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Moderate Sedation Certification Exam
Questions With Verified Answers
Moderate "Conscious" Sedation - correct-answer -A minimally depressed level of
consciousness induced by the administration of pharmacologic agents in which
the patient retains continuous and independent ability to maintain protective
reflexes and a patent airway and to be aroused by physical or verbal stimulation.
Levels of Sedation Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Minimal Sedation
2. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia
3. Deep Sedation/Analgesia
4. General Anesthesia
Minimal Sedation - correct-answer -1. Patient is able to respond normally to
verbal stimulation.
2. Airway and Spontaneous Ventilation is not affected and thus "normal"
3. Cardiovascular function is not affected
Moderate Sedation/Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Patient responds to verbal or
tactile stimulation
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2. No intervention to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation is adequate
4. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained
Deep Sedation/Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Patient responds to repeated or
painful stimulation
2. May require intervention to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate
4. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained
General Anesthesia - correct-answer -1. Patient cannot be aroused, even with
painful stimuli
2. Intervention required to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation is frequently inadequate
4. Cardiovascular function may be impaired
Goals of Safe Sedation - correct-answer -1. Maintain adequate ventilation,
homeostasis, and circulation
2. Maintenance of appropriate level of consciousness
3. Promote comfort by elevating pain threshold
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4. Patient Safety-be knowledgeable about possible consequences of respiratory
depression, airway obstruction, apnea, hypoxia, hypercapnia, bradycardia,
asystole, brain injury/death
5. Using the essential components required to conduct safe sedation
6. Understand the importance of a systematic approach to sedation that promotes
safety and efficacy.
Role of the Sedation Nurse - correct-answer -1. Pre-op Nursing Assessment
2. Intra-op Nursing Actions: medication administration; patient monitoring;
patient safety; procedure specific
3. Post-op monitoring during recovery
4. Follow post-op d/c criteria
5. Explain post-d/c written instructions
6. Follow-up
JCAHO Care Standard: Qualified Individuals conducting sedation must possess
education, training, and experience in? - correct-answer -1. Evaluating patients
prior to moderate or deep sedation
2. Rescuing patients who slip into a "deeper than desired" level of sedation or
anesthesia
3. Managing a compromised airway during a procedure
4. Handling a compromised CV system during a procedure.
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Pre-Operative Nursing Assessment Steps - correct-answer -1. Chart Review
2. Patient Interview
3. Physical Exam and Review of Systems
Pre-sedation Assessment Overview: Parts of the Assessment - correct-answer -1.
NPO Status
2. Chief complaint
3. Current medications
4. Drug allergies
5. H/O substance abuse
6. Concurrent medical problems
7. Communication Ability
How is Aspiration Risk Reduced - correct-answer -1. Pre-procedure fasting--
Defined as no food for 6 hours prior to procedure. May have clear fluids until 2h
prior to procedure.
2. Medication is titrated to maintain reflexes
What conditions place patient's at enhanced risks for aspiration with sedation? -
correct-answer -1. Obesity
Moderate Sedation Certification Exam
Questions With Verified Answers
Moderate "Conscious" Sedation - correct-answer -A minimally depressed level of
consciousness induced by the administration of pharmacologic agents in which
the patient retains continuous and independent ability to maintain protective
reflexes and a patent airway and to be aroused by physical or verbal stimulation.
Levels of Sedation Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Minimal Sedation
2. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia
3. Deep Sedation/Analgesia
4. General Anesthesia
Minimal Sedation - correct-answer -1. Patient is able to respond normally to
verbal stimulation.
2. Airway and Spontaneous Ventilation is not affected and thus "normal"
3. Cardiovascular function is not affected
Moderate Sedation/Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Patient responds to verbal or
tactile stimulation
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2. No intervention to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation is adequate
4. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained
Deep Sedation/Analgesia - correct-answer -1. Patient responds to repeated or
painful stimulation
2. May require intervention to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate
4. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained
General Anesthesia - correct-answer -1. Patient cannot be aroused, even with
painful stimuli
2. Intervention required to maintain patent airway
3. Spontaneous ventilation is frequently inadequate
4. Cardiovascular function may be impaired
Goals of Safe Sedation - correct-answer -1. Maintain adequate ventilation,
homeostasis, and circulation
2. Maintenance of appropriate level of consciousness
3. Promote comfort by elevating pain threshold
,3|Page
4. Patient Safety-be knowledgeable about possible consequences of respiratory
depression, airway obstruction, apnea, hypoxia, hypercapnia, bradycardia,
asystole, brain injury/death
5. Using the essential components required to conduct safe sedation
6. Understand the importance of a systematic approach to sedation that promotes
safety and efficacy.
Role of the Sedation Nurse - correct-answer -1. Pre-op Nursing Assessment
2. Intra-op Nursing Actions: medication administration; patient monitoring;
patient safety; procedure specific
3. Post-op monitoring during recovery
4. Follow post-op d/c criteria
5. Explain post-d/c written instructions
6. Follow-up
JCAHO Care Standard: Qualified Individuals conducting sedation must possess
education, training, and experience in? - correct-answer -1. Evaluating patients
prior to moderate or deep sedation
2. Rescuing patients who slip into a "deeper than desired" level of sedation or
anesthesia
3. Managing a compromised airway during a procedure
4. Handling a compromised CV system during a procedure.
, 4|Page
Pre-Operative Nursing Assessment Steps - correct-answer -1. Chart Review
2. Patient Interview
3. Physical Exam and Review of Systems
Pre-sedation Assessment Overview: Parts of the Assessment - correct-answer -1.
NPO Status
2. Chief complaint
3. Current medications
4. Drug allergies
5. H/O substance abuse
6. Concurrent medical problems
7. Communication Ability
How is Aspiration Risk Reduced - correct-answer -1. Pre-procedure fasting--
Defined as no food for 6 hours prior to procedure. May have clear fluids until 2h
prior to procedure.
2. Medication is titrated to maintain reflexes
What conditions place patient's at enhanced risks for aspiration with sedation? -
correct-answer -1. Obesity
