Question
The circulating nurse in an outpatient surgery center is assessing a client who is scheduled to receive moderate sedation. Which principle should guide the care of a client receiving this form of anesthesia?
The client should begin a course of antiemetics the day before surgery. The client should be informed that the client will remember most of the procedure. The client must never be left unattended by the nurse. The client must be able to maintain the client's own airway.
The client should begin a course of antiemetics the day before surgery. The client should be informed that the client will remember most of the procedure. The client must never be left unattended by the nurse. The client must be able to maintain the client's own airway.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In the context of moderate sedation, the most appropriate guiding principle for the care of a client receiving this form of anesthesia is:
**The client must be able to maintain the client's own airway.**
Moderate sedation allows a client to maintain their own airway and respond to verbal commands while providing an adequate level of sedation. It is essential for the client to retain some airway control and the ability to breathe independently during the procedure.
The other options provided are less appropriate in the context of moderate sedation:
- **The client should begin a course of antiemetics the day before surgery.** (While this might be beneficial in some cases, it is not a universal practice for all patients receiving moderate sedation.)
- **The client should be informed that the client will remember most of the procedure.** (Moderate sedation typically allows for some amnesia; thus, clients do not always remember everything that happens during the procedure.)
- **The client must never be left unattended by the nurse.** (While close monitoring is necessary, it may not always mean that the nurse cannot briefly step away if immediate assistance is available and the client remains stable. However, continuous assessment is crucial.)
Therefore, the correct focus for nursing care during moderate sedation is ensuring that the client retains the ability to maintain their own airway.
**The client must be able to maintain the client's own airway.**
Moderate sedation allows a client to maintain their own airway and respond to verbal commands while providing an adequate level of sedation. It is essential for the client to retain some airway control and the ability to breathe independently during the procedure.
The other options provided are less appropriate in the context of moderate sedation:
- **The client should begin a course of antiemetics the day before surgery.** (While this might be beneficial in some cases, it is not a universal practice for all patients receiving moderate sedation.)
- **The client should be informed that the client will remember most of the procedure.** (Moderate sedation typically allows for some amnesia; thus, clients do not always remember everything that happens during the procedure.)
- **The client must never be left unattended by the nurse.** (While close monitoring is necessary, it may not always mean that the nurse cannot briefly step away if immediate assistance is available and the client remains stable. However, continuous assessment is crucial.)
Therefore, the correct focus for nursing care during moderate sedation is ensuring that the client retains the ability to maintain their own airway.