Propofol for sedation in the endoscopy setting: nursing considerations for patient care

Intravenous sedation is routinely administered for endoscopic examinations to help alleviate patient anxiety and discomfort. The goal of moderate sedation is to provide patient comfort to facilitate the completion of the procedure. Nurse administration of intravenous meperidine and midazolam under the direct supervision of the gastroenterologist is the traditional method for achieving this outcome. More recently, physicians have been requesting monitored anesthesia care for the administration of propofol when performing procedures expected to be technically difficult. Propofol is a rapid acting sedative-hypnotic that produces the desired level of consciousness without the residual sedative effect that often persists with the use of benzodiazepines and analgesics. This article reviews current literature regarding the use of propofol for sedation of patients in the endoscopy setting, and highlights the trends in research that may impact future nursing practice.