Recovery After Procedural Sedation (Adult)
You have been given medicine by vein to make you sleep during your procedure. This may have included both a pain medicine and sleeping medicine. You may have side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, or unsteadiness for up to 24 hours. You may also feel lightheaded.
Home care
Follow these guidelines when you get home:
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For the next 8 or more hours, ask a trusted adult to watch over you. This person should make sure your condition is not getting worse, watch for problems, and keep you safe.
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Don't drink any alcohol for the next 24 hours.
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Don't drive, operate dangerous machinery, or make important business or personal decisions during the next 24 hours.
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Take extra care when walking and moving, You may be at a higher risk of falling.
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Follow any instructions you were given for eating and drinking.
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Be sure to follow all after-care directions.
Note: Your healthcare provider may tell you not to take any medicine by mouth for pain or sleep in the next 4 hours. These medicines may react with the medicines you were given in the hospital. This could cause a much stronger response than usual.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised.
When to seek medical advice
Have someone call your healthcare provider or seek medical care right away if any of these occur:
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Drowsiness gets worse
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Weakness or dizziness gets worse
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Repeated vomiting
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Your speech is slurred, and others cannot understand you.
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Severe or ongoing pain from the procedure that's not eased by the pain medicine (if prescribed)
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Fever
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New rash
Call 911
Have someone call 911 if you develop any of these symptoms:
Online Medical Reviewer:
Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Sravani Chintapalli
Date Last Reviewed:
4/1/2024
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