Pharmacological interventions for agitation in head-injured patients in the acute care setting

Agitation following head injury challenges nurses to provide patient safety and participation in daily care and therapies. Diagnosis of the underlying disorder which causes agitative behavior is essential for rapid and successful treatment. A combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are required to achieve this expected outcome. Propofol, lorazepam, midazolam and haloperidol are medications most commonly utilized in this patient care situation. The patient's sedation level should be monitored to avoid oversedation which may interfere with respiration and neurological status. Nurses need to understand the actions and adverse effects of these agents in order to advocate their proper usage in the agitated head-injured population.