Research Design, Biostatistics, and Literature Evaluation

In a study of ARDS, patients are treated with a neu-

romuscular blocking agent (NMBA) or placebo to

determine whether administering a NMBA within

the first 48 hours of presentation improves 28- and

90-day survival. The study enrolled an unequal

distribution of patients, with more patients having

severe ARDS than moderate and mild ARDS. The

post hoc analysis of the results showed a survival

benefit with NMBA administration for the patients

with severe ARDS. Which rationale best describes

why NMBAs should not be administered to patients

with mild to moderate ARDS?

ity rate and are therefore less likely to benefit

from the test treatment.

are inherently different from patients with

severe ARDS because of their etiology and

presentation.

manufacturer and need to be prioritized for nec-

essary medical indications.

social value to warrant treatment.