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Moderate (Conscious) Sedation — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Keeps protective airway reflexes

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Moderate (Conscious) Sedation on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Def

Key facts

Depressed consciousness, responds to voice
Airway reflexes intact

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Drugs

Key numbers

Midazolam + fentanyl common
Reversal: flumazenil, naloxone ready

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Do

Nursing actions

Continuous O2 sat + ECG
Crash cart, suction at bedside
RN monitors, MD does procedure

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Report

Notify / act now

O2 sat < 90% → notify
Apnea / loss of reflexes

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Quick Tip

The patient retains protective reflexes, breathes independently, and responds purposefully to verbal commands and light touch.

📖 Related Topics

Digoxin Toxicity Heparin Therapy Warfarin Therapy Acetaminophen Poisoning in Children

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