Because a patient receiving sedation might not always respond as intended, make sure you can recognize the different levels of sedation. The American Society of Anesthesiologists describes levels of sedation as follows:³

• Minimal sedation (anxiolysis) is a drug-induced state during which a patient responds normally to verbal commands. Cognitive function and physical coordination may be impaired, but airway reflexes and ventilatory and cardiovascular functions aren’t affected.
• Moderate sedation/analgesia (conscious sedation) is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which a patient responds purposefully to verbal commands, unaided or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. (Reflex withdrawal from a painful stimulus isn’t considered a purposeful response.) The patient doesn’t require intervention to maintain a patent airway, has adequate spontaneous ventilation, and maintains cardiovascular function.
• Deep sedation/analgesia is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which a patient can’t be easily aroused but responds purposefully to repeated or painful stimulation. The patient’s ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. The patient may require assistance to maintain a patent airway and may not have adequate spontaneous ventilation, but typically maintains cardiovascular function.
• General anesthesia is a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which a patient can’t be aroused, even by painful stimulation. The patient’s ability to maintain ventilatory and cardiovascular function independently is typically impaired. The patient is likely to require assistance to maintain a patent airway, and may need positive pressure ventilation because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function.