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During perioperative care, the actions of the nurse contribute not only to patient outcomes but also to preventing and monitoring adverse events. Nurses should not only understand what may place a patient in a specified category but also should be able to interpret any complications each patient may face as a result of their assigned score and/or illness. With the education and utilization of the ASA Physical Status Classification System, a nurse can intervene when necessary and collaborate with other providers to ensure the best possible clinical outcome. Interpretations of a patient's categorization are important to nursing staff as they use the complete clinical evaluation to guide their patient monitoring and communicate effectively with other anesthesia care team members.[7] This categorization also applies to pharmacists and other health professionals who may be contributing to a patient's care plan. Studies have shown that interprofessional team communication failures continue to be a leading cause of adverse outcomes.[8] Therefore, an increased effort toward improving collaboration between nurses and physician anesthesia providers ultimately improves patient care.[9][10]

Nurses provide pre- and postoperative care in addition to monitoring changes in the anesthetic plan. As stated, nurses must understand the ASA Physical Classification System and what conditions patients may have that might increase their chance of adverse outcomes during the perioperative period. Nurses play a vital role in perioperative care as they closely monitor patients in the PACU for possible adverse outcomes. Nurses should integrate the patient's ASA categorization into their perioperative care plan and monitor for any adverse outcomes that may be associated with their illness.