Perioperative refers to the entire surgical experience from preoperative to surgery to postoperative within the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Postoperative refers to the time after surgery and includes the monitoring and interventions from the interdisciplinary team

PACU duties include stabilizing the airway and monitoring vital signs Nurses must intervene to manage PONV for patient comfort by administering medications, maintaining proper fluid balance through intravenous therapy, and educating patients

postanesthesia care unit (PACU) — hospital unit where patients are temporarily admitted after a surgery. postoperative phase — begins when the patient is transferred to the PACU and ends when the patient is transferred to another unit or discharged home. postoperative urinary retention (POUR) — inability to urinate after surgery even when the bladder is full. phase I PACU — accommodates complex surgical and high-acuity patients; also known as main or primary PACU.