Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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The incidence of laryngospasm in the PACU after extubation remains low despite the number of extubations that are performed annually. A study of general anesthesia patients conducted by Olsson and Hallen in 1977 & reported by Holmes et al (Am J Sports Med 19:365-371, 1991) showed the incidence of laryngospasm to be 8.7/1,000 patients. ⋯ Its etiology and thus its treatment differs from other forms of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The PACU nurse must be aware that any patient has the potential for postextubation laryngospasm, and must be prepared to initiate appropriate treatment of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Apr 1997
ReviewThe physiology and pharmacology of pain: a review of opioids.
Patients in the postoperative period are often inadequately medicated for pain. Appropriate nursing assessment and intervention is critical for controlling a patient's pain and preventing associated complications. ⋯ The three classes of opioids-opioid agonists, opioid agonist-antagonists, and opioid antagonists-are examined in detail. Included in the discussion are opioid receptor interaction with the various agents, dosages administration, and side effects.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Feb 1997
ReviewUnexpected awareness and memory in the perianesthesia setting.
Unexpected awareness and memory with general anesthesia are phenomena that can occur in the intriguing interface between consciousness and unconsciousness. Studies suggest that, for some patients, cognitive processing remains active even during deep anesthesia; that is, an apparently unconscious patient still may be registering information. ⋯ Post-traumatic stress disorder as well as medical malpractice litigation may result from awareness or memory during anesthesia. Implications for the use of opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants in the perianesthesia setting as well as nursing interventions addressing unexpected awareness or memory are discussed.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Feb 1997
ReviewMidazolam as a pediatric premedicant in the ambulatory setting.
In the preoperative setting, the nurse is responsible for the comprehensive evaluation and preparation of the patient. Among these activities, the administration of various premedications to achieve a physiological (eg, raise gastric fluid pH) or psychological (eg, reduce apprehension) effect is commonplace. ⋯ Several studies have evaluated the variety of routes by which midazolam can effectively be administered to the pediatric patient. A review of midazolam as a premedication specific to the pediatric population in the ambulatory setting is presented.