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.