PeriAnesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION ONE: PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES  1. Evolution of Perianesthesia Care  2. Standards, Legal Issues, and Practice Settings  3. Safety, Quality Improvement, and Regulatory and Accrediting Agencies  4. Research and Evidence-Based Practice SECTION TWO: PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT COMPETENCIES  5. Preoperative Evaluation  6. Preexisting Medical Conditions  7. Transcultural Nursing and Alternative Therapies  8. The Developmentally and Physically Challenged Patient SECTION THREE: LIFE SPAN COMPETENCIES  9. The Pediatric Patient  10. The Adolescent Patient  11. The Adult Patient  12. The Geriatric Patient SECTION FOUR: PERIANESTHESIA COMPETENCIES  13. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance  14. Anesthesia, Moderate Sedation/Analgesia  15. Thermoregulation  16. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting  17. Pain and Comfort SECTION FIVE: SYSTEM COMPETENCIES  18. Respiratory  19. Cardiovascular  20. Neurological  21. Endocrine  22. Gastrointestinal  23. General Surgery  24. Hematology  25. Renal/Genitourinary  26. Obstetrics and Gynecology  27. Ophthalmology  28. Oral/Maxillofacial/Dental  29. Orthopedics and Podiatry  30. Otorhinolaryngology  31. Peripheral Vascular Disease  32. Plastic and Reconstruction  33. Bariatrics  34. Trauma  35. Interventional Radiology and Special Procedures  36. Perianesthesia Complications SECTION SIX: EDUCATION AND DISCHARGE COMPETENCIES  37. Postoperative/Postprocedure Assessment  38. Discharge Criteria, Education, and Postprocedure Care

APPENDICES Appendix A: Certification of Perianesthesia Nurses: The CPAN® and CAPA® Certification Programs Appendix B: Testing Concepts and Strategies