Because deep sedation and anesthesia carry a high level of risk, their administration is carefully planned. A sedation or anesthesia plan is developed to meet patient needs identified through pre-sedation or preanesthesia assessment. Patients' sedation or anesthesia care needs are communicated among care providers. 2 Sedation and anesthesia options and risks are discussed with the patient and family prior to administration. Patients' comfort with the sedation or anesthesia process depends on their understanding of their options and risks.
Education is part of the full explanation of sedation or anesthesia options and risks.
Only when patients have a complete understanding of sedation or anesthesia options and risks can they reach a level of comfort that enables them to provide informed consent. Each patient's physiological status is monitored during sedation or anesthesia administration. Physiological monitoring is often the only reliable source of assessment information for patients who have lost consciousness or undergo sedation or anesthesia . The patient's physiological status is measured and assessed throughout sedation or anesthesia to ensure appropriate physiological support. Monitoring methods depend on the patient's preprocedure status, sedation or anesthesia choice, and the complexity of the procedure.