Analgesia & Sedation *

Objectives (EM)

1. Given a patient in pain, assess analgesic needs in a structured fashion, using pain scales and objective signs (e.g., HR, BP, diaphoresis) and taking note of patient preferences and previous responses to analgesic regimens.
2. Given a patient with a painful condition, select appropriate techniques and agents for the condition (e.g., drugs, splints, local infiltration, peripheral or regional block) using the most effective/least dangerous combinations available.
3. Given a patient who requires strong analgesia, provide adequate analgesia tailored to the cause of pain using appropriate/multiple agents by appropriate routes, and in higher doses as required and titrated to pain relief.
4. Given a patient with a painful condition requiring sedation, ensure adequate analgesia is provided simultaneously.
5. Before performing procedural sedation, assess formally for risks of complications (e.g., airway, hemodynamics).
6. In a patient who is or has been sedated, monitor for desired effects and complications, titrating for effect and safety and preparing to manage over-sedation, then ensure post-procedure monitoring with safe and practical discharge instructions