The need for sedative therapy in the critical care setting is well established. It is an absolute therapeutic adjunct useful in decreasing both patient morbidity and mortality. Sedative endpoints, monitoring requirements, and recommended agents and dosages associated with sedation, however, remain poorly defined. Standardization is the key to optimal patient outcome at minimal cost. This article presents an overview of current trends and recommendations. Continuing research into these areas is strongly recommended to ensure consistent and safe practice.

Procedural Sedation↗

PubMed1994

Research priorities for all phases of postanesthesia nursing: a survey by ASPAN.

This ASPAN survey was conducted by Research Committee members regarding the future of research for postanesthesia nursing and asked this question: What do postanesthesia nurses view as priorities for postanesthesia nursing research in various phases of practice? The design for the study was the Delphi technique, which uses a multiple, sequential survey to reach consensus among a group of experts. Four rounds of questionnaires were used to survey volunteer participants (N = 54). The group of experts remained stable (N = 41) for rounds 2 through 4. Findings from the survey indicated several areas of priorities for postanesthesia nursing. Of the top 10 ranked statements, 4 related to discharge criteria. Another high-priority area identified was pain management, with 5 statements pertaining to this subject being ranked in the top 10. Based on this small sample of postanesthesia nurses, this study provides a beginning step for prioritizing areas of research necessary to expand the body of knowledge for postanesthesia nursing.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reversal agents to counteract muscle relaxation: nursing considerations.

Advances in pharmacology and technology over the last decade have fostered expanded use of muscle relaxants in critical care units and emergency departments. The neuromuscular blockade facilitated by these agents may be reversed pharmacologically, or may be spontaneously reversed endogenously. To ensure appropriate patient management, the critical care nurse, clinical nurse specialist, and acute care nurse practitioner must have a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of neuromuscular blockade and reversal, the medications involved in this process, and the critical patient assessment and management skills necessary to assure a positive patient outcome.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors↗