US Medical Term · emergency
Recovery Room
Sala de recuperación
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Recovery Room |
| Spanish (Español) | Sala de recuperación |
| Chinese (中文) | 恢復室 |
| Korean (한국어) | 회복실 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Phòng hồi tỉnh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Recovery room |
| Portuguese (Português) | Sala de recuperação |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ห้องพักฟื้น |
| Japanese (日本語) | 回復室 |
What it means
The recovery room, also called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), is where patients are monitored closely after surgery or a procedure requiring anesthesia. Nurses in the PACU watch your vital signs, pain level, and level of consciousness as the anesthesia wears off. You may feel groggy, nauseous, or cold. Family members are usually not allowed in the PACU initially, but a nurse will provide updates. Once you are stable, awake, and breathing well, you will be moved to a regular hospital room or discharged home. The length of time in the recovery room varies based on the surgery and your individual response to anesthesia.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
How long will she be in the recovery room after surgery?
¿Cuánto tiempo estará en la sala de recuperación después de la cirugía?
Can I visit my father once he is moved out of the recovery room?
¿Puedo visitar a mi padre una vez que lo trasladen fuera de la sala de recuperación?
I woke up in the recovery room and felt very cold and confused.
Me desperté en la sala de recuperación y me sentí muy frío y confundido.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026