Lidocaine-I've never seen this before

Last night when we intubated a pt with a brain bleed caused by a blow to the head the ED doc had us give lidocaine before the vec and sucs. I have never seen this before. Please share with me why he did this. I need some education.

:confused::confused: I'm so confused

[Pat_Pat RN]

It decreases intracranial pressure. I missed that on the TNCC test.

Check this link:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=lidocaine+intracranial+pressure&aq=4&oq=lidocaine+intra&aqi=g9

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

awesome info, thanks for responding

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

We do this in Nova Scotia for all intubations to decrease arrhythmias.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Last night when we intubated a pt with a brain bleed caused by a blow to the head the ED doc had us give lidocaine before the vec and sucs. I have never seen this before. Please share with me why he did this. I need some education.

:confused::confused: I'm so confused

Lidocaine is used to blunt the sympathetic repsonse to the intubation (which will also help to not increase ICP). We use it all the time in OR prior to intubation.