Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the ASPAN Perianesthesia Practice Exchange Page
Designed for nurses in the PACU and perioperative settings, this resource offers detailed guidance, expert commentary, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing to support safe, high-quality patient care. Here, you can browse frequently asked questions, explore best practices, and submit your own clinical inquiries to ASPAN content experts. This is your space to connect, learn, and ensure the highest standard of care for your patients.
If you do not find the answer to your question, please feel free to submit it to ASPAN's Clinical Practice Network.
Question of the Month:
Q: What constitutes a proper handoff in the PACU? How should breaks be managed?
A: A proper handoff in the PACU is defined by ASPAN as the transfer and acceptance of patient care responsibility through effective communication. A key component of this process is providing the receiving nurse an opportunity to ask questions and review all relevant patient information to ensure continuity and safety of care.
When a nurse takes a break during Phase 1 recovery, the patient remains under continuous monitoring and must stay within the assigned nurse’s line of sight. Before leaving, the nurse must give a complete handoff to the covering nurse, who then assumes full responsibility for the patient’s care. The covering nurse should document care during this period, as they are actively managing the patient.
The phrase “watching the patient” can be misleading. A nurse who is on break or off the unit cannot monitor the patient; responsibility lies solely with the nurse physically present. Whenever care is transferred—even temporarily—this handoff should be clearly documented. Documentation practices may vary by facility, such as designated flowsheet sections or standardized documentation phrases.
Q: What is a stable airway?
Q. If I have an ICU patient, can I take another patient?
Q. How often does the Aldrete scoring need to be done?
Q. What is the minimal amount of time between patients?
Q. Who can the second nurse be in the Phase 1 when recovering a patient? Can I utilize the CRNA if my call partner is not there?
Q. What does ASPAN say about staffing after hours and on call?
Q. What are the staffing recommendations for Phase I level of care? Is it necessary to have two nurses present?
Q. What are the ASPAN staffing recommendations for pediatric patients in preop, Phase I, Phase II, and extended care?
Q. What is the standard for handoff report from the PACU to the receiving unit?
Q. What is best practice for a preoperative skin assessment for preprocedure/ preoperative patients?
Q. Can we put preop patients in the same area that we have patients recovering from anesthesia?
Q. What are the critical elements when accepting a patient from the anesthesia?