The PACU study book built for the recovery bay.
A 12-week interactive orientation and 32-playbook bedside study library—plus a new 25-chapter comprehensive textbook currently in private editorial review.
Lifetime access. Included with an active Baddie RN membership. Account required to save progress.
12 chapter themes from first handoff to critical-care thinking.
- 1PACU role, workflow, handoff, and systematic assessment
- 2Airway anatomy, extubation risk, and airway emergencies
- 3Oxygenation, ventilation, capnography, and blood gases
- 4Hemodynamics, perfusion, rhythms, and shock thinking
- 5Neurologic recovery, delirium, and acute red flags
- 6Pain, sedation, opioid safety, regional care, and LAST
- 7PONV, temperature, malignant hyperthermia, labs, and renal care
- 8Bleeding, wounds, drains, and procedure-specific recovery
- 9Pediatric, older-adult, OSA, obesity, and special-population care
- 10Phase I and Phase II transition, teaching, and documentation
- 11Emergencies and the critical-care bridge
- 12Medication classes, prioritization, precepting, and integrated cases
Airway first. Then prove the trend.
Use the same airway-first sequence on every arrival, then trend rather than relying on one normal value.
PACU pearl
A normal oxygen saturation can lag behind hypoventilation; pair the monitor with direct assessment and capnography when ordered or indicated by policy.
Red flag
Stridor, apnea, rapidly worsening work of breathing, or falling oxygenation requires bedside support and immediate escalation.
Knowledge check
A drowsy patient is snoring and oxygenation is falling. What comes before charting?
Show answer and rationale
Stay at the bedside, reposition and open the airway, support oxygenation/ventilation, and call for help according to the patient response. Snoring after anesthesia may signal soft-tissue obstruction. Immediate assessment and basic airway support take priority over documentation.
Education that respects the bedside.
Study guidance only—not patient-specific medical advice or a substitute for orientation. Use current provider orders, facility policy, approved protocols, pharmacy references, and your scope of practice. Escalate deterioration and activate local emergency pathways.
Ready to build your PACU foundation?
Unlock the current 12-week interactive orientation, all 32 playbooks, progress tools, scenarios, and orientation companion. The comprehensive textbook remains a private review proof until release.
Get lifetime access · $39