Previously referred to as conscious sedation, moderate sedation is a drug-induced depression of consciousness in which the patient responds purposefully to verbal commands, either spontaneously or with light tactile stimulation. With moderate sedation, the patient can maintain a patent airway, protective reflexes (such as the ability to handle secretions without aspiration), adequate spontaneous ventilations, and cardiovascular function without interventions. 1,2
Moderate sedation is commonly administered to relieve anxiety, discomfort, or pain so that patients can tolerate unpleasant procedures. 1 In children and uncooperative adults, it may be used to expedite procedures that arent particularly uncomfortable but that require the patient to remain still.
Because predicting a patients response to sedation isnt always possible, health care providers must have an understanding of the different levels of sedation. (See Levels of sedation.)
In addition to the health care practitioner administering moderate sedation, this procedure requires the presence of at least one other person capable of establishing a patent airway, administering positive pressure ventilation to the patient, and summoning additional assistance if necessary. A person with advanced life support skills should be immediately available. 1,4
A patient receiving moderate sedation requires sedation monitoring before the procedure, throughout the procedure, and during the recovery period. Health care practitioners who are permitted by their scope of practice to administer moderate sedation should receive special training. 2,4,5,6 Those administering the sedation and who are responsible for the patients care should understand the pharmacology of the agents as well as the role of reversal agents. Those monitoring the patient receiving moderate sedation should be able to recognize associated complications, such as apnea and airway obstruction. 1 The health care practitioner responsible for monitoring a patient receiving moderate sedation or analgesia shouldnt have other responsibilities that would require leaving the patient unattended or that would compromise continuous monitoring during the procedure. 2,4
Some patients who require a procedure may not be appropriate candidates for moderate sedation and may require anesthesia thats monitored by an anesthesia care provider. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) devised the ASA physical status classification system to provide a uniform guideline for evaluating the severity of systemic diseases, physiologic dysfunction, and anatomic abnormalities to determine a patients risk of developing complications. 7 (See ASA physical status classification system.) Patients classified as ASA I, ASA II, and medically stable ASA III are commonly considered appropriate for registered nurseadministered moderate sedation. 4
Moderate sedation is commonly administered for procedures that are performed in many settings outside the operating room, including GI procedure units, interventional radiology suites, bronchoscopy suites, emergency departments, interventional cardiology suites, and critical care units. Regardless of the location, adequately trained staff and appropriate monitoring equipment must be available to ensure the patients safety.
Facility-approved sedation scale positive pressure oxygen delivery system supplemental oxygen administration equipment1 suction apparatus suction catheter pulse oximeter and probe vital signs monitoring equipment capnometer stethoscope cardiac monitoring equipment disinfectant pad emergency equipment (code cart with emergency medications, defibrillator, handheld resuscitation bag with mask, and intubation equipment)1,2 prescribed medications and reversal agents Optional: gloves and other personal protective equipment, IV catheter insertion equipment.
Make sure the room where the patient will be receiving the sedation has all the necessary equipment, including emergency care supplies. 1,2,6 Make sure all emergency equipment is readily available and functioning properly. 6 Inspect all equipment and supplies to ensure that theyre in proper working order before attaching them to the patient. 1 If a product is expired, is defective, or has compromised integrity, remove it from patient use, label it as expired or defective, and report the expiration or defect as directed by your facility.
NURSING ALERT Contact the anesthesia care provider if the patient has any of the following conditions: a history of respiratory or hemodynamic instability; one or more significant comorbidities; pregnancy; sleep apnea; inability to communicate or cooperate; multiple drug allergies; multiple medications with potential for drug interactions with sedative analgesia; or current substance abuse. Extra precautions may need to be taken with these patients, including additional monitoring and medication management. 4
NURSING ALERT Patients with obesity have special needs during moderate sedation because theyre at increased risk for complications owing to altered physiology. Consult with the anesthesia care provider. 1
NURSING ALERT Medications used for moderate sedation are considered high-alert medications because they can cause significant patient harm when used in error.46,47
The patient can become oversedated during moderate sedation. Other complications of moderate sedation include aspiration of gastric contents, respiratory depression or failure, and adverse reactions to the medication. Observe the patient for airway obstruction, respiratory depression, hypotension, and drug-specific complications.
Age and general health, in addition to such preexisting respiratory conditions as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and hepatic or renal dysfunction can increase the patients risk of adverse reactions. In general, older adults, because of decreased renal and hepatic function and relative loss of muscle, are at greater risk. Drug interactions may occur; opioids when used in combination with sedatives may produce a synergistic effect. (See Responding to complications of sedation.)
Document according to your facilitys documentation system and stated parameters, including preprocedure assessment findings, procedure and site verification, and time-out procedure; the name, dose, route, time, and effects of all medications administered; the patients LOC, ventilation, and oxygenation status; and the procedure start and end times. Documentation should also include vital signs at intervals determined by the type and quantity of medication administered and the patients condition. 4 Record any adverse reactions, the date and time a practitioner was notified, prescribed interventions, and the patients response to the interventions. Document teaching provided to the patient and family (if applicable), their understanding of that teaching, and any need for follow-up teaching.
Moderate sedation/analgesia
. (2021). In WoodA. (Ed.), Guidelines for perioperative practice, 2021 edition. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc. (Level VII)Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
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Nurse Advise-ERR, 11(2), 14. https://www.ismp.org/resources/side-tracks-safety-express-interruptions-lead-errors-and-unfinished-wait-what-was-i-doing?id=37Nursing services. 42 C.F.R. § 482.23(c)
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. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 51(RR-16), 145. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5116.pdf (Level II)Infection control. 42 C.F.R. § 482.42
.Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
. Chicago, IL: Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems. (Level VII)Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
. Chicago, IL: Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems. (Level VII)Patients rights. 42 C.F.R. § 482.13(c)(1)
.Application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures
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. American Journal of Critical Care, 19, 2837.Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
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. Chicago, IL: Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems. (Level VII)