During recovery from anesthesia in the PACU, a patient's vital signs for the past hour have been blood pressure 112/82, 110/82, 112/80, 114/82; pulse 76, 78, 78, 80; and respirations 22, 24, 24, 26; her SpO₂ is 90%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily and is oriented when spoken to. Her surgical dressing is dry and intact. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to

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The patient's borderline SpO₂ and sleepiness indicate that the nurse should stimulate the patient and remind the patient to take deep breaths. Placing the patient in a lateral position is needed when the patient first arrives in the PACU and is unconscious. The stable BP and pulse indicate that no changes in fluid intake are required. The patient is not fully awake and has a low SpO₂, indicating that transfer from the PACU is not appropriate.

During Recovery from Anesthesia in the PACU, a Patient's Vital