Emergency situations can be challenging, especially if patients are agitated, distressed and feel that they cannot breathe.
Would you use sedation in these circumstances?
To make that decision, in each emergency situation, you must think about the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of sedation
If patients are sedated, they are more likely to tolerate airway interventions, especially if distressed.
Sometimes, anxiety and distress can mean the patient cannot be properly assessed. Judicious sedation can help in these circumstances.
Disadvantages of sedation
We are dealing with difficult airways with these patients. A spontaneously breathing and oxygenated patient is a stable situation, albeit perhaps temporary. This should allow the time to assemble the personnel and equipment to safely manage the patient. In some cases, transfer to a theatre or similarly equipped area may be justified.
Sedation has the potential to suppress or stop spontaneous respiration. Therefore, you must assess the risks before you make the decision to sedate patients, so you can manage their airways and ventilate adequately.