THE ROLE OF THE NURSE IN SURGICAL PATIENT CARE IN A POST-ANESTHETIC RECOVERY ROOM: EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

The Post-Anesthetic Recovery Room (PACU) is the place where the patient should remain after surgery, under constant care and observation, until it regains awareness and stability of vital signs to prevent complications of the post-anesthetic period. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the experience of the nurse, who works in the PACU, in relation to the main complications and interventions in the immediate postoperative period (OPI). This was an experience report with a descriptive approach about the experience of the nursing professional in the care of surgical patients in the PACU. The results demonstrated professional experience according to the following considerations: main complications in the POI; difficulties experienced by the nursing professional in the face of care for surgical patients; nursing interventions in the face of complications and nurses' perception of their professional performance in the PACU. It is concluded, therefore, that the performance in the PACU requires qualified and qualified professionals technically and scientifically, taking into account the development of management work focused on the care, safety and quality of care provided to surgical patients in the OPI.