Question

Shortly after surgical wounds were closed and dressed, and right before the patient was transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) she received neostigmine. What was the reason for which it was given?

a. Raise and support blood pressure during recovery
b. Raise or otherwise control bradycardia upon recovery from anesthesia
c. Restore normal neurotransmission in the brain, since it had been suppressed by the induction and anesthetic agents
d. Reverse skeletal neuromuscular blockade/paralysis
e. Suppress urinary bladder function to reduce the risk of postoperative bladder incontinence

Answer 1

Neostigmine was given to the patient to reverse the effects of the skeletal neuromuscular blockade caused by anesthesia, allowing for muscle function recovery after surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason neostigmine was given to a patient after surgical wounds were closed and dressed, and right before being transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), is to reverse skeletal neuromuscular blockade/paralysis. During surgery, drugs are used to induce muscle relaxation, which includes the paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The drug neostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which increases the level of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, hence counteracting the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents and allowing the patient to regain muscle function, particularly in breathing and moving the tongue.