A nurse is obtaining vital signs from a client who has just been transferred from the PACU to the medical-surgical unit. Which of the following findings should the nurse report?

Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) patients require close monitoring after surgery due to residual effects of anesthesia, analgesics, and physiological stress from the procedure. Vital signs are assessed frequently to detect early complications such as respiratory depression, hypothermia, bleeding, or cardiovascular instability. Bradycardia or hypotension after surgery may indicate medication effects or underlying complications that require prompt intervention. The nurse must identify abnormal findings and escalate care when necessary. Rationale: A. A heart rate of 52/min is considered bradycardia and should be reported, especially in a post-operative client recently transferred from PACU. This may be caused by residual effects of anesthetic agents, opioid analgesics, or vagal stimulation. It may also indicate early signs of decreased cardiac output and requires prompt evaluation by the provider. B. A respiratory rate of 16/min is within the normal adult range (12–20 breaths per minute). This indicates adequate respiratory function and does not suggest immediate post-operative respiratory compromise. Therefore, this finding does not require reporting. C. A temperature of 36.3°C (97.3°F) is slightly on the lower end of normal but is expected in post-anesthesia patients due to effects of anesthesia and intraoperative exposure. Mild hypothermia is common immediately after surgery and typically resolves with warming measures. This finding alone is not concerning. D. A blood pressure of 116/72 mm Hg is within normal limits and indicates stable hemodynamic status. There is no evidence of hypotension or hypertension requiring intervention. This suggests adequate perfusion and cardiovascular stability after surgery.