Peripheral nerve blocks: understanding the nurse's role.
This article describes the nursing care and management of patients during and after administration of peripheral nerve blocks. We review recommendations for patient monitoring, as well as the risks and complications associated with anesthetic agents. Several upper and lower extremity blocks, including the Bier block, are described. The nursing role in the use of the peripheral nerve stimulator is also explained. Throughout the discussion, nursing responsibilities are emphasized.
McCamant
Karen L
KL
University of Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA. k_mccamant@yahoo.com
D000075202:Contraindications; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005121:Extremities / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors