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After surgery, you will be transported from the surgery room to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where a nurse will be present at all times to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. The nurse will also check your dressing and circulation. You will be encouraged to breathe deeply and cough to clear your lungs.
The nurses in PACU are specially trained to care for patients who are recovering from anesthesia. When you wake up, the nurse will tell you where you are and that your surgery is all over. The drugs used in anesthesia may cause you to have blurry vision, a dry mouth, chills and some nausea. You may also have a sore throat if a tube was placed in your windpipe.
Depending on the type of anesthesia you received, your knee may be painful. The nurse will ask you if you are having pain or nausea. Medication is available to help make you more comfortable. As you wake up, you will be aware of the nurse checking your bandage and your blood pressure. You will be attached to a heart monitor and an oxygen level monitor. You will hear these monitors beep. You may also receive oxygen through clear plastic tubing in your nose.
It is not uncommon for patients to experience some difficulty urinating during the first few hours following surgery. For this reason, you may awaken with a catheter (a small tube to drain urine) in your bladder. In some cases, oxygen will be given in PACU. You may also have an oximeter (a device applied to the tip of your finger) to check the amount of oxygen in your blood stream.
The incision on your knee will be covered with a thick bandage held in place with an Ace bandage. These bandages help control bleeding and swelling. You may awaken with your leg positioned in a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. The CPM machine enhances your recovery by moving the new knee through a controlled range of motion. Your surgeon will determine your use of the CPM machine.
You may have a small drain tube coming from your knee to collect blood from the operative site. You will have an IV through which fluid, antibiotics and pain medicine will be given.
Your stay in PACU will be from one to three hours, depending on the type of anesthetic you had and your individual reaction to it. Visitors are not allowed in PACU. Once awake, you will be transferred to the orthopaedic unit. Nurses will monitor your level of consciousness, vital signs, amount of drainage, circulation, positioning and comfort.
Your family will wait in the surgery waiting room until you leave PACU for your inpatient room. When you are released from PACU, surgery personnel will take you to your hospital room. After the nurse checks you in, your family may visit.
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