2. Inhalation Sedation

Question 1

Name some indications for IS.

Answer 1

Mild-moderate anxiety.
Needle phobia.
Gagging.
Traumatic procedures.
Medical conditions aggravated by stress.
Unaccompanied adults requiring sedation.

Question 2

Name some contraindications for IS.

Answer 2

Common cold.
Tonsillar/adenoidal enlargement.
Natural mouth breathers.
Severe COPD.
1st trimester of pregnancy.
Claustrophobia.
Limited ability to understand - learning impairment, young children.

Question 3

Normal breaths per minute.

Answer 3

12-16 breaths per min.

Question 4

What is the function of the reservoir bag ?

Answer 4

Emulates patient’s lungs showing rhythm of breathing - visibly moving with inspiration and expiration - used to monitor patient’s breathing.

Question 5

Name some of the safety features of IS device.

Answer 5

Air entrapment valve.
Oxygen flus button.
Oxygen monitor.
Reservoir bag.
Colour coding.
Scavenging system.
Pressure dials.
Pressure reducing valves.
One way expiratory valve.

Question 6

What are the advantages of IS ?

Answer 6

Rapid onset.
Rapid peak action.
Depth altered either way.
Flexible duration.
Rapid recovery.
No injection for sedation.
Drug not metabolised.
Some analgesia.
No amnesia.

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of IS ?

Answer 7

Expensive equipment.
Gases expensive.
Not potent.
Requires ability to breathe through nose.
Chronic exposure risk.
Staff addiction.
Difficult to accurately measure actual dose.

Question 8

What are some signs of adequate sedation (IS) ?

Answer 8

Relaxed.
Awake.
Reduced blink rate.
Laryngeal reflexes unaffected.
Vital signs unaffected.
Gag reflex obtunded.
Mouth open on request.
Decrease in spontaneous movement.
Decreased reaction to painful stimuli.
Verbal contact maintained.
Paraesthesia - lips, fingers, toes.

Question 9

Signs of over-sedation ?

Answer 9

Mouth closing.
Spontaneous mouth breathing.
Nausea.
Irrational/sluggish responses.
Decreased cooperation.
Incoherent speech.
Uncontrolled laughter.