Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs intensive care unit nurse

Differences between post-anesthesia care unit nurse and intensive care unit nurse duties and responsibilities

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage patients' pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and monitoring patients' responses.
• Do preop teaching, draw labs and perform EKG's prior to surgery.
• Maintain and care for arterial/venous sheaths sites, as well as medication titration pre and post op.
• Provide leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of the care provide by PACU nursing and ancillary staff.
• Assess post-operative surgical patients for anesthesia complications
• Monitor for hemorrhagic changes and lingering affects of anesthesia.
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Intensive care unit nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage pre- and post-surgical care, specifically for GI disorders.
• Manage patients who suffer respiratory/cardiac arrest per ACLS protocol.
• Manage patients requiring blood transfusions, iv antibiotic therapy, complications from chemotherapy and radiation.
• Care for cardiac patients in CCU.
• Incorporate ACLS and BLS algorithms on a frequent basis.
• Provide care to ventilator dependent patients, tracheal care, and ICP monitoring.
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