Which of the following is an example of phase 1 discharge criteria?

The phase 1 discharge criteria in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) focus primarily on ensuring the patient has returned to a safe physiological state following anesthesia. One of the crucial components of this assessment is the patient's ability to maintain their own airway. This is vital because compromised airway protection can lead to serious complications, such as the risk of aspiration or respiratory distress. A patient who can maintain their airway indicates a sufficient level of consciousness and muscular control, which is essential before transferring them to the next phase of recovery or to a different care setting.

While stable vital signs and the ability to walk unassisted are important aspects of recovery, they typically pertain to phase 2 discharge criteria, where the focus shifts towards a broader evaluation of physical recovery and readiness for discharge to home or another facility. Eating solid food is generally not required for phase 1 discharge, as that is an indicator of further recovery and readiness usually assessed later in the process. Therefore, the ability to maintain an airway is the key indicator for phase 1 readiness in the PACU.