The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) provides critical care to patients immediately following surgery by monitoring vital signs, managing pain with medication administration, and ensuring patients meet discharge criteria before leaving the unit. Critical care nurses work in the PACU to care for acutely ill surgical patients as they recover from anesthesia effects like drowsiness and potential medication side effects before being safely discharged. Sources about the roles of PACU nurses, post-operative care, and requirements for critical care nurse education and salaries are referenced.

1. Post Anesthesia Care UnitBy: Desalyn Johnson

2. BreakdownPost-surgeryCritical Care NursesV/S, Pain managed, administration of medDischarge

3. Critical Care NursesCare for acutely and critically ill pts.Registered Nurse (RN)EducationSalary

4. Post-opDrugs can cause side effectsPt. is out of itAnesthesia effectsWalk after surgery

5. My Experience!!

6. Sourceshttp://www.discovernursing.com/jnj-specialtyID_95-dsc-specialty_detail.aspxhttp://health.ucsd.edu/yourhospitalstay/surgery/pacu.htmhttp://www.hssanes.org/for-patients/post-anesthesia-care-unit.htmhttp://www.nurseweek.com/careers/critical.asp