The nurse is caring for a patient in the intensive care unit who has been receiving neuromuscular junction (NMJ) blockers, sedatives, and analgesics for the past 2 weeks
The NMJ blocker therapy has been discontinued and the other medications are being reduced gradually. The patient is now alert and awake, communicating with his or her family by using paper and pencil. The family asks why the patient cannot sustain normal respirations. What is the nurse's best response? (Select all that apply.) A) "His or her muscles need to get their strength back again."
B) "This is a common occurrence in situations like this."
C) "He or she is likely to breathe better each day."
D) "The drugs created temporary muscle damage."
E) "He or she will not be taken off the mechanical ventilator until he is ready."
A, B, C, E
Feedback:
After 2 weeks of muscle paralysis, the muscles are weak and will take time to strengthen as the patient begins using them again. Profound and prolonged muscle paralysis is always possible; patients must be supported until they are able to resume voluntary and involuntary muscle movement. When the respiratory muscles are paralyzed, depressed respiration, bronchospasm, and apnea are anticipated adverse effects so the patient will remain ventilated until he or she can demonstrate adequate respiratory effort. The drugs did not damage the muscle, but lack of use has weakened them.
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