Abstract

Tourniquets (TNQ) are used in many orthopedic procedures. When used correctly, they safely reduce blood loss in the surgical field and facilitate the cementation of the hardware placed in the various locations that need repair. One of the main negatives associated with TNQ use is pain. The research indicates that TNQ pain can begin as early as 30 minutes from the onset of application. TNQ pain does not resolve until deflation, and in many cases, pain persists for days. TNQ pain is associated with increased sympathetic stimulation, leading to hypertension and tachycardia that is unresponsive to analgesics. Modern medications like gabapentin and ketamine can be useful in preventing the increased pain signals transmitted by the C-fibers while decreasing activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA).

Author Details

Ian Perkins MSN, SRNA and Nancy Westbrook DNP, CRNA

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

Mixed/Multi Method Research

Keywords:

Tourniquet, Opioid, Ketamine

Advisor

Nancy Westbrook

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Samford University

Degree Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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Additional Files

Abstract.pdf (145 kB)

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