noun
sedation
sih-DAY-shun/sɪˈdeɪʃn/
The use or effect of medication to produce calm or reduced consciousness.
The patient rests drowsily under the nurse's observation after receiving sedation.
Etymology
The pieces express the process of making calm. Earlier uses included alleviating pain and quieting; the selected medical sense applies that calming process to the effects of a drug.
In context
pain is controlled with analgesics sedation may be also employed for keeping the patient comfortable and and to allow to sleep
More examples
- Some patients remain awake under mild sedation.
- The nurse monitors his breathing during sedation.
- She needs someone to drive her home after sedation.
Forms
Similar words
- tranquilization
- Emphasizes calming agitation rather than reducing a person's consciousness.
- anesthesia
- Blocks sensation or pain, sometimes also causing unconsciousness.