title: Sedation in the critically ill patient.
abstract: Critically ill patients experience many unpleasant and frightening events while in an ICU. Appropriate concern for pain, discomfort, and anxiety is required from caregivers. The use of reassuring mannerisms, honest communication, and analgesics and sedatives, especially during therapeutic paralysis, improves patient comfort and reduces the morbidity rate. This article reviews the therapeutic options for sedation and experience with these agents in the critically ill.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Durbin
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001463:Barbiturates; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines