The nurse is evaluating the client in the hospital’s postanesthesia ca

The nurse is evaluating the client in the hospital’s postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and deter-mines that the Aldrete score is 8. Based on this assessment, the nurse anticipates that the client will:

1. Be sent to the intensive care unit
2. Be discharged back to his or her room on the nursing unit
3. Remain in the PACU until the score improves
4. Return to the operating room for surgical evaluation

ANSWER

ANS: 2
The client must receive a composite Aldrete score of 8 to 10 before being discharged from the PACU. The nurse may anticipate that the client with an Aldrete score of 8 will be discharged back to his or her room on the nursing unit. If the client’s condition is still poor 2 to 3 hours after surgery (an Aldrete score below 8), the health care provider may transfer the client to an intensive care unit. If the client’s condition is still poor 2 to 3 hours after surgery (an Aldrete score below 8), the health care provider may lengthen the client’s stay in the PACU until the score improves. A client with an Aldrete score of 8 is unlikely to return to the operating room for surgical evalua-tion.