1. Post –operative care
Definition
• Post-operative care is the care that the patient receives after a
surgical procedure. The type of post-operative care that the
patient need depends on the type of surgery as well as the
patient’s history. It often depends upon pain management and
wound care.

2. Phases
• Immediate ( Post-anesthetic ) Phase (1)
• Intermediate ( Hospital Stay ) Phase (2)
• Convalescent ( After Discharge To Full Recovery )

3. Purposes
 To enable a successful and faster recovery of the
patient post operatively.
 To reduce post-operative mortality rate.
 To reduce the length of hospital stay of the patient.
 To provide quality care service.
 To reduce hospital and patent cost during post-
operative period.

4. Post - Operative Care Unit OR
PACU
PACU should be:-
• sound proof
• Painted in soft color
• Isolated
These features will help the patient to reduce
anxiety and promote comfort.

5. Phase 1
Immediate
(post-anesthetic)

6. Phase 1
• It is the immediate recovery phase and requires
intensive nursing care to detect early signs of
complications.
• Receive a complete patient record from the
operating room which to plan post operative care.
• It is designed for care of surgical patients
immediately after surgery and patient requiring
close monitoring.

7. Nursing management in post
operative care unit
I-Assessing the patient:
Frequent assessment of the patient for :- oxygen saturation,
pulse volume and regularity, depth and nature of respiration,
skin color ,depth of consciousness.
II- Maintaining a patent airway:
− The primary objectives are to maintain pulmonary
ventilation and prevent hypoxia and hypercapenia.
− Provide oxygen, and assesses respiratory rate and depth,
oxygen saturation.

8. Cont…
III-Maintaining cardiovascular stability:
− Assess the patient’s mental status, vital signs, cardiac
rhythm, skin temperature, color and urine output , Central
venous pressure, arterial lines and pulmonary artery pressure.
− The primary cardiovascular complications include
hypotension, shock, hemorrhage, hypertension and
dysarrythmias.

9. Cont…
IV- Relieving pain and anxiety:
− Opioid analgesic.
V- Assessing and managing the surgical site:
− The surgical site is observed for bleeding, type and
integrity of dressing and drains.
VI- Assessing and managing gastrointestinal function:
− Nausea and vomiting are common after anesthesia.
− Check of peristalsis movement.

10. Cont…
VII- Assessing and managing voluntary voiding:
− Urine retention after surgery can occur for a verity of
reasons.
Opioids and anesthesia interfere with the perception of
bladder fullness.