The nurse is evaluating the client in the hospital's postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and ...

ANS: 2
The client must receive a composite Aldrete score of 8 to 10 before being discharged from the PACU. The nurse may anticipate that the client with an Aldrete score of 8 will be discharged back to his or her room on the nursing unit. If the client's condition is still poor 2 to 3 hours after surgery (an Aldrete score below 8), the health care provider may transfer the client to an intensive care unit. If the client's condition is still poor 2 to 3 hours after surgery (an Aldrete score below 8), the health care provider may lengthen the client's stay in the PACU until the score improves. A client with an Aldrete score of 8 is unlikely to return to the operating room for surgical evalua-tion.