Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Continuous capnography is the BEST practice for monitoring patients undergoing procedural sedation. It provides real-time information about the patient's ventilatory status, allowing for early detection of respiratory depression or apnea. This is crucial because sedative medications can suppress respiratory drive.

While pulse oximetry is important, it can lag behind capnography in detecting respiratory issues. Intermittent blood pressure checks, though necessary, don't provide continuous respiratory monitoring. Observing chest rise alone is subjective and may miss subtle changes in respiratory status.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American College of Emergency Physicians both recommend capnography for procedural sedation to enhance patient safety and improve outcomes.