Knowra Procedural sedation Procedural sedation Medication-induced reduction in awareness and responsiveness during a procedure, usually without intended unconsciousness. Its depth can range from minimal anxiolysis to a state near general anesthesia.
Continuum of sedation : A progression from minimal sedation through moderate and deep sedation to general anesthesia, defined by responsiveness and airway support. Procedural sedation is managed by targeting a depth while recognizing that patients can move deeper than intended.
Analgesia : Reduction or relief of pain without necessarily causing loss of consciousness. Pain relief and reduced awareness are distinct goals, so sedation alone may not control procedural pain.
General anesthesia : A drug-induced state of unconsciousness in which patients are not arousable, often requiring airway or ventilatory support. Procedural sedation usually aims to preserve responsiveness, unlike general anesthesia.
Emergency department : A hospital department that evaluates and treats urgent illness and injury. Urgent procedures often require rapid sedation without the delays of a scheduled operating-room anesthetic.
Respiratory depression : Abnormally slow or shallow breathing that reduces effective ventilation. Sedative drugs can suppress breathing, making ventilation assessment central to safe care.
Benzodiazepines : A class of drugs that enhance GABA-A receptor activity, producing effects such as anxiolysis, sedation, and amnesia. They reduce anxiety and recall, often alongside an analgesic during procedures.
Airway management : Assessment and support of airflow and ventilation, from positioning and oxygen to advanced airway procedures. Rescuing a patient whose sedation becomes too deep requires airway skills and equipment.
Local anesthesia : Loss of sensation in a limited body area produced by blocking nerve conduction. It can numb the procedure site without reducing awareness, and may be paired with sedation.
Colonoscopy : An examination of the colon using a flexible camera inserted through the rectum. Sedation can reduce discomfort and awareness during this common endoscopic procedure.
Hypoxemia : An abnormally low level of oxygen in arterial blood. It is a serious potential consequence of airway obstruction or inadequate ventilation during sedation.
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