Advanced emergency nursing journal
-
Rapid sequence intubation is a stepwise process developed to assist health care providers in placing emergent artificial airways for patients requiring assisted ventilation. This practice includes routine administration of sedative and neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) medications for patient comfort during endotracheal tube placement. ⋯ Recent drug shortages have forced many health care professionals to use alternative medications with which they are less familiar. The intent of this review is to familiarize health care providers with the pharmacology and adverse effect profiles of alternative sedative and NMBA medications used in emergent airway placement in light of recent drug shortages.