PACU Skills Checklist

PACU Skills Checklist
Answer Key

1. No Experience 2. Requires Supervision 3. Proficient 4. Can Teach Others

Respiratory

Rows	1	2	3	4
Respiratory assessment
Insertion/removal oral airway
Insertion/removal nasal airway
Administer O2
Nasal Prongs
Trache Collar
Mask with and without Mist
Face Tent
Nasal cannula
Mask
Ambu bag
Face tent
Use of Ambu bag
Setting up for use
Weaning from ventilator
Troubleshoot Alarms
Endotracheal tube
Tracheostomy
Nasotracheal
Oropharyngeal
Ability to measure pressure cuff
Ability to determine air leaks
Ability to determine placement
Upper airway obstruction
Bronchospasm
Aspiration
Pneumothorax
Hemothorax
Breath sounds
Care/maintenance Chest Tubes

Cardiovascular

Rows	1	2	3	4
ABG interpretation
Pulse oximetry
Doppler
Arterial lines
Swan-Ganz
CVP
Subclavian Lines
Cardiac output
Use of cardiac monitors
Recognizing arrhythmias
Interpreting 12 Lead EKG's
Cardioversion/defibrillation
Intra-aortic balloon pump
Care of immediate open heart
Care of 24-48 hr post-op open heart
Pre/Post op cardiac transplant
Post-op vascular surgery
Pre/post-op cardiac catheterization
Care of patients with pacemakers
Internal pacemakers
External pacemakers
Hypovolemic Shock
Cardiogenic Shock
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Inhalants
Injectables
Narcotics
Muscle relaxants
Reversal agents
Spinal anesthesia
Epidural anesthesia
Local anesthesia
Regional anesthesia
Intrathecal anesthesia
Epidural analgesia
Amioderone
Atropine
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Heparin
Insulin
Isuprel
Lidocaine
Nipride
Nitroglycerin
Procainamide
Sodium bicarbonate
Thrombolytics
Verapamil
Inserting IV's

IV Therapy

Rows	1	2	3	4
Start peripheral IV's
Set up for cut-down
Admin. of blood and blood products
Blood warmer
Obtaining peripheral venous blood
Obtaining blood from arterial line
Obtaining blood central venous line
Knowledge serum lab values
Cryoprecipitate
Packed red blood cells
Plasma/albumin
Whole blood
IV calculations/titrate drip rates
Use of infusion pumps
Broviac
Groshong
Hickman
Portacath
Quinton

Other Responsibilities

Rows	1	2	3	4
Charge nurse responsibilities
Isolation procedures/precautions
Use of restraints
Blood glucose monitoring
Pain management
Use of hypothermia blanket

Age Specific

Answer Key