The use of neuromuscular blocking agents in critical care nursing practice

BACKGROUND: Recommendations on use of neuromuscular blocking agents include using peripheral nerve stimulators to monitor depth of blockade and concomitantly administering sedatives and/or analgesics. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate critical care nurses' practices in administering neuromuscular blocking agents. METHODS: A 16-item survey was mailed to 483 acute care facilities in the United States. Of these, 246 surveys (51%) were returned and analyzed to determine use of neuromuscular blocking agents, peripheral nerve stimulators, sedatives, and analgesics. Logistic regression analysis was used to find independent predictors of use of peripheral nerve stimulators. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of respondents reported long-term use of neuromuscular blocking agents in critically ill patients. Of those, 63% monitored the level of blockade with peripheral nerve stimulators. Reasons for not using peripheral nerve stimulators included unavailability of equipment (48%), lack of training (36%), and insufficient evidence that peripheral nerve stimulators improve care (23%). Predictors of use of stimulators were facilities with more than 150 beds (P < .001) and administration of neuromuscular blocking agents by continuous infusion (P < .001). Ninety-five percent of respondents reported using concurrent analgesics/sedatives always or most of the time. Facilities with fewer than 10 beds in the intensive care unit used concurrent analgesics/sedatives significantly less often than did facilities with 10 beds or more (90% vs 98%, respectively; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Small and large facilities differ in concomitant use of analgesics/sedatives and peripheral nerve stimulators. Education and research are needed to ensure that patients receive adequate monitoring and sedation during administration of neuromuscular blocking agents.

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Review and update of neuromuscular blocking agents

Critical Care Nurse ◽

10.4037/ccn1989.9.10.76 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 76-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

DD O'Brien

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Nursing Care ◽

Neuromuscular Blocking ◽

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ◽

Anesthesia Care ◽

Care Nurse ◽

Critical Care Nurse ◽

Blocking Agents

The patient arriving in the PACU or ICU following surgery requires vigilant and intelligent nursing care. The postanesthesia nurse or critical care nurse with an understanding of the neuromuscular blocking agents used in anesthesia care is best prepared to observe, evaluate, and care for this patient.

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Evaluating Conceptual Models for Use in Critical Care Nursing Practice

Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing ◽

10.1097/00003465-198707000-00001 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 195-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Dorothy E. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Nursing Practice ◽

Conceptual Models ◽

Critical Care Nursing ◽

Care Nursing

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A Step Ahead: Strategies for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing Practice

Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America ◽

10.1016/j.ccell.2005.01.005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 169-175

Author(s):

Amy Albano ◽

Sheila Elliott ◽

Paula Lusardi ◽

Susan Scott ◽

Diane Thomas

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Nursing Practice ◽

Critical Care Nursing ◽

Care Nursing

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A Dictionary of Nursing

10.1093/acref/9780198788454.001.0001 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Martin ◽

Tanya A. McFerran

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Nursing Practice ◽

Code Of Conduct ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Critical Care Nursing ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Care Nursing ◽

Reference Tool

Over 10,200 entriesThis bestselling dictionary provides comprehensive and authoritative coverage of all aspects of nursing. The new edition has been fully revised and updated to take account of recent developments in nursing practice and related fields. New coverage focuses in particular upon key areas such as nutrition, medical research, lymphology, and critical care nursing.Written by medical and nursing specialists, it provides concise entries on the theory and practice of nursing, and comprehensive coverage of the ever-expanding vocabulary of the nursing professions. As well as nursing-specific terms, there are also many entries in the fields of medicine, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, statistics, and pharmacology. Almost 100 illustrations, and 16 appendices covering the Code of Conduct 2015, the calculation of drug dosages, essential skill clusters, religion and nursing practice, recommended alcohol intake, and much more, help to make this an essential reference tool for all nursing students and professionals.

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