Moderate Sedation Practices

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-MSP

Hours: 1.25

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025

Learning Objectives:
Identify the levels of the sedation continuum and indications suggesting a patient is deeper than intended.
Define the periprocedural nursing responsibilities and considerations for administering medications during moderate sedation.
Recall the preprocedural considerations and recommendations for monitoring patients receiving moderate sedation.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: The Sedation Continuum

Levels of Sedation

Indications for Sedation and Analgesia

Primary Goal for Moderate Sedation

Review

Summary

Section 3: Considerations

Scope of Practice

Older Adults

Pediatric Patients

Review

Summary

Section 4: Preprocedural

Nursing Responsibility

Preprocedural Assessment

Airway Assessment

ASA Classification

Assessing Level of Consciousness

Baseline Aldrete Score

Fasting

Equipment Preparation

Review

Summary

Section 5: Medications

Drug Selection and Considerations

Benzodiazepines

Opioids

Propofol

Ketamine

Review

Summary

Section 6: Nursing Responsibilities

Patient Monitoring

Monitoring Level of Consciousness

Monitoring Ventilation and Oxygenation

Hemodynamic Monitoring

Post-sedation Monitoring

Discharge Criteria

Discharge Instruction and Education

Review

Summary

Section 7: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributors

References

Instructor: Brandy Verton, BSN, RN, CNOR

Brandy is a certified perioperative nurse with a background in both scrub and circulator roles across a variety of surgical specialties. She earned her BSN with summa cum laude honors from Capella University and has served as a Surgical Services Clinical Educator and Periop 101 instructor. Her early clinical experience on a postoperative and medical-surgical overflow unit shaped her commitment to patient-centered care and team collaboration. Throughout her career, she has contributed to hospital committees and process improvement efforts focused on safety, education, and quality outcomes. Brandy is passionate about creating practical, real-world education that helps clinicians feel supported in their work, build confidence in their skills, and continue delivering safe, effective care.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nursing Personnel; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.