Upon admission to the post-anasthetic care unit (PACU), a client's Aldrete score (post-anesthetic recovery score) is 4 . Within 30 minutes, it has become 8 . The nurse recognizes this score means that the client:

Question

a. may be dismissed from the PACU
b. must be admitted to a critical care unit
c. needs oxygen
d. needs to remain in the PACU for further evaluation and care

Answer 1

A
The Aldrete score or post-anesthetic recovery score is a tool PACU nurses use to objectively assess the physical status of clients recovering from anesthesia; to be discharged from the PACU, the client must have an Aldrete score of 8 to 10 . Discharge from the PACU is determined by the postanesthesia nurse; if the client's Aldrete score is less than 7, an order for discharge must be written by the client's surgeon or anesthesia provider.