ABSTRACT
Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies are common outpatient surgical procedures. After briefly discussing cholecystectomy and its indications, best practices in phase I, phase II, and phase III recovery are discussed. Typical pharmaceutical regimens for controlling pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting are summarized. By implementing best practices, nurses can prevent and recognize complications. The criteria for discharge, extended recovery, and inpatient admission are discussed, along with the required patient discharge teaching using the teach-back technique, as well as patient and family teaching needs in the immediate postoperative period. Nurses can optimize the patient's surgical experience and promote safety by implementing best practices in all phases of recovery from laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
