Can someone explain "monitoring conscious sedation"

[mitchell79]

I am studying for the NCLEX by each section and I am on Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk and one of the subject areas is "monitoring conscious sedation" what is that?

[bodz01]

Patients who receive conscious sedation usually are able to speak and respond to verbal cues throughout the procedure, communicating any discomfort they experience to the provider. In "monitoring conscious sedation,", it simply means that you monitor the patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, level of consciousness, and, most important, the oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. The oxygen saturation is the most sensitive parameter affected during increased levels of conscious sedation. Vital signs and other pertinent recordings must be monitored before the start of the administration of medications, and then at a minimum of every five minutes thereafter until the procedure is completed. After the procedure has been completed, monitoring should continue every 15 minutes for the first hour after the last dose of medication(s) was administered. After the first hour, monitoring can continue as needed.

hope this helps. good luck!