American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Multicenter Study
Intensive Care Nurses' Knowledge About Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in Patients With Respiratory Failure.
The recent increase in use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is set against a backdrop of concerns about harm associated with use of these high-risk drugs. Bedside nurses play a pivotal role in the safe and effective use of these agents. ⋯ Critical care nurses are knowledgeable about the importance of concurrent analgesia and sedation during use of NMBAs. Routes of elimination, duration of action, and adverse effects were less commonly known and represent areas for focused education and quality improvement surrounding use of NMBAs in the intensive care unit.