The four phases of surgical care are preoperative care, intraoperative care, post anesthesia care, and:

A. Observe the amount of drainage from the surgical site. While the nurse in the PACU should monitor for complications, the primary focus is on the patient’s immediate recovery, such as airway management and vital signs. Drainage is important but is usually addressed once the patient is stable.

B. Assist the patient to maintain a patent airway. The primary role in the PACU is to monitor and maintain the patient’s airway. Ensuring that the patient is breathing properly is the most critical priority immediately postoperatively.

C. Keep the family posted on the patient's condition. While family communication is important, it is not the primary function of the nurse in the PACU, as the focus should be on monitoring the patient’s immediate condition post-surgery.

D. Maintain safety for the patient while unconscious. The nurse in the PACU must ensure that the patient is safe while unconscious, including monitoring for complications from anesthesia and ensuring that the patient’s vital signs remain stable.

E. Stimulate the patient to hasten return of consciousness. While it is important to help the patient regain consciousness, this should be done gently. The nurse should not aggressively stimulate the patient, as anesthesia will wear off naturally over time.

A. Ask a family member to take care of it. This is a reasonable option, but if a family member cannot be located, other procedures should be followed to secure the ring.

B. Tape it in place on his finger. Taping the ring on the finger is not advisable as it could create a risk of injury during the surgery and would not be secure. Rings should typically be removed or securely stored.

C. Inform him that the hospital cannot be responsible for its loss. While the hospital cannot be responsible for the loss of personal items, this does not address the need to remove or secure the ring before surgery for safety reasons.

D. Remind him it must be removed, and lock it in the narcotic cabinet. This is the most appropriate action. Jewelry should be removed prior to surgery to avoid injury, and it can be safely stored in a secure location such as the narcotic cabinet or a personal locker.