Postanesthetic Management Flashcards
(149 cards)
What are the elements of a post anesthesia assessment?
- Respiratory Function
- Cardiovascular Function
- Neuromuscular Function
- Mental Status
- Core Temperature
- Pain
- Post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
- •Hydration, bleeding, drainage, urine output
What is the origin of the Aldrete Scoring System?
First described in 1970, although not originally designed for ambulatory patients – later modified with the advent of pulse oximetry
What isthe scoring for Aldrete Scoring System?
Assigns a score of 0, 1 or 2 to activity, respiration, circulation, neurologic status, and oxygen saturation with a maximal score of 10
What is the Aldrete Scoring System needed for transfer?
A score of 9 indicates sufficient recovery for transfer
What are the components of the Aldrete Scoring System?
- Activity
- Respiration
- Circulation
- Consciousness
- Oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry
Review the Aldrete Scoring System.

Review N&P.
Box 55.4
What is true about Activity/Consciousness?
A patient’s intra-operative course may affect post-operative activity
What can affect Activity/Consciousness?
- Type of surgery
- Neuromuscular function
- Pain/Opioid therapy
What is something that can affect activity sfter surgery?
- Dressings/Splints/Casts Regional Anesthesia

What can affect neuromuscular function?
- Beware of patients who have been paralyzed intra-operatively.
- Sedation/amnesic properties of the anesthetic may be wearing off.
What is true about patients who are not moving?
Just because patients are not moving, does not mean they won’t hear what is being said around them.
What can occur if patients are not adequately reversed?
Residual muscle relaxation if not adequately reversed:
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory distress
- Aspiration
How can pain be managed?
Pain can be managed with intrathecal, epidural, regional or intravenous medication
What is important to do with pain therapy?
- Always safer to titrate small amounts
- Be mindful of treating pain in the PACU and walking away (PACU nurse may be distracted with other patient, alarms on?)
Keep in mind patients are more sensitive to opioids within the ______ after GA
first hour
What is a safer approach to Pain/Opioid Therapy?
Consider a multi modal approach
What is the dose of Fentanyl?
For acute pain, usually 25-50 mcg with repeating doses for effect
What is the onset of Fentanyl?
2-5 minutes (peak effect at CNS 3.6 min)
When can maximum respiratory depression with Fentanyl seen?
Max respiratory depression usually not seen for about 20 minutes
When can delayed repiratory depression with Fentanyl be seen?
Delayed respiratory depression with epidural or spinal opioids seen approx 12-24 hrs after administration
What is the treatment for Pain and Narcotization?
- Time and supportive breathing measures
- T-piece, CPAP/BiPAP, etc.
What medication can be given pain medication overdose?
Narcan/Naloxone
What is the elimination half time of Narcan/Naloxone?
60-90 mins (Flood)







