. At least, that's been my experience so far. I haven't taken med/surg though so I didn't learn about it from lecture.

[bluechick112]

Doesn't it depend on the type of procedure? I mean, here in our PACU we have a bunch of different procedures coming through our doors. Colonoscopies always arrive on their side, eye cases (cataract, etc.) always arrive supine with HOB elevated, pain patients usually walk in by themselves and just sit in a chair.

That's annoying that the test question/answer contradicts what your book says and what you learned in lecture. If I were the professor, I would have given you that point purely because it obviously varies.

[wsp4905]

For NCLEX, aren't you going to use the answer your book said, rather than what your instructor tells you?

In my class, we are taught that what the book, says it how you will be tested on boards. How facility/hospitals do things are different many times and it can be confusing.

This is something you may want to clarify w/ instructor because you want to be learning what you will be TESTED on NCLEX with. It's also good to know variations on certain things because this will not be the first or last thing that comes up. YOU WANT TO KNOW the NCLEX ANSWER!!!