What equipment must be present when administering conscious sedation to a patient?
A patient undergoing conscious sedation should be under direct observation until recovery is complete. Equipment needed to monitor oxygenation; blood pressure; and heart rate, rhythm, and waveform should be present. Pharmacologic antagonists and commonly used agents, supplemental oxygen, a defibrillator, and appropriate equipment to establish airway and provide positive-pressure ventilation need to be readily available.
