Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs surgical nurse

Differences between post-anesthesia care unit nurse and surgical 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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Surgical nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage GI bleeds, asthmatics, bowel resections, fractures, patients with chest and feeding tubes.
• Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
• Maintain BLS, NRP, ACLS
• Prepare patients for procedures, initiate and maintain intravenous therapy, and obtain 12-lead EKG.
• Establish care plans and perform care for ICU, CCU, cardiac, and neurological patients.
• Serve as a BLS/ ACLS instructor.
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