https://paulnystrom.com/tags/sedation/Recent content in Sedation on Paul NystromHugoen-usThu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/pain-is-temporary/Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/pain-is-temporary/<p>I think that’s one of the hardest things for patients to understand. Kids in particular have a hard time with this. I had to relocate a dislocated shoulder for a 15-year-old girl who was in a lot of pain. She had dislocated her shoulder during swimming practice. She was very anxious, but she was also very anxious about us placing an IV or giving her pain medicine before we pulled on her shoulder. Her shoulder was clearly hurting. The sooner we can get it back in place, the better.</p>https://paulnystrom.com/posts/eating-in-the-er/Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/eating-in-the-er/<p>When you arrive at the ER, it’s standard practice to prohibit eating or drinking until a doctor has evaluated you. This rule likely exists because sedation for a procedure or surgery is considered higher risk if you have a full stomach. However, this policy is not always practical, as the vast majority of ER patients do not require acute surgery, procedures, or sedation. It’s reasonable to ask the nurse checking you in if you can have something to eat or drink. Their answer will likely be no, but it’s also reasonable to politely ask if they can consult the doctor rather than provide a blanket response. Depending on whom you’re speaking with, this request may meet resistance. There may be reluctance to allow eating or drinking because, at the start of your visit, the only information available is your vitals and a triage note from the nurse.</p>