Page 2490 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

acting alpha-adrenergic agonists
(dexmedetomidine).
3. Propofol
a. Propofol is contained in glass and is a
white milky substance. It is a lipid
emulsion substance with a short half-
life that can be easily titrated because it
is rapidly eliminated from the body,
within 30 minutes.
b. Opiates should be added for pain
control and amnesic effects, because
propofol does not produce amnesia.
c. Propofol-related infusion syndrome
causing metabolic acidosis, muscular
weakness, rhabdomyolysis,
myoglobinuria, acute kidney injury,
and cardiac dysrhythmias has been
known to occur.
d. Propofol is conducive to bacterial
growth; therefore, infusion sets should
be changed every 6 to 12 hours.
4. Dexmedetomidine
a. Dexmedetomidine is used as a short-
term sedative (24 hours or less) in
mechanically ventilated clients.
b. This medication causes sedation and
analgesic effects and allows for clients
to be minimally interactive while
sedated. It can still be used even after
extubation to help with anxiety related
to weaning.
c. It is eliminated from the body within 2
hours, or dramatically longer in the
case of liver failure.
5. Agitation
a. A hyperactive state that results in
movements ranging from slight
restlessness to pulling out lines or
tubes or physical aggression.
b. Common causes include pain, anxiety,
delirium, hypoxia, ventilator
dyssychrony, neurological injury,
uncomfortable position, full bladder,
sleep deprivation, alcohol withdrawal,
sepsis, medication reaction, and organ
failure.
c. Assessed using RASS, and the goal is to
treat the cause rather than

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