Practical considerations of intravenous sedation for the perioperative nurse

There has been a recent increase in the number and types of cases performed with conscious sedation in the operating room and in minor operative suites (endoscopy, plastics, etc.), with nurse administering conscious sedation to healthy, uncomplicated patients under the direction of a physician. The literature is replete with articles which proffer guidelines, discuss the basics of conscious sedation, the role of the nurse, training and competency issues, and policy development. This article provides perioperative nurses with some practical, hands-on information to aid them in providing safe, quality care to their patients. There are detailed sections which address required equipment, perioperative patient assessment and monitoring, and information on commonly used medications and their side effects. The author offers this information based on literature review, education, and experience, and does not reflect the official position of any one organization.