Critical care nursing quarterly
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The Food and Drug Administration, drug manufacturers, and critical care experts recommend using peripheral nerve stimulators (PNSs) to monitor depth of blockade when administering neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs). This study evaluates critical care nurses' practices regarding use of PNSs, identifies problems associated with their use, and determines other methods of assessing level of blockade to guide medication titration. ⋯ In facilities using NMBAs, 63% monitored blockade level with aPNS. Because of practice disparities and monitoring problems, further education and research are needed to ensure adequate monitoring during NMBA administration.
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Heideggerian hermeneutics is used to illuminate the dialogues of 23 participants who experienced the death of a family member in the critical care unit within the past year. Those constructs that were considered helpful and satisfying during the process of losing the family member included information from the hospital staff, support from the family, and unrestricted visits. ⋯ Constructs that were considered helpful and satisfying in the time since death were family, friends, and clergy. Those that were considered unhelpful and dissatisfying since death included legal/financial problems, dealing with bureaucracies, dealing with other bereaved family members, funeral homes, and organ donation.