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: My patient received Narcan in PACU. How long does my patient need to stay in Phase I? What about sugamadex? Does that apply to the 2-hour window?
A: A minimum of two hours observation following the administration of a reversal agent unless the patient is transferring to the same level of care with equivalent monitoring capabilities.
If your patient is going to the ICU, the patient does not need to stay in the PACU. If the unit does not have the same monitoring capabilities, the patient needs to stay in the PACU.
Sugamadex Considerations
Sugamadex works differently from other reversal agents. It reverses neuromuscular blockade by binding to and inactivating the paralytic agent, and dosing is weight based.
If the dose is inadequate, this is typically clinically apparent through signs such as poor muscle tone and inadequate ventilation. After sugamadex is administered, monitor the patient for adequate ventilation and return of muscle movement. Once the patient meets Phase I criteria, they may transfer to the next phase of care.
Q: Is there a statement on patients that bypass Phase I? What are the criteria?
Q: Our facility has told us that the pre-op RNs are going to give moderate sedation in the OR for our eye cases. We have not had any training in moderate sedation. Should we be concerned?
Q: What constitutes a proper handoff in the PACU? How should breaks be managed?
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 amQ: What is a stable airway?ort 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?