Why are NMBA's used with general anesthesia?

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are utilized in conjunction with general anesthesia primarily to relax the muscles, which is crucial for facilitating endotracheal intubation. When a patient is undergoing general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation is necessary to secure the airway and ensure that the patient can breathe adequately during the procedure.

The use of NMBAs provides muscle relaxation that allows anesthesiologists to more easily manipulate the trachea and insert the breathing tube without causing injury or discomfort to the patient. This muscle relaxation is particularly important in cases where the patient's natural muscle tone could make intubation more difficult.

While inducing sleep, promoting faster recovery, and enhancing pain relief are all important aspects of general anesthesia, they are not the primary roles of neuromuscular blockers. Instead, the main purpose is specifically to provide ideal conditions for intubation, thus ensuring a safer and more effective anesthesia experience.