What is a common use of neuromuscular blockers outside of surgery?

The use of neuromuscular blockers for intubation procedures is a common practice due to their ability to induce muscle relaxation. This facilitates the insertion of an endotracheal tube into the trachea, especially in patients who may have compromised airway reflexes or in emergency situations where rapid sequence intubation is required. By temporarily paralyzing the muscles involved in respiration, neuromuscular blockers allow healthcare providers to secure the airway quickly and effectively, minimizing risk of injury.

Other options, while they may involve neuromuscular blockers in specific contexts, do not reflect the primary or most common use outside of surgery. For example, while sedation practices may involve utilizing neuromuscular blockers, their primary role is not as agents for sedation. Similarly, while they can be part of diagnostic procedures in very specific scenarios, this is not their main common application. Lastly, the use of neuromuscular blockers for pain management is not standard; they do not provide analgesia, but rather muscle paralysis, thus making intubation the most recognized context for their use outside of surgical settings.