Abstract

Emergence delirium (ED) is a common problem in the pediatric population following general anesthesia. The condition is defined as a state of mental disturbance characterized by non-purposeful movements, agitation, and possible dissociation. Concern for ED is even greater in children with disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist with sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects that promote optimal emergence from anesthesia in pediatric patients.

A 10-year-old male with ASD and ADHD presented for complete dental restoration. The patient's initial demeanor was calm but progressed to anxious upon transport to the operating room. Following inhalation induction, general anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane end-tidal concentration 2.5%. Dexmedetomidine 16 mcg IV was administered at the end of the procedure over a 20-minute period. The patient was assessed in the PACU using the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale. The patient's PAED score was less than necessary to identify ED.

Is dexmedetomidine an effective drug for prevention of ED in high-risk pediatric patients with ASD and ADHD?

Author Details

Olivia Hennessy, BSN and Terri Cahoon, DNP, CRNA

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Emergence Delirium, Dexmedetomidine, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Advisor

Cahoon, Terri

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Samford University

Degree Year

2023

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2023-02-14

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