Glossary term
Sedation
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
The administration of sedative drugs to reduce anxiety, discomfort, and awareness during a medical or surgical procedure without inducing full general anaesthesia, with the patient remaining responsive to verbal commands. Levels of sedation range from minimal (anxiolysis) through moderate (conscious sedation) to deep sedation, and the degree used is matched to the invasiveness of the procedure.