Question 12

In relation to neuromuscular blocking drugs – Discuss the factors that influence the speed of ONSET of neuromuscular block.

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College Answer

The question specifically asked for factors that influenced the speed of onset of neuromuscular 
block. This information is different to the factors that influence neuromuscular blockade in general which was what many candidates focussed on. It was expected candidates would 
address the main factors known to influence the speed of onset of neuromuscular block: -
potency of the agent used (inverse relationship to speed of onset); rate of delivery of the agent 
to the NMJ (blood flow / muscle group); and mechanism of the neuromuscular block (nondepolarising vs depolarising).