An overview of sedation for adult patients in hospital
Danielle Fullwood Senior practice development nurse, Liver intensive care, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London
Suzanne Sargent Writing, lecturer practitioner, hepatology, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London
Sedatives may be administered to patients in the hospital setting to provide comfort and reduce anxiety and pain. A variety of sedative agents can be used depending on the circumstances and the type of sedation required. This article provides an overview of the different levels of sedation, the most common pharmacological agents, used and the potential side effects and complications. The importance of patient assessment is emphasised.
Nursing Standard.
24, 39, 48-56.
doi: 10.7748/ns2010.06.24.39.48.c7819
Correspondence
danielle.fullwood@kch.nhs.uk
Peer review
This article has been subject to double blind peer review
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