Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
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Intravenous sedation is routinely administered for endoscopic examinations to help alleviate patient anxiety and discomfort. The goal of moderate sedation is to provide patient comfort to facilitate the completion of the procedure. ⋯ Propofol is a rapid acting sedative-hypnotic that produces the desired level of consciousness without the residual sedative effect that often persists with the use of benzodiazepines and analgesics. This article reviews current literature regarding the use of propofol for sedation of patients in the endoscopy setting, and highlights the trends in research that may impact future nursing practice.