The number of minor surgical procedures being performed on an outpatient basis in practitioner offices or clinics has increased in recent years. This means that an increasing number of patients are receiving sedation and anesthetics outside of the hospital setting. As nurses, it is important to be knowledgeable in sedative and anesthetic pharmacology to ensure patient safety. This course provides an overview of what procedural sedation and analgesia is, what medications are used, and the nursing considerations to take before, during, and after procedural sedation and analgesia. 

This course is equivalent to two contact hours and can be easily accessed through a mobile device, computer, or laptop. 

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to: 

1. Identify the various levels along the sedation continuum. 
2. Assess patients to accurately identify their level of sedation. 
3. Recall the common medications used for procedural sedation, their indications/contraindications, their routes of administration, and reversal agents. 
4. Identify nursing considerations and interventions that should be included in sedation care planning. 
5. Recognize the warning signs of the most common sedation/anesthesia complications. 
6. Manage sedation/anesthesia emergencies using evidenced-based best practices. 

  Level 2. Basic Application of Skills and Concepts